Weaving is Emma Frost
Reports Confirm Samara Weaving Cast as Emma Frost in Marvel's X-Men Reboot, Slated for 2028 Release
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Key Points
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Emma Frost has previously been portrayed on screen by Finola Hughes in Generation X (1996), Tahyna Tozzi in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), and January Jones in X-Men: First Class (2011), illustrating a long history of the character across different adaptations.
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The Frost casting is tied to a defined creative team: Jake Schreier is directing (known for Thunderbolts), with Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo writing the screenplay, under Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige; Marvel did not comment on the casting when approached.
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The announcement arrives amid a Comic-Con wave of reveals, including Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider and David Jonsson as Prince T’Challa II, signaling Marvel’s broader plan to roll out a new generation of mutants and related projects.
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Emma Frost’s powers are canonically a dual mix of telepathy and the ability to transform into an organic diamond, with her history tied to the Hellfire Club and a trajectory from villain to antihero to X-Men leader in the comics.
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Fan reception has been largely positive, but there is debate over Marvel’s casting approach, with some fans proposing alternatives such as Hannah Waddingham, Lupita Nyong’o, or Margot Robbie.
Samara Weaving has been cast as Emma Frost in Marvel Studios' upcoming X-Men reboot, according to Deadline. The Australian actress, best known for Ready or Not, will play the White Queen — a powerful telepath who can turn her body into organic diamond. The project is targeting a 2028 theatrical release.
The casting makes Weaving the first confirmed addition to the new X-Men lineup. Director Jake Schreier and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige chose her after a months-long audition process that began in May 2026, per TheWrap. Marvel has not officially commented on the news.
A Grueling Audition Process Led to One Clear Choice
Auditions for Emma Frost began in May 2026, with final screen tests held after July 4th. Schreier and Feige met with a number of candidates before Weaving delivered what sources called a decisive audition. IBTimes reported the selection followed a lengthy and intensive search, with the Emma Frost role treated as the most competitive in the new film.
Weaving is 34 years old — an age analysts say is ideal for leading a franchise into the next decade. She built her reputation in genre films, including Scream VI and Ready or Not, whose sequel earned a 90% audience approval rating. Schreier praised her blend of physical charisma and dramatic range, according to Screen Realm.
Emma Frost's Long History Before the MCU Gets Her
Emma Frost first appeared in Marvel Comics' Uncanny X-Men #129 in 1980. Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, she began as the cold-hearted White Queen of the mutant Hellfire Club. Over decades, she evolved into an antihero and eventually a leader of the X-Men. Her two core powers — telepathy and organic diamond transformation — make her one of the most versatile mutants in Marvel's roster.
Three actresses have played Frost on screen before Weaving. Finola Hughes portrayed her in the 1996 TV movie Generation X. Tahyna Tozzi appeared briefly in X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009. January Jones took the role in X-Men: First Class in 2011. The MCU reboot will be the character's first appearance in the main Marvel timeline, Flickering Myth noted.
Comic-Con Reveals Signal Marvel's Bold New Generation
The Weaving casting landed during a wave of major MCU announcements at San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Marvel also revealed Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider and David Jonsson as Prince T'Challa II in Black Panther 3, according to HiruNews. Together, the reveals signal a broad plan to introduce a younger, critically acclaimed ensemble across the post-Secret Wars slate.
The X-Men reboot is written by Lee Sung Jin, creator of Beef, and Joanna Calo, a key writer on The Bear. Schreier, who directed Thunderbolts, said of that project: "You don't want to just do what's expected. You want to make something that feels new." The hiring of prestige TV writers points to a character-driven film over a CGI spectacle.
Fans Largely Approve, but the Dream-Cast Debate Rages On
Fan reaction to Weaving's casting has been mostly positive, with many praising her attitude and genre credibility as a strong fit for the White Queen. Critics at SlashFilm and Den of Geek highlighted her "haughty, commanding" screen presence as ideal for the role, per IBTimes Singapore.
A vocal minority pushed back, arguing for alternatives like Hannah Waddingham, Lupita Nyong'o, or Margot Robbie. Marvel is expected to hold its official full-cast announcement at Disney's D23 Expo in mid-August 2026. The untitled X-Men film currently holds a May 5, 2028 release slot on Marvel's calendar.
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