I read somewhere some time ago that Terence Stamp was actually the first choice for Magneto. For some reason it went to Ian McKellen but Stamp WAS pick number one. McKellen's Magneto was theatrical and quite playful, Stamp would have been more ruthless. And yes Fassbender does look more like Stamp.

Curious: Ian McKellen was NOT the first pick for two roles which eventually went to him and made him extremely famous today. Sean Connery was the first choice for Gandalf and Terence Stamp for Magneto. Being both older than McKellen and having achieved fame as film stars way before McKellen did, I think these two didn't want a long-term commitment to do several films in sequence. They were perhaps thinking of themselves as semi-retired.

Really? What a pity that he didn't get to play Magneto. Would be a dream pair : Stamp and Fassbender!

I read somewhere some time ago that Terence Stamp as actually the first choice for Magneto. For some reason it went to Ian McKellen but Stamp WAS the pick number one. McKellen's Magneto was theatrical and quite playful, Stamp would have been more ruthless. And yes Fassbender does look more like Stamp.

Let alone that Michael Fassbender resembles Stamp a lot more than he does McKellen. And they have the same angelic-yet-evil and dark/tormented charm!

I disagree with many of these opinions. McKellen was great, actually, he's always great. Someone who says that ANYBODY could've made a better Magneto, doesn't know anything about acting, and I really don't wanna be rude, but this is the true. The way he was walking, the way he was looking at the other peopleHE was SO Magneto. Terence Stamp would've made a good Magneto, probably, but not a better one, he must look more elegant to play Magneto. At least, this is my opinion.

He is so Magneto! I never thought of that and I love this actor. I never agreed with the McKellen choice. McKellen was brilliant as Gandalf, though. But he is not Magneto.

Anyone would've been better than McKellen as Magneto. Even Don Knotts!

He would have been good but Ian McKellen was fantastic as Magneto. I would have very much liked to have seen Terence Stamp switch roles with Christopher Lee in the Star Wars prequel trilogy and have TS play Count Dooku and CL play Chancellor Valorum.
Terence with a lightsabreYEAY!

Terence would have KILLED IT as Magneto!!!
"Come on, Skip. It's go-go, not cry-cry!"

I would have cast Peter Wyngarde

Ah, touche.
Completely forgot about his best role; shame on me

mtmccann - The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ring a bell? If that's not flamboyant, I don't know what is!
~We are a race that has trouble programming VCRs. Is it any wonder our spaceships keep blowing up?~

IMO, I think that Magneto was kind of flamboyant and theatrical which we haven't really seen Stamp do much of. Just sayin

The Xmen would have Knee5b4led before ZOD!

Ian definitely looked ridiculous in that rubber hat LOL. I think Terrance could of pulled it off.

Not a bad idea. Stamp plays some pretty good badasses and has a seriously cold look, in general.

Seconded.