‘Gen V’ Star Asa Germann Almost Played Cyclops in Marvel’s X-Men Reboot — Now He’s Set to Become Angel

Marvel’s new X-Men movie has added another familiar mutant to its growing lineup, but the casting comes with a pretty surprising twist. Asa Germann, best known for ‘Gen V’ and his recent role in ‘Scream 7,’ is reportedly in final talks to play Warren Worthington III, better known as Angel.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news, revealing that Germann was not originally trying out for Angel. Instead, he had auditioned for Cyclops, one of the most important members of the X-Men. That role eventually went to Kit Connor, but Marvel apparently liked what it saw from Germann enough to find another part for him. Rather than letting his audition end there, the studio reportedly decided he could be a good fit for the winged mutant.

It is an interesting way for Germann to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Angel is one of the original X-Men characters from the comics and first appeared in ‘X-Men’ No. 1 in 1963. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Warren Worthington III was one of the team’s earliest members and has been part of the mutant world for decades.

The character is best known for the large feathered wings on his back, which allow him to fly. But Angel’s comic book story eventually took a much darker turn. During one of his most famous storylines, Apocalypse captured Warren and transformed him into Archangel. His natural wings were replaced with metallic wings that could fire razor-sharp projectiles, turning one of the X-Men’s most heroic characters into a dangerous weapon.

Germann will also have some big shoes to fill because Angel has already appeared in two previous X-Men movies. Ben Foster played Warren in 2006’s ‘X-Men: The Last Stand,’ while Ben Hardy portrayed a younger version of the character in 2016’s ‘X-Men: Apocalypse.’ Germann would become the third actor to play Angel in a live-action movie, but his version will be the first to officially exist inside the MCU.

His casting also adds another major name to a movie that is quickly becoming one of Marvel’s most interesting projects. The current cast includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue and Maya Boyd as Storm. Adam Driver is also attached to play the main villain, Mister Sinister.

Germann is still waiting for his official Marvel debut, but he already has plenty of experience playing characters with complicated relationships to superpowers. He plays Sam Riordan in Prime Video’s ‘Gen V,’ the ‘The Boys’ spinoff about young people dealing with life at a superhero university. He also recently appeared as Lucas Bowden in ‘Scream 7.’

Marvel has not officially confirmed Germann’s casting. The Hollywood Reporter said the actor is in final talks, while Marvel declined to comment on the report. That means fans may have to wait a little longer before the studio makes the announcement itself.

Jake Schreier is directing the X-Men reboot after previously working with Marvel on ‘Thunderbolts*.’ The movie is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2028, giving Marvel plenty of time to finish the cast and prepare the next generation of mutants.

For Germann, though, the role could be an especially interesting opportunity. He went into the process hoping to play Cyclops and walked away with the chance to become Angel instead. If the deal is completed, his journey from one major X-Men role to another will be one of the more unexpected casting stories behind Marvel’s reboot.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments.