The MCU’s new X-Men film is scheduled to arrive in 2028, and Marvel Studios has already revealed a substantial part of its ensemble. Sadie Sink will return as Jean Grey after debuting in Spider-Man: Brand New Day; Kit Connor will play Scott Summers; Inde Navarrette is Rogue; Maya Boyd is Storm; and Christopher Abbott will portray Professor Charles Xavier.
Samara Weaving has also been announced as Emma Frost, although her role could be heroic or villainous. Adam Driver will play Nathaniel Milbury, an alias used by the X-Men villain Mr. Sinister. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige confirmed that the announced names do not represent the complete cast, leaving several important characters still possible.
Here are nine mutants and associated figures who could still join the 2028 reboot. Some would help establish the classic team, while others may be better saved for later films.
9. Beast
Hank McCoy is the clearest omission from the announced line-up. Alongside Cyclops and Jean Grey, Beast is one of the central X-Men characters whose absence is immediately noticeable. The character was held back until the third film in the original Fox series, although Kelsey Grammer’s performance made a strong impression. The X-Men: First Class version, played by Nicholas Hoult, was less successful because of its physical design and story choices, including the inconsistent handling of Beast’s blue appearance.
A new film should introduce Beast properly from the beginning rather than treating him as an afterthought. A range of names has been rumoured, including Peter Claffey, LaKeith Stanfield, Charles Melton and Gaten Matarazzo. The first three are already in their 30s, which may not fit a cast whose announced members are mostly in their early to mid-20s. Matarazzo is younger, but the role would require a major physical transformation, and casting another Stranger Things actor alongside Sadie Sink could feel repetitive.
8. Angel
The original five X-Men in the comics were Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman and Angel. Storm and Rogue’s inclusion suggests the reboot is drawing more heavily from the animated era than recreating that first line-up, but Angel could still be one of Xavier’s founding students.
Introducing Warren Worthington III before a future Apocalypse story would also give the character room to develop before his transformation. Gen V actor Asa Germann has been linked with the role online and appears to suit the part.
7. Iceman
Bobby Drake would complete the classic founding group alongside Angel, assuming the film’s history places Xavier’s first students before the main events. Iceman should also be among the youngest members of the team, which makes age an important consideration when assessing possible casting.
There have been relatively few casting names attached to Iceman so far, particularly among actors in the likely age range. That lack of speculation may simply mean the role is being kept quiet.
6. Gambit
Gambit is not essential if the film already has a large roster, but his place in X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97 makes him an obvious possibility. Rogue is already confirmed, and their long-running romantic connection could provide a natural reason to include Remy LeBeau.
Timothée Chalamet has been mentioned online as a possible Gambit. He could make a capable choice, although his profile may seem unusually large for a supporting X-Man.
5. Jubilee
Jubilee was a major part of both X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97. In the 1990s stories, her youthful viewpoint helped audiences enter the world of the X-Men, so she remains a plausible addition to the reboot.
Jean Grey could already fill that audience-entry role, particularly because she has appeared in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The first X-Men comic from 1963 introduced Jean after Cyclops, Angel, Beast and Iceman, allowing the film to begin with that group before bringing in Storm and Rogue. Sixteen-year-old Avatar: The Way of Water actor Trinity Jo-Li Bliss has been suggested online, though Jubilee may be better suited to a later instalment.
4. Kitty Pryde
Before Jubilee took on the role of the young newcomer in the animated series, Kitty Pryde served a similar function in the 1980s comics. Her phasing ability and personal history give Marvel plenty to explore, despite her previous appearances in the original X-Men trilogy being relatively limited.
Kitty is another character who may benefit from waiting until a sequel. Many names linked with the part have been in their 20s or 30s, but the character is best represented as a young teenager. Julia Butters has been heavily rumoured and is closer to that interpretation.
3. Morph
Morph began as a relatively disposable figure in X-Men: The Animated Series, but X-Men ’97 substantially expanded the character. The updated version has a distinctive look and is non-binary, giving the team a perspective that differs from its other members.
No significant casting reports have emerged for Morph. That may be appropriate if the character is held for a sequel, although the expanded role in X-Men ’97 makes an appearance in the reboot possible.
2. Sebastian Shaw
The presence of Emma Frost and Mr. Sinister creates a connection to Sebastian Shaw, who could lead the Hellfire Club in the new film. In the comics, Shaw is a mutant who absorbs kinetic energy and converts it into superhuman strength. He also heads a secretive society of wealthy socialites seeking to influence world events.
Kevin Bacon previously played Shaw in X-Men: First Class, with mixed results. Adam Driver was strongly linked with Shaw until reports placed him in the role of Mr. Sinister. That does not rule out Shaw appearing as part of the film’s wider conflict.
1. Magneto
Mr. Sinister’s inclusion may indicate that the reboot is stepping away from the familiar Magneto-led storyline, which could be a welcome change. Even so, Professor Xavier’s history with Erik Lehnsherr predates the formation of the X-Men, making a brief appearance or post-credits tease possible.
Most of the names linked with Magneto have reportedly been close to 50 or older. That seems too old for a contemporary of Christopher Abbott’s 40-year-old Xavier, so the eventual choice may be an actor who has not yet attracted much speculation.
What the remaining cast could reveal
Marvel’s confirmed group already includes several characters associated with the classic comics and animated adaptations. Adding Beast, Angel and Iceman would establish a stronger connection to the founding team, while Gambit, Jubilee, Kitty Pryde and Morph would broaden the film’s animated-era influence.
The challenge is balance. A crowded first film could leave too little space for the characters already announced, so some of these mutants may be more effective introductions in future chapters. For more coverage of gaming and entertainment culture, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, or explore arcade machines and compact bartop arcades inspired by classic gaming.
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