James McAvoy Reflects on How ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Sparked Superhero Mashup Trend

Today, superhero films frequently incorporate elements like multiverses, time travel, and legacy casts, as seen in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. However, one franchise laid the groundwork for this trend years ago, with ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ consistently referenced in discussions about crossover films.

Released in 2014 and directed by Bryan Singer, the film united the casts of ‘X-Men: First Class’ and the original trilogy. It featured Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine traveling back in time to avert a mutant genocide, adapting a classic comic storyline from 1981 by Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin. Producer Simon Kinberg noted that time travel served as the mechanism to connect both casts while maintaining their distinct timelines.

For James McAvoy, this film offered a unique opportunity to share the screen with the actor whose role he had taken over. He stepped into the role of Charles Xavier in ‘First Class’ after Patrick Stewart portrayed the character in the original trilogy, and ‘Days of Future Past’ allowed both interpretations to coexist in one narrative. Besides Jackman, McAvoy was the only actor from ‘First Class’ to share scenes with a member of the original cast.

Recently, McAvoy reflected on the film’s significance in the history of comic book adaptations. During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast, he remarked that the film seemed to arrive “right at the beginning of all these mashups,” praising the filmmakers for their execution.

However, he admitted that he had reservations at first. According to ComicBook.com, McAvoy expressed concern going into the project, as ‘First Class’ had taken a different creative direction. He felt that returning to the tone of Singer’s earlier X-Men films was a misstep at the time, but he now acknowledges that he was mistaken and regards the final product as incredible.

This isn’t the first time he has shared this perspective. At a New York Comic Con panel last year, McAvoy highlighted how the film was among the first to explore timeline and cross-universe storytelling. He was careful to avoid taking credit, noting that he neither wrote nor directed the film, and he considers it a toss-up between this movie and ‘First Class’ as his favorite.

His viewpoint is widely supported. Screen Rant pointed out that the franchise delved into alternate timelines and legacy cast returns long before the MCU adopted similar concepts. ComicBook.com characterized the film as a forerunner to later crossover blockbusters like ‘Avengers: Infinity War’.

McAvoy’s experience on set was also unique. He previously mentioned that his time with Stewart overlapped for just one day, although they did share a scene. He spent significantly more time filming alongside Jackman and Nicholas Hoult.

These comments come as the MCU continues to draw on that same X-Men legacy. Marvel has confirmed the return of Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, and Channing Tatum as Gambit for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, set to release on Dec. 18.

McAvoy is not among the confirmed X-Men actors. Marvel insider Alex Perez expressed skepticism about the ‘First Class’ cast returning, indicating that there has been no mention of their involvement. SuperHeroHype noted that this makes McAvoy’s return as Professor X unlikely, though it remains an unverified rumor.

For fans, the irony is palpable. An actor who once viewed the sequel as a misstep now recognizes it as a foundational piece for the mashup era. ComicBook.com also suggested that the decline in acclaim and box office for ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘Dark Phoenix’ makes ‘Days of Future Past’ appear even more impressive by comparison.

Regardless of whether McAvoy returns to the MCU, his reflections serve as a reminder of how much of today’s multiverse narrative framework can be traced back to that 2014 film.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!