Marvel has been in negotiations with Fox to get all of their properties back, including the X-Men. With the X-Men franchise already having such a rich history and still making blockbuster movies, integrating the characters into a new universe will prove to be a hefty task. All of the characters will seemingly be recast, and while the actors playing the roles now may seem perfect to some, there is always room for someone else to take over.

Wolverine: Liam McIntyre

Hugh Jackman being in the role of Wolverine for seventeen years has caused the general public to think he can’t be replaced, but if anyone can do it, I think it could be Liam McIntyre. He is most widely known for playing the role of Spartacus, which mean he’s in fantastic shape, and is used to doing physically demanding roles. McIntyre has the dark demeanor and gritty acting style that could make for a proper Wolverine, and just like Jackman, could go from a virtual unknown to a blockbuster movie star.

Professor X: Pip Torrens 

Just like Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, there may never be a Professor X as good as Patrick Stewart, but Pip Torrens is a good match. He’s a versatile actor with a booming and imposing voice, and really does bare a striking resemblance to the character. Just like McIntyre he’s not the most popular actor in the world, but Marvel is known for turning people into stars, and they could put some of that magic on Pip Torrens to make him an excellent MCU Charles Xavier.

Magneto: Ralph Fiennes

Unlike the previous two characters, I would dare to say that Ralph Fiennes could actually be better than the original Magento actor. While Sir Ian McKellen is obviously an acting legend, I think that Fiennes could actually be a better fit for the character, and give us the most comically accurate Magneto we’ve ever seen. He is experienced in playing sinister villains, he has the look for the character, and he’s a high profile actor that would fit comfortably into the MCU.

Cyclops: Tyler Hoechlin

Everyone has always seen Hoechlin as a darker actor, but his recent performance as the Man of Steel on Supergirl has me convinced that he’s cut out for the team leader of the X-Men. Even though he has played Superman, he has a slim build that would matchup well with Cyclops, and an imposing jawline that could define himself well under a visor. I think that he has potential as a straight shooting, serious leader, but could also give an excellent performance as jerky and damaged man. No matter what approach the MCU takes to Cyclops, I believe that Hoechlin would be extraordinary in the role.

Jean Grey: Bryce Dallas Howard

I mean, has there ever been a more perfect match? Ever since the original X-Men trilogy ended, Bryce Dallas Howard has been in the conversation to play Jean Grey, and it’s only fitting that Marvel uses that to their advantage. Howard would be perfect for playing the sweet and smart Jean Grey, but when it’s time for the gloves to come off as The Phoenix, she would be able to do just as well.

Storm: Meagan Good

While she’s no Halle Berry, Meagan Good has worked with some of the best actors in Hollywood, and could be good for a younger, more invigorated Storm. She has a good head on her shoulders when it comes to taking and performing in roles, and I think that she could do well as a surrogate team leader. Just like Jackman and Stewart, no one might ever do as good of a job as Halle Berry, but is about the best second choice you can get.

Mystique: Anne Hathaway

After her performance as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, everyone on the planet would lose their minds if Hathaway played Mystique. Not only is she one of the most popular actresses on the planet, but she can play total femme fatale badasses. If she were to take the role, she could outperform the previous two incarnations of Mystique on every level, and soar Marvel’s X-Men to new heights.

Sabretooth: Pilou Asbæk

Asbæk has been in a handful of commercially successful movies, but you will undoubtedly know him as Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. In that role, he has shown some of the most convincing savagery I have ever seen, and I think that he could basically transfer the exact same character over Sabretooth. He’s rough around the edges, has a similar look to Liev Schreiber’s incarnation of the character, and could be the one of the darkest villains we’ve seen in X-Men yet.

Iceman: Dylan O’Brien

Dylan O’Brien is a fastly rising star who you may recognize from the Maze Runner franchise, and is an extremely popular actor among younger audiences. Not only is he an amazing action star that does all of his own stunts, but he has a great sense of humor, and could capture the dry sarcasm for which Bobby Drake is known. He would make an excellent addition to an X-Men movie and the MCU, but aside from that, he could make the best Iceman we have seen or ever will see.

Rogue: Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld is no southern bell, but she is an extraordinary young actress that has starred in her own films already, and could adapt herself into the perfect Rogue. Being so young, she’s not set in a certain acting style, and could learn to use a southern accent much better than Anna Paquin ever did. With a white streak in her hair she could could look exactly like Rogue does in the comics, and could improve upon the character exponentially.

What do you think? Who should play the X-Men in the MCU? Let me know at jacobcraig608@yahoo.com!