Let’s dreamcast the X-Men before they appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
By Daniel Roman
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 10: Actor Ray Stevenson arrives for the Premiere Of Disney And Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” held on October 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
18. Ray Stevenson as Magneto
It’s a testament to how vast the MCU is that not only has Ray Stevenson already appeared in it (playing Volstagg in the second and third Thor films), but he was killed off before getting to show off his incredible acting abilities. I’m not sure how to justify bringing Stevenson back and in a different role…but the man is too good of an actor to let go to waste. He would absolutely dominate the screen as Erik Lehnsherr, a.k.a. Magneto.
Come check out the latest issue of X-Men! Issue 11, this is a tie in issue for the Empyre event and it’s awesome! #magneto #Marvel #marvelcomics #Empyre https://t.co/qHpkgatDC1 pic.twitter.com/6NIkJbCTAN
— Comic Breakdown (@BreakdownComic) August 26, 2020
The arch-nemesis of the X-Men and Charles Xavier’s own dark mirror, Magneto is always scheming and coming up with new plans to make mutants the dominant species on Earth. He can control metal, which might not sound all that impressive until you see the sheer variety of ways he can use that power. He is one of the most versatile and powerful mutants in the series, and since he also happens to be Wanda Maximoff’s father, it’s a good bet we’ll be seeing him on the big screen again soon.
Fans have been blessed with many great Magneto moments in movies over the years. He was played by Ian McKellan in the original movies and Michael Fassbender in the First Class generation, and both actors put their own exceptional stamp on the character.
Could Stevenson do the same? Well, you watch this clip of him being ominous and terrifying as Blackbeard in Black Sails and you tell me:
Ray Stevenson has played a lot of (for lack of a better descriptor) villains with sensibilities. During his time on Black Sails, he left an enormous mark as Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Then there’s his role as Ukranian Gangster Isaak Sirko on Dexter, and his time as antihero Frank Castle in The Punisher: War Zone. He clearly has the chops to handle a role like Magneto, and is more physically imposing than either Fassbender or McKellan.
All that is to say, he’s not a Magneto the X-Men would want to mess with…which sounds like a good time at the movies to me!