X-Men: Apocalypse: Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellen Not Returning

Patrick Stewart has confirmed that he won’t be reprising his role as Professor Charles Xavier in 2016’s ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’.

Stewart also revealed that his friend and co-star in four ‘X-Men’ movies Ian McKellan won’t be back as Magneto either.

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The veteran actor made the comments during an interview with Larry King (via our US cousins), who asked directly if he’d be in the Bryan Singer follow-up to ‘Days of Future Past’.

"No. Nor Sir Ian McKellen, either," he said. "I was learning quite a lot more about it last night, and it is going to be looking very much at the earlier lives of all our characters.

"And so I don’t think we’ll be making an appearance."

It appears then that time-travel adventure ‘Days of Future Past’ was the final appearence of both actors in the iconic roles. It was assumed that would be the case before the film released, but during the early days following ‘Apocalypse’s announcement it was suggested they may well appear.

'Apocalypse' will focus on the younger cast introduced in prequel 'First Class' whose timeline was changed by the events of last year's sequel - effectively retconning the first three X-Films.

Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Jackman will return in the 80s-set film, alongside debutant Channing Tatum as Gambit and three new actors taking up the important roles of Jean Grey, Cyclops and Storm.

Last week new actors were added to the long list of young stars who have tested and are interested in the roles.

The mutant team will be faced with a new threat in the form of Oscar Isaac’s ancient mutant En Sabah Nur, otherwise known as Apocalypse.

'X-Men: Apocalypse' is set for release on 19 May 2016.

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Picture credits: 20th Century Fox.