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Ben Wang in talks to play Iceman in upcoming X-Men film
Developing story first seen 4 hours ago
Newly added coverage reports that Gabriel LaBelle, Jackson Kelly and Rhenzy Feliz were among the actors who tested for Iceman, while Ben Wang remains in talks for the role. Marvel has not confirmed the casting; if a deal is reached, Wang would join the studio’s upcoming X-Men film.
Iceman, also known as Bobby Drake, is a founding X-Men member with the power to generate and control ice and cold. Shawn Ashmore played him in the 2000s films; the upcoming film’s announced cast includes Kit Connor as Cyclops and Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, and it is scheduled for release on 5 May 2028.
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In short
- Three other actors reportedly tested for Iceman.
- Ben Wang remains in talks for the role.
- Marvel’s X-Men film is due on 5 May 2028.
How this story developed
- 2 hours ago The latest report retains Wang’s unconfirmed talks and the 2028 release date, while offering no further change to the casting news.
- 2 hours ago Sources say Ben Wang is in talks to play founding X-Men member Iceman in Marvel Studios’ film due in cinemas on 5 May 2028, though no casting deal has been confirmed.
Full account
Ben Wang is in talks to play Bobby Drake, also known as Iceman, in Marvel Studios’ forthcoming X-Men film, according to reports from Deadline and Variety. The reports describe the casting as unconfirmed: Deadline says Wang has entered talks, while Variety says he is negotiating for the role. Marvel had not commented when the outlets reported the news.
Iceman is a founding member of the X-Men, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in the team’s debut comic in September 1963. His mutant ability is to produce and control ice and cold. Shawn Ashmore played the character in the X-Men films released in the 2000s.
If the agreement is completed, Wang would join a cast that includes Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Adam Driver as Mr Sinister, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Asa Germann as Angel and Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. Jake Schreier is directing, with a screenplay by Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo; Kevin Feige is producing. The film is scheduled to reach cinemas on 5 May 2028.
Wang is due to appear as District 12 tribute Wyatt Callow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. His other credits include Karate Kid: Legends, American Born Chinese, The Long Walk, Brian, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, the 2024 Mean Girls reboot and Chang Can Dunk. He is also set to appear in the final season of For All Mankind and the independent films Kate Must Die and Admissions.
Where outlets differ
From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:
Deadline says other actors, including Gabriel LaBelle, Jackson Kelly and Rhenzy Feliz, were reported to have tested for Iceman; Variety does not mention them.
Variety frames the project as the first X-Men reboot since 2019’s Dark Phoenix and the team’s first film under Marvel Studios. Deadline instead focuses on Wang’s career and forthcoming projects.
The accounts describe the casting status with different wording: Deadline reports that Wang has entered talks, while Variety says he is in negotiations. Both make clear the deal is not final.
Explained simply
The X-Men are a group of characters in Marvel stories, many of whom are mutants: people born with unusual powers. They are often brought together by Professor Charles Xavier, and their stories explore how mutants live alongside people who fear or distrust them.
Iceman, whose real name is Bobby Drake, is one of the original members of the X-Men. His ability to create and control ice makes him a long-standing part of the team, and he was previously played by Shawn Ashmore in films released in the 2000s.
Marvel Studios’ planned X-Men film is part of the franchise’s return to cinemas, with Jake Schreier directing and Kit Connor and Sadie Sink among the reported cast. Iceman’s place in the team matters because he is one of its best-known early members and helps connect the film’s new version to the wider X-Men story.
Coverage · 4 sources
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Deadline as “Ben Wang Circling Iceman Role In Marvel’s ‘X-Men’”.