Marvel Studios has revealed the actors set to lead its upcoming X-Men reboot, with Stranger Things star Sadie Sink and Star Wars actor Adam Driver among the headline additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The announcement came during Disney’s D23 fan event in the United States on Friday, where seven cast members were introduced for their roles in the still-untitled film. Sink told the audience how special it felt to finally be able to discuss her character openly after months of fan speculation. Driver, appearing via video link, revealed he will play the villainous Nathaniel Milbury — better known to comic fans as Mr Sinister — and said he had long hoped to find the right Marvel project to join.
A New Generation of Mutants
Sink steps into the role of Jean Grey, a character first glimpsed by audiences in last month’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day. She’s joined by a cast drawing from both established franchises and rising talent:
- Kit Connor (Heartstopper) as Cyclops
- Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier
- Samara Weaving as Emma Frost
- Inde Navarrette as Rogue
- Maya Boyd as Storm
The film will be directed by Jake Schreier and is scheduled for release in cinemas in May 2028.
Passing the Torch from Professor X
Abbott’s casting as Professor X marks a notable handover. Sir Patrick Stewart, who has portrayed the character across multiple Marvel films including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, will reprise the role one final time in the eagerly awaited Avengers: Doomsday, due out this December, before Abbott takes over for the X-Men reboot.
D23 also brought a fresh trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, giving fans a glimpse of Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom clashing with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.
The Franchise’s Long Road Back
This marks the first standalone X-Men film since 2019’s Dark Phoenix, which starred Jennifer Lawrence and Sophie Turner and was released under 20th Century Fox. Disney acquired the rights to the X-Men franchise earlier that same year as part of its takeover of Fox’s entertainment assets, paving the way for the characters to eventually join the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige teased that Friday’s reveal was only the beginning, hinting that further casting news for the project is still to come.
Release date: May 2028
