Ben Wang joins Marvel's upcoming X‑Men movie as Iceman

Ben Wang, known for his role in "American Born Chinese," has been cast as Iceman in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X‑Men film. Wang will essay the mutant’s powers, which let him turn his body into ice and control water vapor on a massive scale. Earlier auditions for the part were held with Gabriel LaBelle, Jackson Kelly and Rhenzy Feliz, according to Deadline. Iceman, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, is a founding member of the X‑Men and is classified as an Omega‑level mutant in the comics. Shawn Ashmore previously portrayed Iceman in four earlier X‑Men movies. The new film also features 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. It is slated for release in 2028 and is directed by Jake Schreier, who joined the project earlier this year after directing Marvel’s "Thunderbolts." Kevin Feige produces under Marvel Studios, with production handled by Atlas Hall Productions UK Limited and distribution by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The cast buildup follows Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which transferred X‑Men rights to Marvel. Wang’s next role will be Wyatt Callow in "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping."\n## Context\nDisney’s purchase of Fox in 2019 gave Marvel Studios control of the X‑Men franchise, allowing it to reboot the series with new actors and storylines.