Sir Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Stewart thought his "'X-Men' days were over".
The actor is set to reprise his role as Professor Charles Xavier in the upcoming blockbuster 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' - which will unite the casts of the original 'X-Men' trilogy and 2011 prequel 'X-Men: First Class' - and he admits he didn't think he would play the role again after his character was seemingly killed off in 2006's 'X-Men: The Last Stand'.
Speaking to fans at Comicpalooza in Houston, Texas last week, he said: "It's been six or seven years since 'X-Men 3', where you will recall that Charles Xavier was vaporised by Jean Grey. And you're asking yourselves, 'If you were vaporized, how can you be in the next 'X-Men' movie?' "
After an audience member offered up the theory of time travel owing to his character's miraculous return to the superhero franchise, he said: "Yeah, that's exactly it. I guess. There will be an explanation, but it was a little puzzling for me because I thought my 'X-Men' days were over. So it's something to look forward to."
Stewart also heaped praise on the forthcoming film - which will be directed by 'X-Men' and 'X2' director Bryan Singer - and believes it could be the biggest film of 2014.
He said: "I think it is going to certainly be the 'X-Men' of all 'X-Men' pictures, and one doesn't want to tempt fate, but perhaps also the blockbuster of 2014."
'X-Men: Days of Future Past' will feature an all-star cast including Sir Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Jennifer Lawrence, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Nicholas Hoult.
Filming is currently under way in Montreal, Canada for a July 2014 release.