'X-Men' Movie Series Latest News: Patrick Stewart Announces Retirement From Superhero Franchise
English actor Patrick Stewart has recently revealed that he is retiring from the "X-Men" movie franchise.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor made the announcement during a SiriusXM Town Hall event last week, appearing alongside "Logan" director and co-writer James Mangold and lead actor Hugh Jackman. The actor said that the new superhero film "Logan" will be the last time he will be playing the psychic and mutant leader Professor Charles Xavier.
"Last week we were at a screening in Berlin sitting next to each other and when it got to the very emotional ending and I noticed Hugh wipe away a tear, then I did the same and during the credits he held my hand and I was done, I was weeping and sobbing," the 76-year-old said on "The Graham Norton Show," which aired on Friday, Feb. 24.
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"While the credits were rolling I realized that if it was the end, there was no more perfect and beautiful way to say, 'au revoir, goodbye, adios.' So I think it is the end for me too. Why would I want to have another go of it after what we have done in this movie?"
Stewart first played Professor Charles Xavier – also known as Professor X – in the 2000 movie "X-Men." For the next 17 years, the actor reprised the role in 2003's "X-Men 2," 2006's "X-Men: The Last Stand," 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," 2013's "The Wolverine," 2014's "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and this year's "Logan."
The "Star Trek: The Next Generation" actor is not the only one who will be retiring from his superhero role after his performance in "Logan." Jackman also previously revealed that the 2017 movie "Logan" will be his last portrayal of the immortal mutant superhero Wolverine.
"Logan" is scheduled to hit theaters in the United Kingdom on March 1 and the United States on March 3.
