Marvel Studios Chooses Its First Gay X-Men Hero for Reboot Movie

Marvel Studios' X-Men reboot is shaping up nicely, with numerous iconic mutants already cast for the film, which arrives May 5, 2028. There are still significant additions to be made, though, and the studio is reportedly casting its first gay X-Men hero in the MCU. The X-Men franchise has traditionally centered on minority politics, serving as an allegory for marginalized communities, so characters representing historically excluded groups were always bound to appear in the Mutant Saga. The studio reportedly plans to start that work right out of the gate with its first X-Men movie.

via: Pink News

Marvel Studios is reportedly looking to bring Bobby Drake, aka Iceman, into its upcoming X-Men reboot, in what is being framed as the MCU’s first gay X-Men hero on screen.

The claim is attributed to industry insider Alex Perez, with scooper Daniel Richtman appearing to back it up on X. Richtman quote-posted the claim in an X post with: “yes”.

The Direct claims Marvel Studios is “casting its first gay X-Men hero” for its X-Men reboot. It adds: “According to industry insider Alex Perez, founding X-Men member Robert Louis ‘Bobby’ Drake will be part of the X-Men reboot.”

Reports suggest that the so-far untitled X-Men film is due to be released on 5 May 2028, shortly after Avengers: Secret Wars.

Marvel has already introduced Sadie Sink as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and has also cast Kit Connor as Scott Summers (Cyclops) and Asa Germann as Angel. Reports have alsi suggested that Beast could make an appearance in the reboot. This would mean that Iceman and Beast would complete the original five mutants from the 1963 line-up: Jean Grey, Cyclops, Angel, Iceman and Beast.

Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot is set to be helmed by Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier, with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes screenwriter Michael Lesslie writing the script, and Kevin Feige previously describing the direction as “very youth-oriented”.

Why Iceman is a big deal for LGBTQ+ representation

Iceman is one of Marvel’s best-known gay characters in the comics. In 2015, Marvel canon established Bobby Drake as gay, with the adult version of the character later coming out in Uncanny X-Men #600 after earlier events in All-New X-Men #40.

X-Men stories have long been read as allegories for prejudice and minority rights, which can make line-up choices feel especially loaded for fans.

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Rumors have been swirling that Noah Schnapp (Stranger Things) and Jack Champion (Avatar: The Way of Water, Avatar: Fire & Ash, and Scream 6) are up for the role of Iceman. Personally speaking I would rather see Jack as Iceman since he does look the part. Now we'll see if the MCU has the cojones to give him a love interest.