Michael Fassbender, whose previous roles include playing L.t. Archie Hicox in Quentin Tarantino’s "Inglorious Bastards", is reputed to have secured the role of Magneto in "X Men: First Class", scheduled for release in 2011.

The German-Irish actor described his selection process of roles as an actor: “I've been going on my gut pretty much from the beginning. I'm not always going to get it right, but risk interests me. There is some embarrassing element to everything I do in life”.

"Starter for Ten" actor James McAvoy has already been confirmed for the part of Charles Xavier, while Aaron Johnson and Frank Dillane are also being touted as likely stars.

The actor is also reported to have captured the interest of Spiderman director Mark Webb, who’s reported to be also considering the 33 year old for a lead role in that movie, however a source close to the star said that it was “unlikely” that Fassbender would accept roles in both movies.

Fassbender moved to Co. Kerry at the age of two, from Germany, before attending the Drama Centre London.