Marvel Studios may have found its Iceman! Ben Wang, who starred in Karate Kid: Legends and will also appear in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, is reportedly in talks to play Bobby Drake in the MCU’s upcoming X-Men movie.
According to Deadline, Wang is being considered for the role, although a deal hasn’t been finalized. He isn’t the only actor who has been in the running, either. Gabriel LaBelle (The Fabelmans), Jackson Kelly (The Body), and Rhenzy Feliz (The Penguin) have also auditioned to play the fan-favorite mutant.
Iceman has been part of Marvel Comics since 1963, making his debut in The X-Men #1 as one of the team’s five original members. Bobby Drake can manipulate temperature, water, and ice.
You’ll remember Shawn Ashmore playing Iceman in Fox’s original X-Men films, where Bobby had a romantic relationship with Rogue. The character’s comic book history has since explored his sexuality, establishing him as gay and giving him relationships with characters including Christian Frost, the brother of Emma Frost. It’ll be interesting to see how Marvel approaches Bobby’s character in the MCU.
Wang has built a solid career with other projects including Disney+’s American Born Chinese and The Long Walk. Joining the MCU as Iceman would be another big role for the rising young actor.
The X-Men cast also includes Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, Maya Boyd as Storm, Asa Germann as Angel, Adam Driver as Mister Sinister, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, and Samara Weaving as Emma Frost.
Marvel’s X-Men is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2028.
What do you think about Ben Wang potentially playing Iceman in Marvel’s X-Men?
