Who Will Play Cyclops and Jean Grey in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’?
With every new ‘X-Men’ movie comes new mutants (no, not the New Mutants) and ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ will be no exception. While some may say that the ‘X-Men’ films are perhaps a little too overstuffed with every mutant they can get their hands on (did we really need Sunspot or Blink?), it’s hard to deny to return of Cyclops and Jean Grey; major characters and core mutants who will make their long-awaited appearance in the new era of “young” ‘X-Men’ films. So, now that we know we’ll see these characters, it’s time to find out who is going to play them in the movie.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but The Wrap is reporting that director Bryan Singer has met with both Elle Fanning and Chloe Moretz for the role of Jean Grey. Though in that same report (that also name drops Oscar-nominee and Taylor Swift bestie, Hailee Steinfeld) it mentions that no offers have been made and Fanning doesn’t even know if she wants the part to begin with.
The names for young Scott Summers are far less recognizable as Singer is no doubt exhaustively looking to discover some fresh, young talent. He’ll turn over every stone in Hollywood if that’s what it takes to find the hottest, raw hunk...of talent to star in his film! So far, the names in the mix include Ben Hardy, Charlie Rowe and Timothee Chalamet. The latter can be seen as Matthew McConaughey’s son in ‘Interstellar’ while Hardy and Rowe have less distinguished resumes. (What’s interesting is that while being two of the original X-Men from the comic books, these actors are appreciably younger than the rest of the cast. Steinfeld and Moretz are both 17 and Fanning is 16 compared to Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult, who are both 24.)
With Professor X, Beast, Cyclops and Jean Grey all set for appearances in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ (set to take place in the 80s), one has to wonder if both Angel and Iceman are set to make appearances as well. Angel and Iceman were both parts of the original ‘X-Men’ trilogy and Iceman had a supporting role in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ but if you’re going to try and reboot the original X-Men lineup, why not recast these two as well? Not to mention, Angel has a very important relationship with Apocalypse. (Long story, short: after his wings are mutilated during the Mutant Massacre, Apocalypse offers him a deal to replace his wings if he’ll become a member of the Four Horsemen. Angel agrees, becoming Archangel, with organic metal wings that shoot metal feathers.)
Beyond the obvious rise of the ancient mutant, Apocalypse, we've heard in recent days that the film will focus on Magneto and Mystique, their growing romance and a love triangle with Beast (enter the metaphor for Mystique's internal conflict over good and evil. There are still plenty of roles to be cast and as we learn more about which mutants are set to appear in this film, we'll likely learn more about the film's plot.
'X-Men: Apocalypse' is set for release on May 18, 2016.