Now thatSimon Kinberghas been confirmed to write and directX-Men: Dark Phoenix, the cast is starting to come together. Canadian actor Lamar Johnson, best known for playing West on the hit Canadian TV seriesThe Next Step, has signed on for the superhero follow-up, which will take place in the 1990s. It has also been confirmed that Evan Peters will return as Quicksilver, reprising his role from 2014’sX-Men: Days of Future Pastand last year’sX-Men: Apocalypse.
The Hollywood Reporterbroke this casting news this week, although they couldn’t confirm what character Lamar Johnson is playing. This comes just a few days after an unconfirmed report claiming actressJessica Chastainis in talks to play the primary villain, Shi’ar Empress Lilandra, but there hasn’t been any confirmation that she has officially signed on to join the cast yet. There have even been rumors that Angelina Jolie was being sought for another mystery role, but that wasn’t confirmed either.
Returning to reprise their roles fromX-Men: First Class,X-Men: Days of Future PastandX-Men: ApocalypseareJennifer Lawrence(Mystique), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), James McAvoy (Professor X) and Nicholas Hoult (Beast). Also returning fromX-Men: Apocalypseare Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Tye Sheridan (Cyclops) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler), with this story adapted from an important comic book arc that was previously tackled in the 2006 movieX-Men: The Last Stand, which many thought was not up to the standards set from the first two movies. WhenX-Men: Days of Future Pasteradicated the entire original trilogy from the timeline, the stage was set to reboot theDark Phoenixsaga, with the cast from theX-Menprequel trilogy.
The Dark Phoenix saga centers on Jean Grey, showing how she becomes host of the Phoenix Force, which turns her into a powerful and entirely destructive mutant. No other characters have been confirmed yet, but leaked audition tapes hinted that the production was re-casting theRoguecharacter, portrayed by Anna Paquin in the firstX-Mentrilogy. Since this story is set in the 1990s, before the originalX-Mentrilogy took place, it would make sense to re-cast this character, but it remains uncertain whether or not casting is still under way for this role. There have also been rumors that the mutantDazzlerwill be introduced, a pop star who was referenced in aX-Men: Apocalypsedeleted scene. There has been talk that Taylor Swift may be up for the role, although it is said to be a small one.
20th Century Fox has set a July 08, 2025 release date forX-Men: Dark Phoenix, which will be the thirdX-Menmovie released that year. First up isThe New Mutantson June 14, 2025, followed by the highly-anticipated sequelDeadpool 2on June 02, 2025 and thenX-Men: Dark Phoenix. Aside from his role as Quicksilver, Evan Peters is best known for starring in all six seasons ofAmerican Horror Story, and he is expected to return for the seventh season as well. He is currently filmingAmerican Animalsalongside Ann Dowd and Blake Jenner. Lamar Johnson will next be seen in on the big screen inKings, alongside Daniel Craig and Halle Berry.
