Cody Rhodes Makes X-Men Confession Amid Ongoing Marvel Casting Rumors
Cody Rhodes is one of the few WWE stars who has openly pursued a Hollywood career, and speculation about his potential involvement in the X-Men franchise has been intensifying in recent weeks. Fans have been analyzing his social media activity and public appearances, even though there has been no official confirmation regarding any casting.
Rhodes is set to make his big-screen debut as Guile in ‘Street Fighter,’ which is scheduled to hit theaters on October 16, released by Legendary and Paramount. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the film is set in 1993 and boasts a star-studded cast, including Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Jason Momoa as Blanka, and Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki.
During the promotional tour, Rhodes has had numerous opportunities to showcase his geeky side. In a recent interview with Nerdist’s Maude Garrett, he declared himself an X-Men, prompting a surprised reaction from co-star Schulz. The clip quickly gained traction online, igniting fan theories about what Rhodes might be hinting at.
Cody Rhodes: “I’m an X-Men”
Andrew Schulz: “Wait… you are? What did you just say?”
(via @nerdist) https://t.co/5TKM50kivd— CoveredGeekly (@CoveredGeekly) October 15, 2026
In the interview, Rhodes expressed his enthusiasm for the X-Men and anything related to Patrick Stewart. He also shared that he played Wolverine and Ryu in the ‘Marvel vs. Capcom’ crossover games. To everyone’s surprise, he passionately argued that Cyclops is the best X-Man, praising Scott Summers for leading a notoriously dysfunctional team.
While Schulz suggested characters like Jubilee and Gambit as alternatives, Rhodes remained steadfast in his choice. He acknowledged Wolverine’s popularity but maintained his support for Cyclops. David Dastmalchian, who portrays M. Bison, chimed in to declare Professor X as his favorite.
This interview adds to the growing narrative surrounding Rhodes. In late August, he posted an Instagram Story from Marvel Studios in Burbank, California, which sparked speculation about a possible role in the MCU. He later shared another story of himself signing autographs while the ‘X-Men ’97’ theme played in the background.
Fans have speculated about various characters he could portray, including Sabretooth, Bastion, Havok, Cable, Colossus, and Bishop. A viral clip from Schulz’s podcast featured Rhodes reacting to a question about Rogue, but it’s important to note that Inde Navarrette has already been cast as Rogue, as revealed at D23.
It’s crucial to emphasize that none of this speculation confirms anything. Many outlets have pointed out that Rhodes’ studio visit and Instagram posts could simply reflect his passion for the franchise, and the visit may have occurred earlier than the clip suggests. Marvel has yet to announce any casting for Rhodes.
Even if Marvel has plans for Rhodes, fans will have to wait. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set to premiere this December, followed by ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ roughly a year later, and the next ‘X-Men’ film isn’t scheduled until May 2028. The reboot has already begun assembling its cast, including Samara Weaving as Emma Frost and Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury, an alias for Mister Sinister in the comics.
Rhodes has some comic-book experience, having appeared in 7 episodes of ‘Arrow’ as Derek Sampson and previously pursuing the role of Black Bolt for Marvel’s ‘Inhumans’ series in 2016. He also had a role in ‘The Naked Gun’ in 2025.
Wrestlers have had a mixed history in the Marvel universe. Becky Lynch filmed material for ‘Eternals’ that was ultimately cut, and Seth Rollins was attached to ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ before his role was removed from the final cut. This history makes fans cautious, but it hasn’t stopped the speculation.
For now, Rhodes has other priorities. Early reviews of ‘Street Fighter’ have been mixed, with critics divided over the writing and tone. However, many have praised Rhodes, with one critic noting that he steals the scenes he appears in.
If the film resonates with audiences, it could elevate his profile in Hollywood at a crucial time. A successful reception might also encourage Marvel to explore what he could bring to a superhero role. Until then, fans will continue to analyze every Instagram Story for hints.
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