After David Jonsson, Marvel Is Considering Another ‘The Long Walk’ Star for X-Men Role

Marvel Studios has been making waves during this year’s Comic-Con season, showcasing its knack for discovering new talent. A notable trend has emerged that has caught the attention of observant fans. Amid casting rumors and confirmed announcements, the studio seems to have developed a particular affinity for the cast of one specific film.

That film is ‘The Long Walk’, the recent adaptation of Stephen King’s work that has quietly turned into a talent reservoir for Marvel’s upcoming projects. With one major casting confirmation already secured and another rumor gaining traction, it’s hard to overlook how frequently this film is mentioned in discussions about Marvel’s future.

The confirmed aspect of this trend was revealed at Comic-Con, where director Ryan Coogler announced David Jonsson as the new face of ‘Black Panther’ in ‘Black Panther 3’. Jonsson, who starred in ‘The Long Walk’ alongside a talented cast, will portray an adult version of T’Challa’s son, Prince T’Challa II, a character first introduced as a young child in the closing moments of ‘Wakanda Forever’.

The announcement resonated deeply with those present. Jonsson appeared visibly moved as he expressed his gratitude to the Comic-Con audience. Letitia Wright, who reprises her role as Shuri, later shared her personal connection to Jonsson, noting that witnessing their journey come full circle left her in a reflective state, as she told Entertainment Weekly.

‘Black Panther 3’ is set to hit theaters on December 15, 2028, with Coogler returning to direct and co-write, alongside Wright and Winston Duke as M’Baku. Denzel Washington has also confirmed his involvement, adding even more star power to Coogler’s continuation of the Wakanda saga.

This casting news has sparked new speculation regarding a second potential Marvel role linked to the same King adaptation. Cooper Hoffman, another member of ‘The Long Walk’ cast, has been frequently mentioned in ongoing rumors as Marvel’s top choice to portray Cyclops in the anticipated ‘X-Men’ reboot.

According to various entertainment outlets citing industry insiders, Hoffman has emerged as a strong contender for the role of Scott Summers, the X-Men’s field leader, although no official confirmation has been made by Marvel Studios or major trade publications. At just 23 years old, Hoffman would bring a notably younger and less conventional interpretation of the character compared to previous live-action portrayals.

Fans quickly noticed the coincidence as both stories circulated closely together, humorously suggesting that Marvel must have been impressed with ‘The Long Walk’ to draw directly from its cast. Given the competitive nature of Marvel’s casting processes, selecting two potential leads from the same smaller-scale project within the same casting cycle is a noteworthy trend.

Whether Hoffman’s rumored casting as Cyclops becomes official remains to be seen, but the confirmed addition of Jonsson to the ‘Black Panther’ franchise marks a significant milestone for Coogler’s trilogy. With filming for the ‘X-Men’ reboot not expected to commence until next year, fans may have to wait a bit longer to see if Marvel’s apparent preference for ‘The Long Walk’ cast extends further.

‘Black Panther 3’ is scheduled for release on December 15, 2028.

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