Summary
Several originalX-Menfilm cast members are joiningAvengers: Doomsday.One of them has compared their character to Martin Luther King Jr.
Like theAvengers, theX-Menare a renowned team of superheroes in Marvel Comics. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby co-created both the Avengers and X-Men, with each team debuting in September 1963. However, the X-Men are more popular among comic fans, while the Avengers are more beloved in mainstream pop culture thanks to theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU). Both teams will appear inAvengers: Doomsday,and one of theX-MenOGs spoke about their mutant character and their likeness to one of the most prominent leaders and activists in history.
Kelsey Grammer recently appeared onThe Jamie Kern Lima Show.Grammer portrays Hank McCoy, aka Beast, in Fox’sX-Menmovies. Since he is joining Marvel Studios' upcoming Avengers film, he was asked about his superhero character, and the actor said he loved and enjoyed portraying Beast on screen. Grammer is proud to play the character, whom he found to be “stalwart, upright, serious-minded, decent man.” He added that Beast reminded him of Martin Luther King Jr., a legendary American Baptist minister, activist, and civil rights leader. Grammer said of hisX-Mencharacter:
I think of him as being the Martin Luther King of the mutants. He’s got a dignity and a dream, and is willing to fight for it — but slow to action in terms of fighting.
Grammer added that despite Beast being a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, the mutant would prefer not to fight. And if he had to, it would be “swift and severe.” “You know, give no quarter, expect none. And I like that about him,” Grammer added. TheWanted Mandebuted as Beast inX-Men: The Last Stand(2006). He reprised the role inX-Men: Days of Future Past(2014) and in the post-credits scene ofThe Marvels(2023). Grammer will be playing the beloved character inDoomsday. “He’s a man who studies good and does his best to live by that, and I like that,” he added.
Beast Isn’t Usually The X-Men Character Compared With Martin Luther King Jr., But The Comparison Is Apt
Grammer comparingBeastwith Martin Luther King is interesting, especially considering fans have often compared Professor X and Magneto with MLK and Malcolm X. Yes, Beast has some similarities with the late civil rights leader as both are intelligent and morally principled leaders who advocate for justice and equality. Beast is committed to coexisting with humans despite being discriminated for his beast-like appearance. He is an ardent advocate for nonviolence despite being endowed with superhuman agility, intellect, and combat skills. King also advocated for peaceful protest when he fought for equality and human rights for African Americans. The pair shares the same principles about welcoming change through peace, not force, and preserving dignity amid adversity.
Grammer’s portrayal of Beast has received mostly positive reviews from fans. Many are excited to see him inAvengers: Doomsday. His brief appearance inThe Marvelsreignited excitement, and having him in the upcomingAvengersmovie is more than welcome. Also, it will be nostalgic forX-Menfans because Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) and James Marsden (Cyclops) are joining him in the anticipated MCU tentpole.
