20th Century Studios
Marvel Studios is continuing to build out its roster of mutants. Marvel's "X-Men" movie reboot cast was partly revealed at D23 earlier this year, but there were still some key roles left to be filled. Indeed, the latest actor to join the film's ensemble is Ben Wang, the star of "The Long Walk" and the upcoming "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping." He's now set to portray Iceman, aka Bobby Drake, in the forthcoming relaunch.
According to Deadline, Wang is currently circling the role. While he hasn't signed on the dotted line, unless something wild happens, it sounds like he is Marvel and Disney' choice for the role. Marvel's "X-Men" reboot has also found its director in "Thunderbolts*" helmsman Jake Schreier. Plot details remain firmly under wraps, but this movie is clearly a top priority for the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Avengers: Secret Wars" close the book on the Multiverse Saga.
This particular casting certainly lines up with Marvel's specific plan to make the "X-Men" reboot a box office success. It's no secret that the MCU isn't the surefire money-maker it once was, so the idea is to mostly cast fresh faces and emerging stars here, thereby saving money by not having to pay A-listers. And while "Star Wars" sequel trilogy veteran Adam Driver is on board to play the villain Mister Sinister, he's more of an outlier in this case.
Wang, meanwhile, fits in well with most of the rest of the movie's cast, which is composed of either up-and-comers or actors on the verge of breakout status. That includes Inde Navarrette ("Obsession") as Rogue and Christopher Abbott ("Kraven the Hunter") as Professor X, just as a couple of examples.
Ben Wang's star should only continue to rise thanks to his X-Men role
Sony Pictures
This is undoubtedly going to be the most high-profile role in Ben Wang's career to date, but as a star in the rise, it's certainly not the first time he's shouldered the responsibility that comes with a major franchise. After all, he was chosen to lead last year's "Karate Kid: Legends" as Li Fong and had a role in the 2024 "Mean Girls" stage musical movie adaptation.
It certainly doesn't hurt that Wang starred in the emotionally obliterating all-time great Stephen King adaptation "The Long Walk" as well. Some of his other notable credits include the recent comedy "Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" and the Disney+ TV series "American Born Chinese." He will also be seen in Season 6 of Apple's acclaimed sci-fi series "For All Mankind."
Iceman was created by the legendary duo of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, first appearing in the pages of "The X-Men" #1 back in 1963. As the name implies, the mutant character can manipulate ice using water in the air around him. Shawn Ashmore previously portrayed the character in the Fox-produced "X-Men" movies, with his final appearance coming in 2014's "Days of Future Past."
The original 2000 "X-Men" was Marvel's most important box office hit ever, as it proved that these superheroes could truly resonate in the mainstream. "Blade" opened the door in 1998, but "X-Men" kicked it wide open. Not counting the "Deadpool" movies or "The New Mutants," though, we haven't had a full team entry in the franchise since 2019's "Dark Phoenix," which was a major bomb. So, the pressure is on for Marvel Studios to get this one right.
The "X-Men" film reboot is currently set to hit theaters on May 5, 2028.
