Kevin Feige recalls being 'in awe' of Sir Patrick Stewart
Marvel boss Kevin Feige has heaped praise on Sir Patrick Stewart.
Kevin Feige was "in awe" of Sir Patrick Stewart when he first met the actor.
The head of Marvel Studios has paid a glowing tribute to Stewart, after the award-winning actor passed away, aged 86.
Kevin, 53, told The Hollywood Reporter: "I’ll never forget the first time I saw Sir Patrick Stewart on the set of the first X-Men.
"After years of knowing him as the inimitable Captain Picard, I was in awe — and he turned out to be everything I had seen on screen and more: brilliant, charming, warm, generous, with a quiet strength and gravitas. Away from the cameras, he was even more remarkable, with a wonderfully sharp sense of humour."
Stewart played Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series between 2000 and 2017, before reprising the role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Kevin always relished the experience of working with the acclaimed actor.
The Marvel boss said: "It was a true privilege to know him and to work with him.
"His legacy lives on not only in decades of extraordinary work, but in the many, many people he mentored. He will be deeply missed."
Marvel Studios previously paid a separate tribute to Stewart, describing the actor as a "singular talent, a generous collaborator, and a true gentleman".
Marvel said in a statement: "All of us at Marvel Studios are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart. 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. Our hearts go out to his wife Sunny, his children, his friends, and the countless fans around the world whose lives he touched with his art. (sic)"
Stewart - who was born and raised in Yorkshire, England - passed away at his home in Los Angeles, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body dementia.
