‘X-Men Apocalypse’: Chloe Mortez, Elle Fanning, Hailee Steinfeld vie for Jean Grey role
Chloe Moretz, Elle Fanning and Oscar-nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld headline a list of candidates for the role of a young Jean Grey in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse film. Director Bryan Singer will also be considering Ben Hardy, Charlie Rowe and Timothee Chalamet for the role of young Cyclops.
The Wrap details the casting rumors in a new Nov. 18 article: “While a representative for Moretz didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment, an insider confirms that she and Fanning were among the girls who met with Singer in recent weeks as he commenced his search for young Jean Grey, who is expected to recur in future X-Men movies…Sources caution that official test offers for the role of Jean Grey have not been made yet and not only are other up-and-comers still in the mix, but it’s unclear whether Fanning is even pursuing the high-profile role at this time.”
No surprise that Fox has been quiet on the news, the roles and possible casting candidates.
“What’s clear at this point is that Singer is aiming high for the role of young Jean Grey, while the director seems more open to casting a fresh face as Cyclops. The on-and-off couple, often considered the emotional center of the X-Men universe, have existed in the comics since the team was launched in the 1960s, with those younger versions recently transported to present day for a major arc under writer Brian Michael Bendis,” the Wrap notes.
James Marsden and Famke Janssen played the iconic characters in the original X-Men trilogy with Janssen reprising her role for a dream sequence in The Wolverine.
The film will be set in the 1980s with Deadpool and younger versions of characters joining Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Even Peters and Hugh Jackman.
X-Men: Apocalypse is set to start filming in the Spring towards a May 27, 2016 film release.