We’ve known for a while now that the MCU is getting ready to mutate. And while Marvel Studios kept its powder dry on any X-Men announcements at Comic-Con, the recent confirmation that Sadie Sink is indeed playing Jean Grey (see Spider-Man: Brand New Day) saw the floodgates open for more mutant casting at D23. Taking to the stage at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, Marvel boss Kevin Feige officially announced the first major batch of X-Men casting.
Describing Jean Grey as a “founding member” of the superhero team, Feige announced several other characters. As previously reported Kit Connor is Cyclops, and Samara Weaving is Emma Frost. And joining them will be Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, Obsession breakout Inde Navarette as Rogue, and newcomer Maya Boyd as Storm – all of whom came to the D23 stage (with Connor, Weaving, and Sink too) having gathered together for the first time backstage.
But that’s not all: while he wasn’t present at D23, a video message from Adam Driver confirmed he’s finally joining the MCU, as Nathaniel Milbury, aka Mister Sinister – after initially joking that he’d be playing Magneto. That cast of incoming talent will be starring in the X-Men movie directed by Thunderbolts*’ Jake Schreier. More new names will be confirmed for X-Men in time, Feige stated on stage, noting that those revealed at D23 are all the cast members confirmed so far.
Feige also confirmed that the MCU’s X-Men will be coming to cinemas on May 5, 2028, following this year’s Avengers: Doomsday, and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. 2028 will also bring Ghost Rider and Black Panther 3, in what looks set to be a massive year for Marvel. Let the age of mutants begin.
