Kingsman's Taron Egerton reveals why he turned down X-Men role

Kingsman and Rocketman star Taron Egerton has revealed why he turned down playing Cyclops in Fox's X-Men prequel films, and the reason is not what you might expect.

In a radio interview with Sway's Universe, Egerton was asked about why he decided against the superhero role.

"I don't mind saying, that was a real thing. That was a real conversation," he began. "And, to be honest, I’ve never said this actually, the reason that conversation never went any further is because I didn't want to play a character for a potential series of movies where you don’t see my eyes.

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"For me, that – I felt instinctively and creatively that the eyes are the windows to the soul. I don't know how, I would find that challenging, and I just didn't find it an intriguing prospect.

“So it's not that they ever offered it to me, but there was a conversation. A real conversation that never went any further."

Tye Sheridan ended up playing Cyclops in X-Men Apocalypse and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

tye sheridan as cyclops in x men dark phoenix

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Meanwhile, Egerton will be reprising the role of Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin in the third Kingsman film (though technically the fourth instalment in the franchise including the prequel).

The actor recently gave fans an update about the sequel movie, suggesting that filming begins next year.

“My understanding is that we are to be shooting the third instalment in my saga I believe next year," he said on the Jess Cagle Podcast with Julia Cunningham. "But you know, don't listen to what I say because I don't really know. You know, they're grown-up decisions."

Eggsy's mentor Harry Hart, played by Colin Firth, looks set to return as well.

Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The King's Man are available to watch on Disney+.

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Shivani Dubey is a freelance writer covering entertainment, culture, social trends and lifestyle. She has been published in Vice, Vogue India, Refinery29, Mashable, i-D, Little White Lies, HuffPost and The Daily Beast among other titles. You can find her on Twitter .