Patrick Stewart’s Final Movie Is ‘Avengers: Doomsday’; He Said Before His Death That ‘I Can’t Imagine Retiring. I’ll Forever Be an Actor’

Patrick Stewart‘s final movie role will be in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” which marks his ninth time playing the “X-Men” character Charles Xavier on the big screen. Marvel Studios confirmed the news in their tribute to the late actor, who died at 86 years old after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

“Stewart made his debut as Professor X in 2000’s ‘X-Men,’ where he embodied the composure, class, and wisdom of the beloved telepathic mutant and mentor of the X-Men,” Marvel Studios wrote in a tribute. “For more than 25 years, he brought a gravitas and profundity to the [character]… He returned to the role once more with 2026’s ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ his final on-screen appearance.”

In between “X-Men” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” Stewart popped up as Charles Xavier in various Marvel sequels, prequels and reboots such as 2003’s “X2: X-Men United,” 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand,” 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” 2013’s “The Wolverine,” 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and 2017’s acclaimed “Logan.” The role, along with Captain Picard in the “Star Trek” franchise, will go down as Stewart’s most iconic screen character.

“We lost one of the greats of stage and screen today,” Stewart’s longtime “X-Men” co-star Hugh Jackman wrote on Instagram in a tribute. “And, in my book, a tremendous friend and man. I learned so much from him. I will miss you, Patrick Stewart, all of my days.”

In one of Stewart’s now-final interviews published by TV Insider in July, the actor spoke about his decision to return as Charles Xavier in “Avengers: Doomsday” and told fans that he would never “retire” from acting.

“As any actor my age will tell you, there are fewer and fewer available roles as we get older. That being said, I still continue to receive interesting offers and I love being challenged by new work,” Stewart said at the time. “I can’t imagine ever officially retiring. I’ll always and forever be an actor.”

Marvel Studios put out its own statement mourning the loss of Stewart by saying the company is “deeply saddened” by his passing, adding: “Sir Patrick brought Professor Charles Xavier to life with extraordinary grace, intelligence, and humanity, defining the character for generations of fans, from ‘X- Men’ to ‘Logan’ to ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ He was a singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman.”

“We’ve been lucky enough to work with some of our childhood heroes. And Sir Patrick Stewart will always be one of them,” added “Avengers: Doomsday” directors Joe and Anthony Russo in their own statement. “A legendary actor with an unmistakeable presence, and an unmatched integrity. Thank you for entertaining all of us, sir. And for teaching us humanity, both on and off the screen.”

“Avengers: Doomsday” opens in theaters Dec. 18 from Disney and Marvel Studios.