TheX-Menmay be the most highly-anticipated hero team debut not just for theMCU, but for the superhero genre as a whole. The beloved group of mutants had a pretty respectable live-action run withFox’sX-Menfranchise, but seeing how the group will be adapted into the canon MCU will spark brand-new excitement for new and old fans. Considering how excellent the MCU’s first foray into the X-Men universe was withX-Men ‘97, many people have high hopes.
Even though the X-Men have been confirmed for a future MCU appearance,the franchise is still in incredibly early days. Marvel Studio head Kevin Feige has said that the X-Men will debut sometime afterAvengers: Secret Invasion, so it’s a big possibility that the events of that movie will set them up as some of the protagonists of whatever era is next. Some early reports have thrown some names around in terms of casting forthe MCU’sX-Menfilm, and although nothing is confirmed yet, there are some very promising possibilities.
The MCU’s First X-Men Movie Report Of 2025 Presents Several Promising Hero Castings
According toThe InSneider, Marvel has reportedly started looking at potential actors to lead the MCU’s X-Men team. The report states thatSadie Sink is being considered for Jean Grey, Harris Dickinson for Cyclops, and Julia Butters for Kitty Pryde. All three are exceptional young talents, and if these rumors end up being true, then it’s clear that Marvel wants to take the X-Men in a younger direction. The Fox live-actionX-Menfranchise had most of the mutants in their late 20s and 30s. With these rumored actors, the MCU may focus on Charles Xavier’s students in their early days.
When it comes to casting young talent, Marvel has usually had a great eye. Iman Vellani, Xochitl Gomez, and Joe Locke are some examples of how the MCU can propel relatively newer faces into stardom. Of course, Sink, Dickinson, and Butters all have some pretty substantial titles in their filmography already, but casting them in theX-Menreboot would be a great chance for them to step up as leading actors. They definitely have the talent to do so, andseeing a younger X-Men team means that they can grow with the MCU.
Why Casting Sadie Sink As The MCU’s Jean Grey Would Make The Most Sense For The Franchise
Sink is likely the biggest name to come out of the casting rumors because of her past work, and it would be a huge win for Marvel if they managed to cast her as Jean Grey. At just 22, Sink has already starred in one of the biggest television series in the world.She garnered acclaim for her performance as Max inStranger Things, which showed off her comedic and dramatic range. She’d be no stranger to action sequences and the flashy elements of the superhero genre.
Considering that Jean is one of the most powerful X-Men, she’ll need to be put in very capable hands and Sink could definitely deliver. She is the perfect age by the time theX-Menreboot actually starts filming, andStranger Thingscoming to an end means she’ll have time for another major franchise. Her other performances in theFear Streettrilogy andThe Whalecement her as one of the most promising young talents, and if the rumors are true, then Marvel will have made a great move with their firstX-Mencasting decision.
