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The cast of Marvel's 'X-Men' was announced at D23
Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated X-Men reboot finally has its main cast in place, as the leads of the 2028 MCU film were announced at D23 over the weekend. Robert Downey Jr., the de facto godfather of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made sure the new arrivals felt welcome with a classy message backstage.
At D23 2026, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige unveiled the full lineup for Jake Schreier’s X-Men film, which was also officially scheduled to be released in theaters on May 5, 2028.
The cast includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey — a role she debuted in Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Kit Connor as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, and Maya Boyd as Storm.
Robert Downey Jr. welcomed the newly announced X-Men cast backstage at D23 with hugs and a “welcome aboard” that quickly went viral
The final reveal was Adam Driver, who appeared via video from Pinewood Studios in the UK where he’s already filming. Driver teased his role with characteristic deadpan humor — appearing to almost reveal he was playing Magneto before catching himself.
“Even better,” he said, before announcing he’s playing Nathaniel Milbury, a.k.a. Mister Sinister. “So I’ll be right here, waiting for everybody to show up.”
Adam Driver is OFFICIALLY in the X-Men as Mister Sinister #D23 pic.twitter.com/eDvw0UKFGf
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) August 15, 2026
Downey Jr. — who anchored the MCU for a decade as Tony Stark/Iron Man and will now be playing the villain Doctor Doom — greeted the new cast members backstage, as video showed him hugging Professor X actor Christopher Abbott and telling them “welcome aboard.” Longtime Captain America star Chris Evans could also be alongside Downey Jr., exchanging pleasantries.
Robert Downey Jr welcoming the cast of the new ‘X-MEN’ movie to the MCU.
“Welcome aboard.” pic.twitter.com/c8ZnkHo5JZ
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 16, 2026
X-Men will be directed by Jake Schreier, who previously helmed the MCU film Thunderbolts and is also known for his work on the Netflix series Beef.