Marvel Studios Announces Sadie Sink and Adam Driver for Upcoming ‘X-Men’ Reboot

At Disney’s D23 fan event, Marvel Studios revealed the primary cast for its upcoming X-Men reboot, slated for release in May 2028 under director Jake Schreier.

The announcement confirmed seven key roles, with Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink set to portray Jean Grey—a character who recently made a brief cameo in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Meanwhile, Star Wars actor Adam Driver joined the event via video stream to announce his casting as the primary antagonist, Nathaniel Essex (Mr. Sinister).

Officially Announced Cast & Roles

• Jean Grey: Sadie Sink
• Mr. Sinister (Nathaniel Essex): Adam Driver
• Cyclops: Kit Connor (Heartstopper)
• Professor Charles Xavier (Professor X): Christopher Abbott
• Emma Frost: Samara Weaving
• Rogue: Inde Navarrette
• Storm: Maya Boyd

Additional Marvel Studios Updates

• Professor Xavier Transition: Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise his legacy role as Professor X in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday (releasing December 2026) before Christopher Abbott takes over the role for the new X-Men era.
• Avengers: Doomsday Preview: Marvel debuted fresh footage for Avengers: Doomsday at D23, showcasing a confrontation between Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor.
• Franchise Expansion: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige noted that further casting decisions for the X-Men ensemble will be announced in upcoming phases. This marks the first standalone mutant feature produced under Marvel Studios following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019.