James McAvoy Wants to 'Bury' Patrick Stewart's X-MEN Performance

The Conspirator star shares his thoughts about stepping into Stewart's shoes as Professor Xavier in X-Men: First Class as well as the 'fun' behind making the prequel.

Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class, which predates the previously released X-Men films, tells the story of Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Micheal Fassbender) before their respective hero and villain days. Currently filming in the United Kingdom, the movie is a theatrical release date of June 3rd, 2011. During a recent interview with MTV News, McAvoy lightly joked about his role's predecessor, Patrick Stewart, and why he decided to take on the part:

"I'm basically going to try and bury Patrick's performance [laughs]. I think the fun about these films, when you go back and you either reboot or do a prequel, is you get to see how people became who they are. That means that you have to do them differently and by the end of the movie you have to do them the same way. The interesting journey is what happens to them, what changes them, what makes them evolve — not just mutate, but emotionally and psychologically evolve."

Though hesitant to share any specific details about the production, he did confirm earlier claims from the film's producer, Bryan Singer, about his character's physical appearance:

"They wanted me to have hair...They didn't want me to go bald and I walk as well.

"I would suggest by the end of the movie and the start of the next movie, it'll be more like what Patrick does. Or maybe not. Maybe it will still be in a period of flux, if there is a new movie."

X-Men: First Class is scheduled to continue filming in the UK for several weeks before moving stateside. The first, leaked set pictures from the production showcased Mad Men starlet January Jones in full Emma Frost/White Queen regalia.