The X-Men are finally heading to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and if there’s one thing Marvel fans adore almost as much as mutant battles, it’s fantasy casting. Since Disney bought Fox and returned the mutants to Marvel Studios, the age-old question of who would play whom has been a burning issue. Some would be natural developments, others bold reinventions, while others are just too good to miss. Below are 10 brilliant casting suggestions that have fans going crazy—each of which could redefine the MCU’s mutant era.
10. Dafne Keen as Laura Kinney / X-23 / Wolverine
Fans have been clamoring for this since Logan. Dafne Keen stole everyone’s hearts with her turn as X-23, showing she was capable of carrying the Wolverine torch with grit and heart. Her guest spot in Deadpool & Wolverine rekindled that excitement, and many think she’s the ideal successor once Hugh Jackman finally retires the claws. It’s an organic handover that would be respectful of what came before while sending the character into a bright new direction.
9. Keke Palmer as Rogue
Rogue was always a beloved character, but never actually received her time in the spotlight on screen. Enter Keke Palmer, who’s essentially willed herself into the role—gathering signatures online, cosplaying as Rogue for Halloween, and embodying all the Southern charm fans envision. With her comedic ability, charm, and dramatic range, Palmer could give Rogue the reboot she needs in the MCU.
8. Jason Isaacs as Magneto
Magneto needs more than menace—he needs depth, pain, and gravitas. Jason Isaacs, with his strong presence and range, is perfectly suited to the role. Taking over from Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender is no easy feat, but Isaacs might bring both the fury of a survivor and the depth of a man who will not allow history to repeat itself.
7. Glen Powell as Scott Summers / Cyclops
Cyclops has been ripped as the “boring” X-Men leader for years, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Glen Powell, who’s been upstaging Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, has the charm, leadership presence, and action-movie star quality to make Scott Summers interesting. With Powell as Cyclops, the character might finally emerge from the shadow of Wolverine and into his place as the team’s anchor.
6. Victoria Pedretti as Jean Grey / Phoenix
Jean Grey is the heart of the X-Men, and her transformation into the Phoenix is one of Marvel’s most iconic arcs. Victoria Pedretti (You, The Haunting of Hill House) has shown she can balance vulnerability with quiet strength—qualities Jean desperately needs on screen. If Marvel decides to tackle the Dark Phoenix Saga again, Pedretti could finally give us the Jean Grey adaptation fans have been waiting for.
5. Sam Richardson as Hank McCoy / Beast
Beast is both the mind and the heart of the X-Men—intelligent, studious, yet very much human under all the fur. Sam Richardson infuses warmth, humor, and relatable charm into all his roles, and he would be ideal for Hank McCoy. His comedic sense, with his sincerity, could make the most lovable Beast up until this point.
4. Sonoya Mizuno as Betsy Braddock / Psylocke
Psylocke has been done dirty in live-action to date, diminished to the role of a silent ninja and given little to no character development. Sonoya Mizuno (House of the Dragon, Civil War) might turn that around. She brings the intensity, grace, and sense of drama to bring Betsy Braddock to life as the fiery psychic warrior she was originally conceived to be. A good British Psylocke with all of her powers intact is long overdue.
3. Regé-Jean Page as Lucas Bishop
Bishop is perhaps the coolest mutant in the Marvel universe—a time-traveling combat veteran with plasma abilities and an edge. Regé-Jean Page has the magnetic on-screen presence to make Bishop unforgettable. Between Bridgerton and Dungeons & Dragons, he’s demonstrated he can bring charm, intensity, and stardom to any project. Bishop is owed the spotlight, and Page could provide it.
2. Anthony Carrigan as Morph
Morph is the ultimate wild card—comedic, quirky, and immediately lovable. Anthony Carrigan (Barry, Gotham) has already proven himself to be a master at portraying lovable misfits, and fans believe he’s the ideal fit. With X-Men ’97 returning Morph to the scene, Carrigan’s charm could seamlessly make him the breakout star of a live-action mutant cast.
1. Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau / Gambit
For years, Channing Tatum’s Gambit venture was Hollywood’s most notorious “almost.” Following his cameo appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine, the fans are greedier than ever to see him finally claim the role. Tatum possesses the physicality, charm, and movie-star presence to at last do Gambit right. Sometimes the best casting decisions are those that simply won’t die—and this Cajun card-throwing scamp owes his long-overdue debut.
The X-Men’s MCU arrival is one of the biggest events in superhero filmmaking. Whether Marvel goes all-in on fan-casting or catches us off guard with surprise casting, this is one thing that is certain: these characters deserve actors who are able to bring their heart, humor, and humanity to the role. If even half of these casting choices show up on the big screen, the future generation of mutants is going to be something really uncanny.