Adam Driver, Inde Navarette headline Marvel's 'X-Men' reboot
MANILA, Philippines — Adam Driver will finally enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Mister Sinister, while breakout star Inde Navarette takes on the role of Rogue in Disney's upcoming 'X-Men' reboot. The film is set for a May 2028 release.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige made the announcements Friday night at Disney's D23 convention in Anaheim, California. Joining Driver and Navarette are Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier and Maya Boyd as Storm. Abbott previously starred alongside Driver in the HBO series 'Girls.'
Driver's long-awaited Marvel debut
Driver's name had been floated for years as a possible 'X-Men' cast member, with many fans speculating he would play the antihero Magneto. He appeared via video at the Honda Center arena, where a crowd of 12,000 gathered for the presentation.
'Kevin and I had been talking for years about my joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I think we finally found the perfect film,' Driver told the audience. He initially teased the crowd by saying he would play 'Maaagneto!' before correcting himself: 'even better, Nathaniel Millbury,' an alias for Mister Sinister.
Who else is in the 'X-Men' cast?
Previously announced cast members also took the stage, including Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Kit Connor as Scott 'Cyclops' Summers, and Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. Sink's role was revealed earlier this summer through her appearance in 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day.'
Feige noted that the castmates were meeting each other for the first time. 'They've just met backstage for the very first time,' he said.
Navarette's casting had been widely rumored following her striking performance in the indie horror hit 'Obsessed' earlier this year. The film made her one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors.
The 'X-Men' joining the MCU became possible after Disney's 2019 acquisition of Fox's film studio. Director Jake Schreier is helming the reboot, with 'Beef' creator Lee Sung Jin and 'The Bear' co-showrunner Joanna Calo writing the script.
Ryan Gosling brings 'Star Wars: Starfighter' to D23
Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy headlined the 'Star Wars' portion of the night, presenting their film 'Star Wars: Starfighter,' which arrives in May 2027. Gosling's appearance was preceded by clips of him as a child cast member of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'
'I owe a lot to Disney,' Gosling said. 'Had they not looked far and wide and come to my hometown I would not be here today. Now, 30 years later, I'm back and it's changing my life again.'
Levy put a leather jacket on Gosling bearing his character Kade Auberon's skull-and-bones symbol. Gosling described Auberon as 'a guy from the wrong side of the galaxy, whose fate is intertwined with the fastest starfighter ever built.'
Disney announced earlier this summer that Gosling will also play Ghost Rider in the MCU, first in a 'Black Panther' sequel and then in a 'Ghost Rider' film directed by Levy. Both are set for 2028 release.
'Star Wars: Ahsoka' star Rosario Dawson appeared to promote Season 2 of her Disney+ series, joined by Hayden Christensen, who returns as a force-ghost version of Anakin Skywalker.
Avengers veterans return for 'Doomsday'
Marvel veterans Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., and Hayley Atwell introduced a new trailer for 'Avengers: Doomsday,' releasing December 18. The footage shows Downey as Dr. Doom, having shed his Iron Man suit, battling Chris Hemsworth's Thor. Evans returns as Captain America, holding a baby, while Ian McKellan appears as a haggard Magneto.
Hugh Jackman appeared on the big screen to tell Feige he is willing to appear in 'Doomsday' as Wolverine. His answer was not definitive, but fan speculation is now leaning toward yes.
The presentation also offered a glimpse of the upcoming Disney+ series 'Visionquest.' Paul Bettany returns as Vision, with James Spader back as Ultron. Bettany noted it has been a pleasure to play multiple versions of Vision, who has 'rather inconveniently died several times.' He added, 'I'm told in the Marvel Universe that no one is ever really dead.'
'Frozen 3' stars turn technical glitches into comedy
Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel attempted to perform an eerie new arrangement of 'Frozen Heart' from the first film as they introduced 'Frozen 3.' The segment was plagued with malfunctioning audio, video, and doors that failed to open.
They ad-libbed their way through the mishap. 'Should we go back and try it again?' Menzel asked. Bell described what was supposed to happen and told the crowd, 'You guys were gonna freak out.'
They recovered gracefully. 'Doesn't it kind of feel like the world of Frozen is a bit different?' Bell said. Menzel added, 'Maybe a little bit more mysterious?'
'Yes, OK, we're back on track,' Bell said, drawing big laughs.
Josh Gad followed with 'Oooh, Samantha,' a love song his snowman character Olaf will sing in 'Frozen 3.' The night also featured songs and dance from the cast of 'The Greatest Showman,' the stage musical adaptation premiering on London's West End next year.