Inde Navarrette Is Answering X-Men Doubters One Workout Video at a Time

Landing a role in Marvel’s rebooted ‘X-Men‘ comes with instant scrutiny, and Inde Navarrette has learned that firsthand since her casting as Rogue was announced during Marvel Studios’ D23 panel. The 25-year-old actress capped off what’s already been the fastest rise of anyone on the new roster, jumping from a supporting arc on ‘Superman & Lois’ to a breakout horror performance in ‘Obsession’ before landing one of the X-Men’s most iconic roles.

That speed has fueled its own share of skepticism. Some fans have openly questioned whether Navarrette’s recent surge in popularity from ‘Obsession’ played an outsized role in securing the part, with commentary from outlets like the Hollywood After Dark Podcast specifically tying her casting to that film’s success rather than a longer track record in the genre.

Alongside that debate, another familiar strain of criticism has followed Navarrette online: doubts about whether she has the physical conditioning to convincingly play a superhero role as demanding as Rogue. A recent clip circulating online captured her deep into a rigorous training session, an unmistakable answer to that specific criticism playing out in real time.

Navarrette’s commitment to fitness isn’t a new development tied to the Marvel news. She’s previously discussed drawing motivation from co-star Dave Bautista while filming ‘Obsession,’ using his discipline as a benchmark while building out her own training routine during that production. She’s also spoken about staying active through activities like cycling and regular trips to Stanley Park during her time on ‘Superman & Lois,’ suggesting a consistent, long-running relationship with fitness rather than a sudden push tied to landing a superhero role.

That established routine gives extra weight to the recent training footage making the rounds, since it reflects an ongoing habit rather than a last-minute scramble to look the part. For an actress stepping into a character built around physical intensity and hand-to-hand combat, that kind of visible groundwork tends to go a long way with fans who were initially skeptical.

Not every reaction to Navarrette’s casting has centered on doubt. Lenore Zann, the voice actress behind Rogue in both the original ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’ and its acclaimed revival ‘X-Men ’97,’ personally welcomed Navarrette to the role in a video posted from Dublin, a moment fans have embraced as a meaningful passing of the torch between generations of performers.

That endorsement carries extra significance given Zann’s history with the character. She had previously encouraged whoever eventually took on the live-action role to study the animated series closely, and her public show of support suggests she sees real promise in Navarrette stepping into those gloves next.

With cameras set to roll on Jake Schreier’s ‘X-Men’ film next year, ahead of a planned May 5, 2028 release, Navarrette still has time to keep building both her physical preparation and the goodwill she’s earning along the way. Between her established training habits and a warm reception from the character’s most recognizable voice, the doubts about whether she’s up to the physical demands of the role increasingly look like they’re being answered one rep at a time.

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