Marvel Studios has revealed a wave of new cast members for its upcoming X-Men reboot, including Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink and Star Wars star Adam Driver. The casting was unveiled during Disney's D23 fan convention in the United States on Friday, with the film confirmed for release on 5 May 2028.
Sink, addressing the audience at the event, expressed her excitement at finally being able to discuss her role after a long period of fan speculation.
so wonderful... finally talk about the character after months of speculation
Driver, appearing via video link, revealed his character as Nathaniel Milbury—also known by his villainous alias Mister Sinister, according to a report on the D23 presentation. He said he had long hoped to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
for years about maybe joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I think we finally found the perfect film at the perfect time
Jake Schreier is directing the untitled project, and according to the same report, Schreier appeared alongside Sink on stage during the D23 panel, where a new logo for the film was also unveiled.
Who else has joined the cast?
Alongside Sink and Driver, several other performers were confirmed for key roles. Kit Connor, known for Heartstopper, will portray Cyclops, while Christopher Abbott takes on Professor Charles Xavier, also referred to as Professor X. Samara Weaving has been cast as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette will play Rogue, and Maya Boyd will appear as Storm.
Sink's casting as Jean Grey was first hinted at when she appeared in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a reveal that reportedly intensified speculation about her involvement in the X-Men universe.
How does this connect to the wider Marvel universe?
Professor X has been portrayed in previous Marvel productions by Sir Patrick Stewart, including in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Stewart is set to reprise the role once more in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, due later this year, before Abbott takes over the part in the X-Men reboot. According to reports from the D23 event, the new X-Men film is being positioned as the first entry in what Marvel is calling Phase 7 of its cinematic universe.
What is the history behind this reboot?
The franchise's most recent instalment, Dark Phoenix, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Sophie Turner, was released in June 2019 under 20th Century Fox. Disney, which owns Marvel, had acquired the rights to the X-Men franchise earlier that same year, paving the way for the characters to eventually join the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What happens next?
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige told the D23 audience that further casting announcements for the X-Men film are still to come. The movie remains scheduled for a cinema release on 5 May 2028, giving fans several years to anticipate additional details about the project.
Key Facts
- Sadie Sink will play Jean Grey; Adam Driver will play Nathaniel Milbury, also known as Mister Sinister
- Other confirmed cast members include Kit Connor (Cyclops), Christopher Abbott (Professor X), Samara Weaving (Emma Frost), Inde Navarrette (Rogue) and Maya Boyd (Storm)
- The film is directed by Jake Schreier and scheduled for release on 5 May 2028
- Sir Patrick Stewart will play Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday before Abbott takes over the role
- Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed more casting news is expected
