Miles Teller Has Blunt Marvel Advice for His ‘Paper Tiger’ Co-Star Adam Driver

Adam Driver is finally on his way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his ‘Paper Tiger’ co-star Miles Teller already has some words of wisdom for him. After years of being courted by Marvel Studios, Driver has signed on to play one of the X-Men’s most famous villains. The press tour for his new crime drama has given fans plenty of chances to hear what he and Teller think about that leap.

Driver’s road to Marvel has been a long one. As Jimmy Kimmel noted during a recent interview, Kevin Feige has previously described a long-running tradition of getting on a Zoom with Driver to offer him an MCU role, only for the actor to think about it and pass a few days later. That finally changed this summer. Feige took the stage at D23 to announce the cast of Jake Schreier’s MCU reboot, with Adam Driver playing the villain Mr. Sinister.

Now Teller has offered his co-star some playful advice about joining the franchise. “Don’t suck ’cause those Marvel fans will kill you,” Teller joked in a video interview alongside Driver, laughing as he delivered the warning. It’s a lighthearted line, but one that hints at just how much pressure comes with a Marvel role.

Teller’s joke mirrors something Driver has said himself. During a recent appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, Driver explained that he was selective about joining the MCU because so many people would watch it, and if it turned out badly, a lot of people would see him as bad. He added that he didn’t want to mess it up.

Adam Driver’s advice for dealing with Marvel fans? "Don’t suck." 😂 Watch the full interview: https://t.co/S6130RPUpt https://t.co/dak7oGqQcw
— CBR (@CBR) November 11, 2026

He also explained why this project finally felt right. He told Kimmel that he was a big fan of the X-Men and that the timing felt right. He said the decision came down to the X-Men, director Jake Schreier’s idea for the film, and Feige, adding that the script is really cool.

Driver is taking on a major villain. Mister Sinister, also known as Dr. Nathaniel Essex/Milbury, is a shape-shifting telepath. Driver will make his Marvel debut as the main antagonist of the film, slated for release on May 5, 2028.

Adam Driver and Miles Teller’s friendship is apparently TOO strong for their own director. 😂 Watch the Full Interview: https://t.co/Eynpfnq4nb https://t.co/frRb7l1nsX
— CBR (@CBR) November 11, 2026

He’ll be facing a fresh team of mutants. The film’s cast includes Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier/Professor X, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, and Asa Germann as Angel.

Driver kept things playful at the casting reveal too. While appearing via video at D23, he jokingly said he was excited to play “Maaagneto” before taking it back. He also told the crowd that he and Feige had been talking for years about him joining the MCU and that they had finally found the perfect film.

New trailer for James Gray’s ‘PAPER TIGER’ starring Adam Driver, Scarlet Johansson and Miles Teller has been released. 🎥 In theaters on November 13. https://t.co/qMIEF8tfdE
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) September 22, 2026

Before Driver suits up as Mister Sinister, he and Teller are sharing the screen in James Gray’s new film. In ‘Paper Tiger’, the pair play brothers who get caught up in a get-rich-quick scheme with the Russian mafia. Scarlett Johansson also stars, and the movie was a hit at Cannes.

The two leads clearly have an easy rapport. During a CinemaBlend interview, they bonded over their shared inability to keep secrets from their wives. Teller also said the film was inspired by director James Gray’s own life.

For Driver, the next few years will be a big shift from prestige dramas to one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood. If Teller’s advice is anything to go by, the actor knows exactly what’s at stake when he faces off against the X-Men.