‘X-Men’ fans around the world can lower their heads in sadness, as fan-favorites Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen will not be returning to play Professor Xavier and Magneto in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse.’ In a recent interview with Larry King on Hulu, King asked Stewart about the upcoming film, and this was his response:

“No. Nor Sir Ian McKellen, either… I was learning quite a lot more about it last night, and it is going to be looking very much at the earlier lives of all our characters. And so I don’t think we’ll be making an appearance.”

To see the full clip, check it out below:

The move to remove the elder actors from the movie is not completely un-expected, as the new chapter for the ‘X-Men’ will continue to take place in the past (this time the 1980s), and we already have two young actors playing younger versions of Professor X and Magneto, and both Fassbender and McAvoy have proven quite adept at the roles in the past two films. Plus with the relatively recent news about Singer’s search for actors to play younger versions of most of the original cast so Cyclops, Storms and Jean Grey could play a major role in the film, it was seen as all too likely that the film would not skew too much into the future, definitely not enough to call back all the original cast members again as was the case in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past.’

Still, it is sad, as McKellan and Stewart have been involved in almost every ‘X-Men’ film, the only character to make more appearances than them being Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, who many see as the main face of the franchise. And to director Bryan Singer’s credit, he did give the original cast, including Stewart and McKellen, a fine send-off in the last film, with everyone returning one last time together in a future fixed by the events of the film.

‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ will be released on May 27, 2016, until then, check back here for any news related to the production.

Source:Screenra Rant, ComicBook.com