D23 Unveils New X-Men Cast and Release Date

Marvel Studios is gearing up to reboot the X-Men film franchise with a fresh cast, and the excitement surrounding the plans under Thunderbolts director Jake Schreier has sparked plenty of buzz and speculation over the past few years.

During Disney’s D23 fan convention, Marvel officially unveiled the new lineup of mutants joining the MCU, confirming the connection to the recently released blockbuster, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige introduced an impressive cast, revealing who will take on the iconic roles of Cyclops, Storm, Professor X, Rogue, and more.

The upcoming X-Men film has also received its official title and release date: X-Men is set to hit theaters on May 5, 2028.

Here’s the star-studded cast for Marvel’s new X-Men movie:

Adam Driver, known for his roles in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Girls, and Megalopolis, is finally stepping into the MCU after previously turning down several offers. He’s expected to channel a villainous vibe reminiscent of his portrayal of Kylo Ren.

Although Driver didn’t attend D23 in person, he made an appearance via a pre-recorded video. He initially teased the audience by claiming he would play Magneto but quickly corrected himself, revealing he will portray Nathaniel Milbury, an alias of Mister Sinister.

“When Kevin told me to show up for X-Men, I assumed he meant on set,” Driver shared. “So instead of being there in California, I’m here at Pinewood on this very lonely soundstage. Kevin and I have been discussing the possibility of me joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years, and I think we finally found the perfect film at the perfect time. So I’m very excited to be playing Magneto… Nope. Even better. Nathaniel Milbury. So I’ll be right here, waiting for everybody to show up.”

Christopher Abbott reunites with his former Girls co-star as Charles Xavier, aka Professor X, the leader of the school for gifted youngsters. Abbott is primarily known for his work in independent films (Possessor, Poor Things, It Comes at Night) but has previously portrayed a Marvel character as the supervillain assassin known as Foreigner in Sony Pictures’ Kraven the Hunter.

We already knew that Sadie Sink, famous for her role in Stranger Things, would be playing Jean Grey, thanks to her mysterious appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Now it’s confirmed that Jean’s bus ride at the end of that film was indeed taking her to Xavier’s school in upstate New York.

Kit Connor is stepping in as Marvel’s new live-action Cyclops, taking over from James Marsden and Tye Sheridan. After notable performances in Warfare and Heartstopper, Connor is ready to bring the X-Men leader to life. He’s also set to appear in another major project, playing an undisclosed role in the 2028 adaptation of Elden Ring.

Samara Weaving’s casting as Emma Frost, aka the White Queen, was announced earlier this month. Weaving is a perfect match for the iconic ice queen, who has transitioned from X-Men antagonist to ally over the years. She has previously starred in The Babysitter, Ready or Not, and Scream 6.

Inde Navarette, known for her role in Obsession, is set to portray Rogue, the mutant with the ability to absorb powers and memories, a role previously played by Anna Paquin in live action.

Relative newcomer Maya Boyd will take on the role of Storm. Primarily recognized for her work on Broadway, she will be stepping into the shoes of the weather-controlling mutant, succeeding Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp.

Feige mentioned at D23 that more casting news for the X-Men is on the way.

Oh my stars and garters!