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Marvel Studios introduced its new Marvel X-Men cast during the D23 fan event in Anaheim, California. The presentation confirmed seven actors for the long-awaited reboot, including Adam Driver as the villain Mister Sinister.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige presented the actors Friday, Aug. 14, at the Honda Center. The film will bring a new generation of mutants into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel X-Men cast announced at D23
The announced cast combines established performers with several rising stars. Six actors appeared together onstage, while Driver joined the presentation through a recorded video.
The confirmed cast includes:
- Sadie Sink as Jean Grey
- Kit Connor as Scott Summers/Cyclops
- Samara Weaving as Emma Frost
- Inde Navarrette as Rogue
- Maya Boyd as Ororo Munroe/Storm
- Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier
- Adam Driver as Mister Sinister
Sink’s role as Jean Grey had already been revealed through her appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. She is best known for playing Max Mayfield in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Connor will portray Cyclops, the optic blast-powered mutant who often leads the X-Men. The actor gained international recognition through the Netflix series Heartstopper.
Weaving will play Emma Frost, a powerful telepath with the ability to transform her body into diamond. Her credits include Ready or Not, Scream VI and The Babysitter.
New actors take on Rogue, Storm and Professor X
Navarrette will step into the role of Rogue. The mutant can absorb another person’s powers, memories and life force through physical contact. Navarrette recently drew attention for her performance in the 2026 horror film Obsession.
Boyd will play Storm, one of the most recognizable Black superheroes in comic book history. The character controls weather and has served as a leader of the X-Men.
Abbott will portray Professor Charles Xavier, the telepathic founder of the mutant superhero team. His recent work includes Poor Things, Wolf Man and the television series Girls.
The casting gives Marvel Studios new versions of characters previously played by Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Halle Berry and other performers. The reboot will exist within the larger MCU.
Adam Driver joins the MCU as Mister Sinister
Driver delivered the presentation’s biggest surprise. The Oscar-nominated actor initially teased the audience by suggesting he would play Magneto.
However, Driver then confirmed his role as Nathaniel Essex, also known as Mister Sinister. The geneticist and mutant antagonist has manipulated the Summers and Grey families throughout Marvel Comics history.
The role marks Driver’s first appearance in the MCU. His previous credits include the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Marriage Story, BlacKkKlansman and Ferrari.
Mister Sinister has appeared in animated X-Men projects, but the character has never received a full live-action movie role. His inclusion may signal a story centered on mutant genetics and experimentation. Marvel has not released official plot details.
What is known about Marvel’s X-Men reboot
Jake Schreier will direct the new film after leading Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts*. Beef creator Lee Sung Jin and The Bear co-showrunner Joanna Calo are working on the screenplay.
Marvel scheduled X-Men for release on May 5, 2028. The studio has not announced actors for several other major characters, including Wolverine, Magneto, Beast and Mystique.
The D23 presentation represents Marvel’s largest step toward establishing a permanent mutant team in the MCU. Disney gained the film rights to the characters through its 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
More casting and production details are expected as the project moves closer to filming. For now, the newly assembled team gives audiences their first clear look at Marvel Studios’ next era of X-Men storytelling.