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Adam Driver provided some updates on his upcoming roles
Adam Driver is lining up two very different kinds of villain roles, and his latest updates should give both Marvel fans and Michael Mann devotees something to get excited about.
While promoting Paper Tiger, Adam Driver discussed joining Marvel’s X-Men reboot as Mister Sinister and confirmed that he’ll play Otis Wardell, the antagonist in Mann’s long-awaited Heat 2.
One project brings him into a franchise he grew up loving. The other reunites him with the director of Ferrari for a return to one of the most beloved crime movies ever made.
Adam Driver says his childhood love of X-Men helped convince him to finally join the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, November 5, Driver explained that his attachment to the X-Men goes back to watching the animated series as a kid.
He even recalled playing Wolverine while his cousin Tony took the role of Sabretooth. Getting to join the franchise professionally, albeit on the villainous side, carries some extra meaning because of that history.
Driver had passed on previous Marvel opportunities, but said the timing, director Jake Schreier’s vision, and his conversations with Kevin Feige came together for this one.
“It was really X-Men and Jake Schreier,” Driver said, adding: “The script is really cool.”
He also acknowledged the pressure that comes with appearing in something so many people will watch, explaining that he doesn’t want to let down a franchise he loves.
Driver’s casting as Mister Sinister was announced at D23 in August. Schreier’s X-Men reboot is slated for 2028.
Adam Driver confirms he’ll play Heat 2 villain Otis Wardell and says filming starts next year
Driver also offered a substantial update on Heat 2 during a separate appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, confirming that he’s playing Otis Wardell.
The character is a violent criminal introduced in the 2022 novel Mann co-wrote with Meg Gardiner, which takes place both before and after the events of the original Heat.
Driver praised the adaptation’s tighter approach to that sprawling story, describing the screenplay as “a missile.”
According to Driver, he expects to begin working on the project in December, with shooting starting in early 2027.
“I kind of join top of December and we start shooting the top of next year,” he said.
Driver also said Mann was back at work the day after a recent gun-range accident. He clarified that the production’s adjusted schedule had already been planned and wasn’t caused by the incident.
The ensemble also includes Leonardo DiCaprio as Chris Shiherlis, Christian Bale as Vincent Hanna, and Stephen Graham as Neil McCauley — the characters originally played by Val Kilmer, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro, respectively. Odessa Young is set to play Charlene, the role Ashley Judd played in the original.
Jason Clarke has also been reported as part of the cast. Ebon Moss-Bachrach was last reported to be in final talks to play Kelso, the role originated by Tom Noonan, while María Cid was in talks for the new character Gabi.