The X-Men Universe will recast its performers form time-to-time to better suit the plot of its next installment. As a result, a fresh take on these X-Men’s backstories, motivations, and their development are explored. Nevertheless, there is one character who, while recast once, has also had his original performer remain in the X-Men Universe: Professor X. Portrayed by both Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy, audiences have gotten a nuanced illustration of the most revered X-Men. Here is the evolution of Professor X through each film.

X-Men (2000)

     20th Century Studios

Professor X’s first onscreen appearance is nearly identical to the X-Men: the Animated Series characterization. Wise, intelligent, and a mediator between mutants and humans, Professor X is the voice of reason in the first X-Men installment. Unfortunately, his development is somewhat stunted when he is temporarily put in a coma by Magneto’s machinations.

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X2: X-Men United (2003)

     20th Century Fox

Professor X has a more prominent role in X2: X-Men United. After being captured by Stryker’s minions, Stryker uses his mutant son, Jason, to manipulate Professor X into using a second Cerebro to telepathically destroy every mutant on Earth. While Professor X is freed from his brainwashing before he can commit the act, Stryker’s plan reiterates Professor X’s power– unbound, it can destroy an entire race.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

X-Men: The Last Stand shows a more conflicted side to Professor X. As audiences get an insight into Jean Grey’s backstory, it’s revealed Professor X has been containing her true power for decades, knowing its full force could wipe out the entire planet. Guilt-ridden when Jean Grey becomes Phoenix, Professor X confronts her and apologizes for his past mishandling of her strength–only to be destroyed by Jean.

X-Men First Class (2011)

     20th Century Fox 

X-Men: First Class gives audiences a thorough backstory to Professor X. Set in the early ’60s, this film follows Professor X and Raven Darkholme as they meet fellow mutants amidst political unrest. A war against time ensues between the newly formed X-Men as they attempt to stop Sebastian Shaw from prompting a third world war. While the X-Men succeed, it’s at a price as Professor X ends up wheelchair bound, and Erik Lehnsherr joins Hellfire to seek vengeance against humans.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

X-Men: Days of Future Past is a rare treat for X-Men fans as they get to see just about every movie incarnation of their favorite mutants, including both James McAvoy’s Professor X and Patrick Stewart’s older version of the character. McAvoy’s Professor X is dealing with the aftermath of X-Men: First Class, nihilistic towards life given his wheelchair-bound state. Meanwhile, the future Professor X struggles to keep the remaining X-Men alive as Logan travels back in time to stop the catastrophic event that leads to the Sentinels uprising. Professor X undergoes several emotional trials throughout this film; from being a jaded hero coming to terms with his condition, doing what’s right once again, to his older version’s demise at the hands of the Sentinels. X-Men: Days of Future Past gives viewers a fleshed-out depiction of Professor’s X’s journey from beginning to end.

X-Men: Apocalypse

X-Men: Apocalypse reintroduces audiences to the classic X-Men heroes from the original couple of films, and some new ones as well. Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Jubilee are all being trained by Professor X, who has reopened The Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters as a safe haven for any mutants seeking assistance with their powers. While X-Men: The Last Stand dabbles into Jean Grey’s backstory, X-Men: Apocalypse has a different take on it, where instead of containing Jean’s powers, Professor X guides her to unlock them to defeat Apocalypse. This incarnation of Professor X is the perfect combination of James McAvoy’s and Patrick Stewart’s respective characterizations.

Logan (2017)

Logan gives a somber look into the X-Men universe. Living in a post-apocalyptic world, Logan struggles with life as his powers are diminishing while Professor X is unable to control his. Suffering from recurring seizures, Professor X has killed countless humans and X-Men in the wake of his episodes. It’s disheartening to see Professor X transition from one of the most contained mutant forces into a withering being with virtually no self-control. This is also the one instance where Professor X is killed indefinitely, finishing his journey as a tragic X-Men superhero.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix

X-Men: Dark Phoenix has Professor X turned from hero to villain in the eyes of his X-Men allies. This film focuses on Jean Grey’s journey from the repressed X-Men afraid of her powers into the destructive force, Phoenix. As more of her backstory is explored, the X-Men question whether Professor X’s actions were more destructive than helpful, holding him directly responsible for Jean’s actions and causing a divide between them. By the film’s conclusion, audiences are left with the universal message that superheroes, above all, are still imperfect, flawed beings.

Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness

     Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness gives audiences a Professor X entirely separate from any of his previous incarnations. This time around, Professor X is part of the Illuminati; a group that attempts to stop Wanda Maximoff’s murder spree across the multiverse. Professor X meets his demise at the hands of Maximoff, and considering every prior Professor X incarnation, this one feels like a poorly handled way to introduce Professor X to the MCU.