Ben Wang in talks to play Iceman in Marvel Studios’ ‘X-Men’

Good news for X-Men/mutant fans, we have our new Bobby Drake!

While he’s currently promoting his film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, Ben Wang is currently in talks to play Bobby Drake aka Iceman for the X-Men reboot as reported by Deadline.

Since he was in talks to role, other candidates tested for the role of Iceman including Gabriel LaBelle, Jackson Kelly, and Rhenzy Feliz according to the source.

Bobby Drake aka Iceman, is one of the original founding members of the X-Men, first appearing in The X-Men #1 issued September 1963 and was co-created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Drake is a mutant with the ability of cryokinesis, where he can manipulate and and generate the used of cold and ice.

Iceman appeared in the Fox X-Men movies (2000-2007) and was played by Shawn Ashmore.

While not a closed deal yet, but he if gets the role, he’ll join recent announcement cast members; Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Asa Germann as Angel, Peter Claffey as Beast (rumored) and Adam Driver as the villain Mr. Sinister. Sink was introduced as Jean Grey in this summer’s box-office juggernaut Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the rest of cast was officially announced at D23 in August, including recent trade news from the Deadline.

With this casting so far, it looks like the X-Men will be a mix of the original 5: Jean, Cyclops, Angel, Beast and Iceman but with adding Storm, Rogue, and Emma Frost who doesn’t appear until later X-Men comics from the 1970s and 80s. It make sense diversity in the first film since X-Men is incredibly diverse in terms of story and characters.

X-Men will be directed by Jake Schreier, with a script from Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo, with Kevin Feige producing, set for theatrical release date, May 5, 2028.

Wang is best known for his work starring roles in Sony’s Karate Kid: Legends, Disney+’s American Born Chinese and Chang Can Dunk. He also appeared in Paramount’s Mean Girls musical film and Lionsgate’s Stephen King’s adaptation The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence, who’s also directing the upcoming Hunger Games prequel that’s set to release worldwide on November 20th. He will appeared in the final season of Apple TV’s For All Mankind.

Wang is repped by Stewart Talent, Artists First, and Schreck Rose Dapello.

Souce: Deadline