Lenore Zann Blesses Inde Navarrette for Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ Casting

Marvel Studios finally revealed its long-awaited ‘X-Men‘ reboot during the D23 presentation in Anaheim on Friday night, showcasing a new mutant lineup. A standout announcement was the casting of Inde Navarrette, known for her breakout role in ‘Obsession,’ as Rogue. This character’s live-action legacy has largely been shaped by Anna Paquin’s more subdued portrayal in the original Fox trilogy from the 2000s.

The casting news sparked immediate reactions online, with fans and fellow performers sharing their thoughts on the direction this new version of Rogue might take. Kevin Feige confirmed the full lineup during the panel, which includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Navarrette as Rogue, with Adam Driver taking on the role of the villainous Mister Sinister.

Among the many well-wishes, one stood out in the fandom. Lenore Zann, who voiced Rogue in the original 1990s animated series, “X-Men ’97,” and the “Marvel Rivals” game, shared a video message from Dublin welcoming Navarrette to the role, gloves on for the occasion. In her clip, Zann expressed her excitement to meet Navarrette and looked forward to seeing what she brings to the character, signing off with her signature Southern drawl and a reminder to “spread some sugar around.”

Navarrette responded graciously to Zann’s message on social media, calling it an honor and thanking her for the kind words. The two continued their exchange publicly, with Zann playfully telling her she was “so welcome, Sugah” and joking about meeting for coffee the next time she’s in Los Angeles.

For many in the X-Men fanbase, Zann’s portrayal of Rogue remains the definitive version. She originated the character’s voice in 1992 and returned for “X-Men ’97” in 2024, showcasing a fuller representation of Rogue than the films provided. Zann’s portrayal highlighted her flight, super strength, and comic-accurate confidence, contrasting with the more restrained depiction seen in Paquin’s performance.

This distinction is crucial for critics evaluating Navarrette’s casting. According to SlashFilm, previous live-action versions of Rogue never showcased her ability to fly or utilize her full power set, something fans hope this new MCU iteration will finally address, especially after “X-Men ’97” reestablished what a fully realized version of the character looks like.

Navarrette’s casting caps what has been described as one of the fastest rises among the new roster, transitioning from a supporting role on a canceled CW show to landing a lead part in Marvel’s mutant reboot in just six months. Director Jake Schreier is at the helm of the film, with a script credited to “Beef” creator Lee Sung Jin and “The Bear” co-showrunner Joanna Calo. The movie is set to release on May 5, 2028.

The X-Men have not assembled on screen since Fox’s 2019 film ‘Dark Phoenix,’ which featured James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Sophie Turner. This new roster marks the franchise’s first true team assembled within the MCU. With more casting announcements anticipated in the coming weeks, Navarrette’s introduction alongside Zann’s heartfelt blessing has already provided fans with one of the most touching moments from this year’s D23 reveal.

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