Ben Wang, the breakout star of “Karate Kid: Legends,” has entered talks to play Bobby Drake — better known as Iceman — in Marvel Studios’ X-Men reboot, Deadline reported on November 2, 2026. The deal is not closed, and Marvel has not commented on the casting.
Wang is reportedly the frontrunner for the role. Other actors who tested for Iceman included Gabriel LaBelle (“The Fabelmans,” “Saturday Night”), Jackson Kelly and Rhenzy Feliz (“The Penguin”).
If the deal closes, Wang would complete the original 1963 X-Men team alongside the D23-announced cast: Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor Xavier, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue and Maya Boyd as Storm.
The film is directed by Jake Schreier and carries a reported theatrical release date of May 5, 2028, as part of MCU Phase 7. Iceman was previously played by Shawn Ashmore across Fox’s X-Men films.
Wang can next be seen as District 12 tribute Wyatt Callow in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” which opens on November 20, 2026. Landing Iceman would make him one of the busiest young stars in franchise filmmaking.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.