As Fox’s X-Men cinematic universe continues to find success with edgier, more adult films like Deadpool and Logan, it still isn’t forgetting to cater to its younger viewers. As well as the upcoming Deadpool 2, the studio is also about to start filming on another movie set for a 2018 release: New Mutants. This team-up mutant flick has a distinctly YA vibe, as a group of young super-powered characters learn how to use their gifts for good. The working title, ‘Growing Pains’, emphasizes a focus on teen mutants, balancing out the very grown-up Deadpool and X-Force movies also on the horizon.

In the run-up to filming, there’s been quite a bit of speculation over who will be playing the star mutants, with Maisie Williams rumored for Wolfsbane and Anya Taylor-Joy predicted to be playing Magik. In addition, Nat Wolff looks like a frontrunner for Cannonball, and the roles of Sunspot, Mirage, and Warlock have yet to be attached to any name. While four of these six suspected characters are still not officially cast, we can now confirm that Williams and Taylor-Joy are officially on board with the project.

Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams has been confirmed as Wolfsbane for the film, while Anya Taylor-Joy has also officially signed on as Magik, according to THR.

Wolfsbane (aka Rahne Sinclair) is a Scottish mutant, driven out of her home for her werewolf-like powers. She is later taken in by Moira McTaggert and brought to Charles Xavier. Magik (aka Illyana Rasputin) is the younger sister of Colossus, who was kidnapped as a child and taken to an alternate dimension. There, she was trained to become a powerful sorceress, and since returning to the main X-Men dimension, she can teleport and continues to use her magic powers.

Neither of these announcements comes as too much of a surprise, especially as fan art of Williams as Wolfsbane has already surfaced. Both Williams and Taylor-Joy have been rumored for these roles for some time, so this news is largely a confirmation. Fox was presumably waiting for pre-production to begin for the project before making these announcements (New Mutants will start shooting this summer), which also means that more casting news can’t be far behind.

The bigger news will come when the roles of Sunspot, Mirage, Warlock, and Cannonball are announced – especially as there are far fewer rumors circulating these roles. We are sure to find out who will be joining Williams and Taylor-Joy soon, and can look forward to some initial behind-the-scenes shots within the next few months.

Next: X-Men: 15 Things You Need To Know About New Mutants

Source: THR

  • New Mutants Release Date: 2020-08-28