Which actor plays Sebastian Shaw in X-Men: First Class?

Kevin Bacon plays Sebastian Shaw in X-Men: First Class.

Shaw is the film’s principal antagonist, a powerful mutant who manipulates energy and seeks a conflict between humans and mutants. He is also revealed to have been involved in Erik Lehnsherr’s childhood trauma, giving the rivalry between Shaw and the future Magneto a personal foundation.

The role is played by Bacon under the identity Klaus Schmidt for part of the story. The character’s historical setting connects him to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which forms the major political backdrop of the film’s 1962 storyline.

X-Men: First Class also stars James McAvoy as Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr. Matthew Vaughn directed the film, which reimagined the origins of the X-Men team and began the franchise’s main prequel cycle.