Ben Wang in Talks to Play Iceman in Marvel's New X-Men Film

Ben Wang is in talks to play Iceman in Marvel Studios' new X-Men movie, according to Deadline, which broke the story on 2 November 2026 as its own exclusive. "In talks" means negotiations are under way. Nothing has been signed.

Wang is best known for playing Wyatt Callow, a District 12 tribute, in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. A tribute is a young competitor picked to fight in the story's deadly games.

Iceman is Bobby Drake, a founding member of the X-Men. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created him, and he first appeared in The X-Men #1 in September 1963. His mutant power is cryokinesis, the ability to generate and control ice and cold. Shawn Ashmore played the character in the X-Men films of the 2000s.

Deadline also reported, citing its own sources, that Gabriel LaBelle, Jackson Kelly and Rhenzy Feliz were among the actors who tested for the part.

Wang's name is the newest addition to a cast that Marvel first showed off at its D23 fan event in August 2026. The lineup includes Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Adam Driver as Mr. Sinister and Kit Connor as Cyclops. Samara Weaving plays Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette is Rogue, and Maya Boyd is Storm. Asa Germann is Angel, and Sadie Sink is Jean Grey.

Behind the camera, Jake Schreier is directing. Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo wrote the script, and Kevin Feige, Marvel's head of studio, is producing. Deadline reports that the film is slated for release in cinemas on 5 May 2028.

For fans, the story is a reminder that a big superhero film is built one role at a time. Each casting deal, from a lead to a supporting part, has to be agreed before the cameras roll. Wang's deal is still in talks, so the Iceman role is not yet settled.

Marvel has not yet confirmed Wang's casting in a public statement.