Marvel Studios is preparing to introduce the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fans have already started asking one major question. Who will play the new members of the mutant team?
Disney acquired 20th Century Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019. Since then, X-Men characters have appeared in MCU projects.
Several stars from the original X-Men films will also return in Avengers: Doomsday.
Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier will lead the new X-Men film. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will also oversee the project.
Marvel currently targets a 2028 release. The film will follow Avengers: Secret Wars.
Marvel has not officially confirmed the reboot’s full cast. However, industry reports have linked several actors to major roles.
Jean Grey
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink will reportedly play Jean Grey in the MCU.
The powerful telepath has a major place in X-Men history. She also becomes the host of the Phoenix Force.
Famke Janssen played Jean in Fox’s original X-Men trilogy. Sophie Turner later portrayed the character in the prequel films.
The latest story reportedly places Jean at the centre of major events.
Fans have also speculated about her future. Some believe she could eventually join Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
Cyclops
‘Heartstopper’ star Kit Connor is in talks with Marvel Studios to play Scott Summers a.k.a Cyclops, the captain of the X-Men who can shoot beams of energy through his eyes.
A ‘scooper’ previously mentioned ‘The Long Walk’ actor Cooper Hoffman as a possible choice for Cyclops.
Others have also pointed to Drew Starkey, who starred in ‘Outer Banks’ and ‘Queer’, as a possible frontrunner for the role, but sources said Marvel ultimately landed on Connor to don Cyclops’ ruby-quartz visor.
The character has previously been portrayed by James Marsden in the Fox trilogy and Tye Sheridan in the prequels.
Emma Frost
Marvel has also reportedly found its Emma Frost, with ‘Ready or Not’ actress Samara Weaving set to bring the White Queen to the MCU.
Insiders said Schreier and Feige landed on Weaving after she gave a strong performance during a screen test in early July.
One of the actress’ representatives has declined to comment on the casting news.
Emma Frost is a powerful telepath who can transform herself into diamond.
She has a complicated history with the X-Men, with her character shifting from a villain to an ally throughout Marvel Comics history.
January Jones previously played her in ‘X-Men: First Class.’
Professor X
Insider reports stated that the casting for Professor X, the founder of the X-Men, is down to two actors: Bill Skarsgård and Tom Pelphrey.
Skarsgård is most well-known for playing Pennywise the Clown in the ‘It’ film series, and has recently starred in films like ‘Barbarian’ and Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu.’
Meanwhile, Emmy-nominated actor Pelphrey appeared in shows like ‘Ozark’, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Banshee.’
The actor who will play MCU’s Charles Xavier will have big shoes to fill following Patrick Stewart’s iconic performance in the X-Men trilogy and James McAvoy’s portrayal in the prequels.
Magneto
Adam Driver is one of the rumoured actors that could take the helm of Magneto in the MCU.
Scooper accounts on X said the actor, who previously played Kylo Ren in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy, could be the next Master of Magnetism after Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender.
The rumour is further fuelled by Feige, who said he had many talks with Driver about the actor being a part of the MCU.
However, some insiders are saying that he could instead play Mister Sinister, another X-Men villain.
Aside from Driver, other scoopers are saying ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Boys’ star Jensen Ackles could play Magneto.
Beast
Beast, a scientist with superhuman strength and a blue, animal-like appearance that has been a core member of the X-Men across different media, will reportedly be played by Charles Melton, following speculation from industry insiders.
Insiders said Melton has closed a deal with Marvel and could reunite with his ‘Beef’ co-star Cailee Spaeny in the X-Men reboot.
The role has been previously filled by Kelsey Grammer and Nicholas Hoult.
Rogue
Scoopers also said Cailee Spaeny is in talks to play Rogue, a Mutant who can absorb other people’s memories, abilities and powers through touch, in the reboot.
Spaeny is known for her roles in ‘Priscilla,’ ‘Alien: Romulus’ and ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.’
Mystique
While there are no casting reports about Mystique, Inde Navarette said she met with Schreier and expressed her interest in playing the blue-skinned shapeshifter in the MCU.
In an interview with Variety, Navarette said she has been meeting with other directors, including Schreier, after the success of her film ‘Obsession’.
Although she quickly quelled fans’ expectations, saying not all meetings ‘turn into projects’.
When asked what possible role she wants to play, Navarette said: “I mean, Mystique has always been super cool.”
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