Marvel confirms new X-Men cast and a future Tony Stark replacement following Avengers: Secret Wars, but insists this isn’t a full reboot.
The next generation of mutants is on its way — and so is a new face for Iron Man. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that an all-new cast will take over X-Men roles after the events of Avengers: Secret Wars, with the studio also eyeing a future recast of Tony Stark himself.
During a recent press appearance, Feige revealed that the 2027 Secret Wars film will usher in a major shift across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After bringing back a number of legacy X-Men stars — including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden — in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, the upcoming X-Men reboot directed by Jake Schreier will introduce an entirely new lineup of actors for the iconic mutant roles.
Feige was quick to clarify that Marvel isn’t hitting the reboot button. Instead, he described Secret Wars as a “reset” for the MCU — a way to close out the Endgame-era stories and simultaneously start fresh. “Reboot is a scary word,” he said. “Reset, singular timeline — we’re thinking along those lines.”
The creative shift mirrors changes made in Marvel Comics following its 2015 Secret Wars storyline, which restructured timelines and character dynamics across the board.
As for the X-Men, Feige emphasized that their upcoming stories will return to the franchise’s roots — focusing on younger characters and the timeless outsider themes of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. “They have been a place to tell stories about young people who feel different and who feel Other and who feel like they don’t belong,” he noted.
But the casting shakeup won’t stop with mutants. Feige also acknowledged that Marvel will eventually recast other iconic characters, including Tony Stark and Steve Rogers — once portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, respectively. While replacing such beloved performances is a tall order, Feige compared the process to franchises like James Bond and Superman, both of which have cycled through new stars over time.
“Amy Pascal and David Heyman are now searching for a new James Bond,” he said. “David [Corenswet], the new Superman — he was awesome. That will always be the case.”
And while legacy actors like Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds are returning for Deadpool & Wolverine, Feige didn’t rule out more appearances from them in the future. “I think there is more fun to be had with both of those characters,” he teased.
Marvel’s multiverse may be collapsing, but it’s also creating room for a brand-new future — with new faces, fresh energy, and a whole new class of heroes leading the way.
