The mutants are finally making their way into the MCU spotlight, and if you’ve been keeping up with the rumor mill, you know the casting buzz is on another level at the moment. With Marvel gearing up for an all-out X-Men rebirth in the wake of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, fans are speculating continuously about who could portray these legendary heroes and villains next. Some come directly from insiders, others from dream fan-casts that refuse to die—but all in all, they’re creating the sort of hype that makes every announcement feel like an event. Let’s explore the 10 juiciest, most gossip-mongering rumored castings, counting down to the one that’s driving fandoms wild.
10. Anya Taylor-Joy as Magik — A Redemption Arc in the Making
Anya Taylor-Joy previously experimented in the mutant realm as Illyana Rasputin (née Magik) in The New Mutants. The movie suffered from setbacks and didn’t make the impact it could have, but Taylor-Joy’s work shone through. Supporters have been urging Marvel to offer her a fair go for the part with the MCU brand, particularly given that Magik’s magical powers would be a natural fit with Marvel’s recent emphasis on magic-themed storylines. Word i,s Marvel may just bite.
9. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine — The Reluctant Retiree Who Won’t Stay Retired
Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. End of story. Despite the almost flawless farewell in Logan, he couldn’t help himself come back for Deadpool & Wolverine. Sources indicate Marvel might keep him on as franchise face while fresh mutants become the new stars. He’s the connective tissue between generations, and quite frankly, most fans are perfectly okay with it.
8. Sadie Sink as Jean Grey — Stranger Things Star with Phoenix Fire
Sadie Sink has been appearing everywhere recently, from Stranger Things to Broadway, and she’s already in the MCU with a role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But rumors just continue to circulate that Marvel initially had Sadie in their sights for Jean Grey. With her range and intensity emotionally, she’d be a deadly Phoenix, and many fans believe it’s only a matter of time before she appears in a mutant suit.
7. Nathalie Emmanuel or Jodie Turner-Smith as Storm — A Weather Goddess for the Next Generation
Storm is one of the X-Men’s crown jewels, and Marvel isn’t playing around with this casting. Two names, specifically Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Fast & Furious) and Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim), have generated serious buzz after both showed up to Marvel premieres. Some fans even speculate if Marvel is going to try a multiverse move with different versions of Storm. Either way, anticipation for a new version of Ororo Munroe is charged with electricity.
6. Hunter Schafer as Mystique — The Fan Favorite for the Shapeshifter
The ultimate identity-shifter, Mystiq, has been the fan favorite for the role, and Hunter Schafer (Euphoria, The Hunger Games) has been loudly touted for it. Schafer herself has acknowledged that the idea sounds “cool,” and her combination of presence, vulnerability, and edge seems made to order for Mystique. Marvel hasn’t officially said anything, but sources indicate the studio is hearing them out.
5. Bryan Cranston as Mister Sinister (or Possibly Professor X)
Bryan Cranston has publicly expressed he’d be thrilled to play a Marvel villain, and particularly name-dropped Mister Sinister. The internet hasn’t forgotten that since. Meanwhile, some rumors have him attached to Professor X, due to his gravitas and leadership skills. Either possibility, Cranston entering the mutant universe, would automatically raise the stakes.
4. Colman Domingo as Professor X — A Daring Reimagining
There aren’t many actors who are enjoying the type of moment Colman Domingo is currently experiencing. Hot off praised film and television performances, he’s been closely associated with Professor X in the reboot. Domingo himself has alluded to a desire to create something new and strong for Marvel, and fans can imagine him delivering a Professor X that is both new and deeply resonant.
3. Margaret Qualley as Rogue — An Indie Darling with Edge
Rogue is one of the best-loved mutants who’s long overdue for a closer comic-accurate adaptation, and Margaret Qualley is said to be Marvel’s top choice. With credits like Maid and her gaming cache with Death Stranding, Qualley has the combination of star power and offbeat edge that Marvel adores. If hired, she might reinvent Rogue for a new era.
2. Harris Dickinson as Cyclops — Leadership Potential
Scott Summers is the X-Men’s rock, and Harris Dickinson appears to be Marvel’s choice to play him. With memorable performances in Triangle of Sadness and A Murder at the End of the World, Dickinson has shown he can do it all. Industry speculation has Marvel executives highly interested in him, making him the next field commander of the mutant team.
1. Denzel Washington as Magneto — A Casting That Would Break the Internet
Here’s the big one. Denzel Washington has reportedly signed up for Black Panther 3 with Ryan Coogler, but most think his actual MCU role will be Magneto. Rebooting the metal-controlling mutant into a Wakandan context would be radical, and Washington’s authoritative presence is ideal for a character whose agony and fury are as essential as his abilities. The prospect of him taking on Wakanda or even spearheading a new Brotherhood of Mutants has people abuzz around the clock.
The reboot is not all about new faces. Some of the original actors are going to return in the next multiverse shake-ups, including Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Alan Cumming, and Rebecca Romijn. Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman are also remaining, providing fans with that sweet mix of nostalgia and reimagining.
At the end of the day, no matter if all of these castings actually pan out or not, the hype speaks for itself; the MCU’s mutant age is on the verge of taking over pop culture. With a combination of legacy heroes and new blood, Marvel is priming the world for something massive. For fans, the question isn’t whether the X-Men will disrupt the MCU; it’s just how massive the impact will be when they finally do.