Marvel’s Best Magneto Casting Choice Can Help Fix A Major MCU Representation Problem

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe will eventually include a new version of the X-Men, and the best possible choice for the classic anti-villain Magneto would solve a major franchise-wide issue for the MCU. 2000’s X-Men, along with 1998’s Blade and 2002’s Spider-Man, were key movies in the superhero genre, proving that comic book adaptations could address serious real-world issues and include naturalistic characters while simultaneously being faithful to the source material. Fox’s X-Men, while not as successful as the MCU, was a long-running franchise with loyal viewership, in part due to its iterations of characters like Wolverine and Magneto.

According to Kevin Feige, the MCU is expected to introduce mutants – and likely a dedicated X-Men adaptation – following Avengers: Secret Wars, which will conclude the Multiverse Saga (Phases 4 through 6). There will be, of course, high expectations for the MCU’s version of the X-Men, given the impact of the original Fox franchise and the highly comic-faithful X-Men: The Animated Series (and sequel series, X-Men ’97). Easily one of the most important X-Men characters is Magneto, whose MCU actor and in-universe lore can potentially help fix a major MCU problem concerning representation.

Marvel Has Long Struggled With Jewish Representation In The MCU

Although the MCU prides itself on representing minorities and marginalized people in its film and TV properties, the franchise has struggled with Jewish representation. Avengers: Age of Ultron whitewashed Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, rewriting the half-Jewish, half-Romani duo as members of the Nazi-affiliated Hydra terrorist group and only casting a Jewish actor as Pietro (who dies in the film). Even more shameful was the Moon Knight TV series, which lacked Jewish cast and crew members and omitted nearly all the meaningful Jewish background of its protagonist, Mark Spektor – one of Marvel’s few prominent Jewish heroes.

The MCU is seemingly making small steps toward tasteful Jewish representation in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, though these efforts are arguably too little, too late. Sabra – played by Israeli actress Shira Haas – will have her background extensively rewritten and the Sabra alias omitted. The Thing (Ben Grimm) will be played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who already portrayed Micro (David Lieberman) in the MCU’s The Punisher TV series. Whether either character’s Jewish identity is depicted tastefully remains to be seen.

The X-Men comics include several of Marvel’s most prominent Jewish characters, so the MCU will need to begin taking Jewish representation far more seriously. In addition to the iconic X-Men member Kitty Pryde, this also includes Magneto (Max Eisenhardt). While Magneto was the first villain to battle the X-Men in their 1963 debut, his origin was revealed and his characterization was vastly expanded by writer Chris Claremont – who is half-Jewish and spent part of his upbringing in Israel.

Claremont established Magneto’s past as a Jewish Holocaust survivor who would later move to Israel and work as a Mossad agent. Magneto’s first meeting with Charles Xavier was in Haifa, Israel, where the two treated traumatized Holocaust survivors. Moreover, Chris Claremont specifically cited the first Israeli Prime Minister – David Ben-Gurion – as his real-world inspiration for Charles Xavier and Israel’s sixth Prime Minster – Menachem Begin – as the inspiration for Magneto. Given how essential Magneto’s Jewish background is to his characterization, it is imperative that the MCU makes a greater effort than usual to properly represent Jewish identity, in his case.

Jason Isaacs Would Be The Perfect MCU Magneto Casting Choice

There are plenty of talented Jewish actors who could portray Magneto well, but perhaps none are as perfect for the role as Jason Isaacs. Isaacs has a long filmography of roles both heroic and villainous and has acted in major franchises, from Harry Potter to Star Wars. Magneto is an extremely complicated character who would best be described as an anti-villain (and occasional anti-hero), who is equal parts intimidating and charismatic. Jason Isaacs has the talent to bring unprecedented complexity and authenticity to the role in the MCU.

Marvel Has No Excuse To Skip Magneto’s Comic Origin

Magneto’s background as a Holocaust survivor would seemingly make him too old to be the main villain of the X-Men in the modern day, but Black Panther: Wakanda Forever provided the perfect fix for this. The MCU’s Namor is a mutant like his comic counterpart, and the film gives him enhanced longevity in addition to his other powers, allowing him to remain in his prime for centuries. This same mutant power of longevity can and should be applied to Magneto, as the MCU now has no excuse to omit his background as a Holocaust survivor in its eventual X-Men adaptation.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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