Garrett Wareing Expresses Strong Desire to Play Iceman in the MCU

Marvel’s mutant universe has been buzzing with speculation ever since Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ opened the door for the X-Men to officially join the MCU. With several familiar faces from the Fox franchise confirmed for ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ including Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Ian McKellen’s Magneto, fans have been debating who might fill the roles that are yet to be recast.

Iceman has emerged as one of the most talked-about characters in this ongoing discussion, particularly after original franchise actor Shawn Ashmore shared his thoughts on the next actor to take on the role. Ashmore, who portrayed Bobby Drake in four X-Men films, described the transition as bittersweet but expressed genuine excitement about seeing a new version of the character come to life.

Now, a rising star has thrown his hat into the ring for the role. Garrett Wareing, known for his performances in ‘The Long Walk’ and Netflix’s ‘Ransom Canyon,’ revealed during a red carpet event that he would love to portray Iceman in the MCU.

During his appearance at the Spirit Awards, Wareing candidly expressed his desire for the character. “I wanna play Bobby, Iceman, so badly. That’s what I’m hoping for,” he stated, as reported by Collider.

Wareing’s career has gained significant momentum over the past year, particularly following his standout performance as Stebbins in Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Long Walk.’ This role required Wareing and his co-stars to walk between eight and 15 miles a day during filming to authentically depict the grueling dystopian competition central to the story.

The film has garnered Wareing recognition beyond box office success, with the cast and crew receiving the Robert Altman Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards earlier this year. Wareing accepted the honor alongside co-star Joshua Odjick, director Francis Lawrence, and Mark Hamill. It was during this red carpet appearance that Wareing shared his aspirations for the Iceman role.

In addition to ‘The Long Walk,’ Wareing has built a diverse resume, starting with his acting debut alongside Dustin Hoffman in 2014’s ‘Boychoir’ at just 13 years old. He has since appeared in ‘Independence Day: Resurgence,’ the Steven Soderbergh-produced sci-fi thriller ‘Perfect,’ and had a recurring role on NBC’s ‘Manifest’ before landing his breakthrough role as Lucas Russell in ‘Ransom Canyon,’ which has already been renewed for a second season.

Interest in who might take over as Bobby Drake has intensified, especially with the ongoing discussions surrounding the X-Men’s integration into the MCU. With numerous actors mentioned in fan-casting conversations for various mutant roles, Wareing’s public comments stand out as a rare instance of an actor openly expressing interest in a specific X-Men character.

While such open campaigning isn’t uncommon in Hollywood, it adds a significant element to the ongoing dialogue about how Marvel Studios plans to manage its expanding mutant roster. Whether Wareing’s comments lead to any actual casting consideration remains uncertain, as Marvel has yet to announce any plans for a new Iceman.

Ashmore, for his part, has expressed enthusiasm about seeing what a new version of the character could look like, noting that playing Iceman in the original X-Men franchise was life-changing and remains a meaningful part of his career. This sentiment suggests that whoever ultimately takes on the role will be stepping into the shoes of an actor who truly valued the character.

For now, Wareing’s remarks add his name to a growing list of actors publicly expressing interest in joining Marvel’s expanding X-Men lineup, even as the studio keeps its actual casting plans closely guarded. Given his rising profile following ‘The Long Walk’ and ‘Ransom Canyon,’ it wouldn’t be surprising if his name continues to surface in these discussions moving forward.

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