Power on... Marvel's new X-Men movie cast reveal at D23 Expo 2026 — and why it proves leak culture is broken

About Power On...

Nowadays, everyone has an opinion they want to share with the world — and TechRadar senior entertainment reporter Tom Power is no different.

That's why he created Power On... , aka a collection of articles that allow him to give his verdict on the industry's biggest stories, things that grind his gears, and more besides.

For more pieces like this, check out the full series here .

It took a while, but Marvel has officially unveiled the first cast members for its forthcoming X-Men movie — and it raises questions about the credibility of many so-called industry insiders.

Revealed last Friday (August 14), the announcement was one of six big Marvel and Star Wars stories to emerge from D23 Expo 2026 .

Thankfully, the reveal was worth the wait, too, because a wealth of acting talent has been assembled for the X-Men's latest big-screen reboot.

Indeed, joining the already confirmed Sadie Sink (Jean Grey) on the cast list are Christopher Abbott (Professor X), Kit Connor (Cyclops), Samara Weaving (Emma Frost), Inde Navarrette (Rogue), and Maya Boyd (Storm).

They'll share the screen with none other than Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury — or, as comic book fans will know him, Nathaniel Essex/Mister Sinister.

It's a stacked cast that I'm incredibly excited to see breathe new life into characters we've seen in previous X-Men movies, as well as animated offerings like X-Men '97 on Disney+.

More than that, though, I'm glad to see the back of what became a head-spinning cast rumor mill in the weeks leading up this reveal, while also taking some pleasure in witnessing those supposedly 'in the know' trying to save face over their incorrect scoops.

The X-Men are coming to the MCU:Sadie Sink is Jean GreyKit Connor is CyclopsChristopher Abbott is Professor Charles XavierSamara Weaving is Emma FrostInde Navarrette is RogueMaya Boyd is StormAdam Driver is Nathaniel MilburyOnly in theaters May 5, 2028. pic.twitter.com/ZCd4f7I1W7 August 15, 2026 I'm going to preface the rest of this piece by saying I bare no ill will towards anyone who hears things on the grapevine.

I also understand why they share their leaks online, because everyone wants to be the person to break a big story.

Heck, I'm guilty of it myself — you get the scoop, write and/or post about it, everyone uses your story as the original source, and you become a trusted industry source.