The original five X-Men are nearly complete for Marvel Studios’ upcoming reboot. According to Deadline, Karate Kid: Legends star Ben Wang is in talks to play Bobby Draka aka the omega level mutant known as Iceman.
Wang emerged as Marvel’s top choice after a series of auditions that included The Fabelmans actor Gabriel LaBelle, Penguin and How to Rob a Bank star Rhenzy Feliz, and Jackson Kelly. Nothing has been confirmed yet, however, so things could change.
Iceman isn’t just one of the original five X-Men recruited by Charles Xavier, he’s one of the most powerful mutants in the world. While his initial appearances made him look like a snowman, Iceman’s ability to manipulate ice and freezing temperatures grew to the point that he is basically living ice. He can’t even be killed as long as there’s a drop of water in the atmosphere, that’s how powerful he is.
If Wang does sign, he joins a stacked cast of rising stars that includes cast that includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Asa Germann as Angel, Peter Claffey as Beast, and Adam Driver as Mister Sinister.
Wang is no stranger to franchises at this point. After breaking out in the series American Born Chinese, he scored the title role in Karate Kid: Legends, and has a role in The Hunger Games: Sunrise On the Reaping. He also starred in Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of The Long Walk, and the hilarious comedy Gail Daughtry & the Celebrity Sex Pass.
Directed by Jake Schreier, X-Men hits theaters on May 5th 2028.
