Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Romijn and Famke Janssen have paid tribute to Patrick Stewart, with the three X-Men alumni describing their former co-star as "one of the greats" and saluting him as a "fellow mutant." The remembrances appeared online this week and quickly circulated among fans of the long-running superhero franchise, underscoring the affection the cast still holds for the actor who played Professor Charles Xavier.

The trio's comments arrived as a joint show of respect for Stewart rather than in connection with any new release. Jackman, who first shared the screen with Stewart in 2000's X-Men, led the tributes, praising the veteran performer's craft and his generosity on set. Romijn, who played the shape-shifting Mystique, and Janssen, known to audiences as Jean Grey, echoed that sentiment, calling Stewart a mentor and a steadying presence during the franchise's early years.

A reunion of the original X-Men ensemble

Stewart's connection to the X-Men series runs back to its very first installment, when he starred opposite Jackman as the leader of a school for gifted youngsters. Romijn and Janssen rounded out that core cast, and the chemistry among the ensemble helped turn the 2000 film into a commercial and cultural success that spawned a string of sequels and spin-offs.

Jackman's Wolverine and Stewart's Professor X went on to appear together across multiple films, becoming one of the most recognizable pairings in the genre. The two actors eventually shared a poignant final scene in Logan, a moment that many fans point to as among the most emotionally resonant in the franchise's history. Jackman has spoken warmly about Stewart in the years since, and his latest remarks fit that pattern.

Romijn and Janssen, meanwhile, have each reflected on their time in the series during recent interviews and public appearances. Both women have credited the original ensemble for creating an atmosphere in which newcomers could thrive. Their tribute to Stewart this week suggests that bond has endured well beyond the productions themselves.

Stewart's standing in the industry

Stewart's career has spanned decades and mediums, and he is widely admired for his work on stage and television as well as in film. Long before he donned the wheelchair and telepathic powers of Charles Xavier, he built a reputation as a classically trained performer with a commanding presence. His later rise to global fame through the X-Men films and his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation made him a household name across two major science-fiction franchises.

Colleagues have often described Stewart as a consummate professional who sets a tone of discipline and kindness on set. The tributes from Jackman, Romijn and Janssen align with that reputation. The three actors emphasized not only his talent but also the warmth he showed younger cast members, many of whom were navigating sudden fame for the first time.

Fans respond warmly

Social media reaction to the tributes was swift, with longtime X-Men followers sharing favorite moments from the films and reminiscing about the original cast. Many noted that the franchise's first film helped establish the superhero genre as a serious commercial force, and they credited Stewart's gravitas with lending the story credibility. Others highlighted the off-screen friendships among the cast, which have remained visible through the years.

The comments from Jackman, Romijn and Janssen also reflect a broader trend of actors from the franchise's early era speaking fondly of their time together. As the superhero genre has expanded and evolved, the original X-Men ensemble has taken on a nostalgic significance for audiences who grew up with those films.

For now, the tributes stand as a simple gesture of respect from three performers toward a colleague they clearly hold in high regard. No further details about any reunion or new project were included in the comments, and the actors kept their focus squarely on Stewart's legacy. Their words, though brief, carry weight in a franchise whose cast has long been celebrated for its camaraderie. As Jackman put it, Stewart remains one of the greats, a sentiment his fellow mutants were happy to amplify.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter