Actor Adam Driver beamed into Disney’s D23 event in order to finally shed light on his “X-Men” casting. Marvel boss Kevin Feige previously teased that it had become a “tradition” for the actor to turn down roles in the MCU, although he did not disclose which roles the “Star Wars” alum had previously turned down. Now, however, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Driver is officially joining the MCU.
At Disney’s D23 event, Driver appeared via video to tell fans that he will be playing the role of Minister Sinister.
“Kevin and I have been talking for years about maybe joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And I think we finally found the perfect film at the perfect time with characters that I care very deeply about.”
“So I’m very excited to be playing the role of… Magneto!” Then he paused and said, “Even better… Nathaniel Milbury.”
“So I’ll be waiting right here… waiting for everybody to show up,” he joked as the camera panned out to show an empty room.
The New ‘X-Men’ Cast Is Quickly Coming Together
Many fans had suspected that Driver would join the MCU as Mister Sinister following Samara Weaving’s casting as Emma Frost.
Sadie Sink’s casting as Jean Grey had already been revealed in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Shortly after the movie hit theaters, Kit Connor was announced to be playing Cyclops.
Inde Navarette has been tapped to play Rogue, Maya Boyd will play Storm, and Christopher Abbott has been tapped to play Professor X, as per Variety.
The last “X-Men” film to hit theaters was Fox’s 2019 film “Dark Phoenix,” which starred James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Magneto.
Kevin Feige Jokes About Adam Driver’s Marvel ‘Tradition’
@happysadconfused Kevin Feige says Adam Driver turning down Marvel has become a tradition
Feige recently appeared on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz to discuss Driver’s “tradition” of turning down Marvel roles.
The Marvel boss said it was “no secret” they wanted to work with Driver, but it has been a “tradition to Zoom with him, and then he passes.”
He called it a “long-lived tradition” but noted that the “House of Gucci” actor “couldn’t be more cordial” and “is usually upfront about how he is feeling.”
Many fans felt that his comments were only teasing Driver’s eventual casting, as he was rumored to be playing Mister Sinister in the weeks leading up to his casting announcement.
Inside Adam Driver’s ‘X-Men’ Casting Rumors
Back in July, the X account My Time To Shine Hello, claimed that Driver had been “cast as the villain” in the MCU X-Men reboot.
Apocalyptic Horseman, a former Nexus Point News Reporter with several successful scoops in the past, added fuel to the fire, writing, “I can actually corroborate this. He’s playing Magneto.”
A few days later, he posted a correction, writing, “So sorry guys. Big mistake from my end but hearing Adam Driver is Sinister.”
It is unclear if Magneto will actually be in the film. When one fan asked, “You got any idea on Magneto then?” the scooper replied, “I was only saying he was in it because I heard Driver but if Driver isn’t him then not sure he’s in the film.”
Mister Sinister Has A Connection To Driver’s ‘Star Wars’ Costar
In the X-Men comics, Mister Sinister, born Dr. Nathaniel Essex, was a geneticist who set out to create the ultimate mutant using his superior intellect. His various abilities include telepathy, shape-shifting, and the ability to clone or alter mutants, such as Jean Grey.
Sinister allied with Apocalypse in order to augment his body and develop his skills further. In 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse,” the titular role was played by Oscar Isaac. The two previously appeared together in 2013’s “Inside Llewyn Davis.”
Driver, who is also best known for Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, also appeared alongside Oscar Isaac in 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” as Isaac portrayed Resistance pilot Poe Dameron for all three films.
During Disney’s D23 event in Anaheim, Marvel announced that the film will be released on May 5, 2028.
