Halle Berry Supports Maya Boyd as New Storm in Marvel’s X-Men Reboot

Transitioning an iconic superhero role is always a complex process, particularly when the original portrayal has significantly shaped a character’s legacy for fans. Few roles embody this legacy like Storm, the weather-manipulating mutant who played a crucial part in the early success of the X-Men franchise.

This legacy is now being passed on to a new actress, following Marvel Studios’ recent announcement of its rebooted X-Men cast at D23. One of the most notable surprises was the casting of newcomer Maya Boyd as Storm, a choice that instantly attracted attention due to the strong association audiences have with the original portrayal.

Halle Berry, who first brought Storm to life more than twenty years ago, has now shared her thoughts on the casting, expressing nothing but support for her successor. In a conversation with PEOPLE at the Create & Cultivate Festival in Los Angeles, Berry conveyed her excitement about Boyd stepping into the role. “I believe she’s going to kill it. You know what I mean?” Berry told PEOPLE regarding the new casting.

Instead of framing the transition as a simple handover, Berry emphasized that her interpretation of the character remains uniquely hers. “Yeah, there’s people playing Storm. No, my Storm was my Storm, and I wish her so well,” she remarked, while also expressing confidence in Boyd’s upcoming portrayal.

“I very much look forward to seeing what her version will be. I’m sure she’s going to murder it,” Berry added. This sentiment mirrors her previous experiences watching other actors take on the role of Catwoman, which she also famously portrayed, highlighting that each performer brings their own unique interpretation to the character.

Boyd’s role as Storm is part of a larger ensemble cast revealed for the untitled X-Men reboot, directed by Jake Schreier. The cast features Kit Connor as Scott Summers, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Christopher Abbott as Professor Charles Xavier, and Samara Weaving as Emma Frost.

Adam Driver has also joined the film as Nathaniel Milbury, a name linked to the comic book villain Mister Sinister, adding further intrigue to the project. With such a talented lineup, Boyd steps into the role of Storm alongside a cast that boasts considerable star power.

Berry first portrayed Ororo Munroe, known to fans as Storm, in the 2000 film ‘X-Men’, alongside Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden. She reprised the role in several sequels, solidifying Storm as one of the most recognizable portrayals of the character on screen for over a decade.

Alexandra Shipp later took on the character in the franchise’s prequel era, portraying a younger version of Storm in films like ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix.’ Now, as the character enters a new phase under the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Boyd is the latest actor entrusted with carrying Storm’s legacy forward.

For fans who grew up with Berry’s portrayal, her open support for Boyd’s casting is a reassuring sign as the reboot approaches. Rather than viewing the role as something to be guarded, Berry’s comments reflect a willingness to see the character reimagined for a new generation of viewers.

With the film’s cast now taking shape, excitement continues to grow for how this new iteration of the X-Men will set itself apart from previous film series.

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