Ben Wang Circling Iceman Role In Marvel’s ‘X-Men’

EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of the release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, where he plays District 12 tribute Wyatt Callow, Ben Wang has entered talks to play Iceman in Marvel Studios‘ new X-Men movie, sources tell Deadline.

Reps for Marvel couldn’t be reached for comment. While unconfirmed, we’ve heard Gabriel LaBelle, Jackson Kelly and Rhenzy Feliz are among other actors who tested for the part.

Iceman, aka Bobby Drake, is a founding member of the X-Men. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The X-Men #1 in September 1963. The character is known for the mutant power of cryokinesis — his ability to generate and control ice and cold.

In the X-Men films of the 2000s, Iceman was played by Shawn Ashmore.

Should the deal make, Wang will join a cast that includes Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Adam Driver as Mr. Sinister, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Asa Germann as Angel and Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. Much of the cast was announced earlier this year at D23; Sink’s was revealed in this summer’s box office smash Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Jake Schreier is directing X-Men from a script by his Beef collaborator Lee Sung Jin, as well as Joanna Calo. Kevin Feige is producing the pic slated for release in theaters on May 5, 2028.

Rising significantly in profile in recent years, as he’s booked one major studio role after another, Wang is perhaps best known for starring in Karate Kid: Legends, Disney+’s American Born Chinese and the SXSW comedy Brian from Will Ropp. Recent credits include Lionsgate’s Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk from Francis Lawrence, as well as the David Wain comedy Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. Also seen in the 2024 Mean Girls reboot and Disney+’s Chang Can Dunk, he’s next set to appear in the sixth and final season of Apple TV’s For All Mankind, as well as indies Kate Must Die and Admissions. He is repped by Stewart Talent, Artists First and Schreck Rose Dapello.