Wolverine 3 Star Teases Professor X's Fate [SPOILERS]

While Patrick Stewart had been rumoured to be returning to the X-Men franchise in Wolverine 3 for some time, his involvement was only confirmed in June when production on the film began. Now the actor has been talking about reprising his role as Professor X, and what the future holds for the character. Warning, potential spoilers ahead!

Speaking to ITV News, Stewart hinted that this could be his last appearance in the blockbuster superhero series. "I would imagine this is probably the end of this franchise for me," he revealed. "But the thing about science fiction and fantasy is that you can never, ever say it's the end, it's over."

Stewart went on to admit that dying in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand wasn't the end for Professor X. "Jean Grey vaporised me," he said. "From which you would think there would be no return. But watch out in March. I'm going to be back."

The veteran star also teased that Wolverine 3 would reveal a side of his character previously unseen in earlier X-Men movies: "[You'll see] a very different Charles Xavier. Nothing like the Charles Xavier you've seen in the past."

Wolverine 3 is directed by James Mangold, who previously helmed 2013's The Wolverine, which went on to make more than $400 million worldwide. Hugh Jackman will play the clawed fan favourite for the last time, and unlike its predecessors, the movie will carry an R certificate. In an interview with Collider in May, producer Simon Kinberg described the film as "a very cool, different film."

"It's a very radical, bold, different Wolverine than you've ever seen in any of these [other] movies," he said. "It takes place in the future, and as you and others have reported, it is an R-rated movie. It's violent, it's kind of like a western in its tone."

Wolverine 3 hits theaters on March 3, 2017.