With Dark Phoenix behind them, Marvel Studios will eventually reboot the X-Men in the MCU. Once that happens, James Marsden has some tips for the next actor who takes over as Cyclops. Marsden portrayed Scott Summers/Cyclops in four X-Men films. While speaking to Collider, Marsden explained the greatest challenge for his successor.
“The biggest challenge was that, the audience and other actors never being able to see your eyes,” explained Marsden. “Definitely was a handicap in bringing a persona to the character, and an energy to the character. To a character who is also very, by nature, very by-the-books. Kind of a Boy Scout, ‘do the right thing.’ He’s a foil to Wolverine’s character, who is more fly by the seat of his pants, a little more unpredictable, and aggressive.”
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Marsden kept his advice simple.
“I would just say lean into it. Own it. And carve out your own thing. The fans of the books are going to tell you ‘it needs to be this’. Find a new way to make it interesting. Because it is tough to get something interesting and cool and different across when no one ever sees your eyes. Which is obviously, you know, the main part of the character.”
Marsden will play Sheriff Tom Wachowski in Sonic the Hedgehog next month. Following that, Marsden will portray Stu Redman in CBS All Access’ adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand.
What do you think about Marsden’s advice for the next big screen Cyclops? Let us know in the comments below!
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