Ben Wang could be heading from martial arts training to mutant superhero duty.
The Karate Kid: Legends actor is reportedly in talks to play Bobby Drake, better known as Iceman, in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot.
PinkNews reported the development on November 3, citing Deadline’s casting report, while TheWrap also reports that discussions are underway.
No completed casting agreement has been confirmed.
A familiar hero with a gay story
For LGBTQ+ fans, the interest extends beyond finding out who will wear the next superhero costume.
Iceman is one of the original X-Men, introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963.
His ability to generate and manipulate ice has made him a familiar part of the team across decades of comics and screen appearances.
His personal story has also changed significantly since the earlier films introduced him to cinema audiences.
As The Advocate documented in 2015, a younger, time-displaced version of Bobby was revealed to be gay in All-New X-Men #40.
The adult version subsequently acknowledged his sexuality too, bringing the storyline into the character’s present-day life.
For readers who had followed him for years, that created room to revisit a familiar hero through a different lens.
A new screen chapter
Shawn Ashmore played Iceman in the earlier live-action films, where Bobby’s romantic storyline involved Rogue.
Those appearances preceded his coming out in the comics.
PinkNews notes that the reboot’s approach to his sexuality remains unclear.
A reported casting discussion cannot tell us whether the new film will give Bobby a boyfriend, explore his identity or draw directly on his coming-out storyline.
It does, however, bring renewed attention to the distance between the character’s earlier screen portrayal and the stories comic readers have followed since.
Who is Ben Wang?
Wang’s credits include Disney+ series American Born Chinese and the lead role in Karate Kid: Legends.
Sony Pictures identifies his character in the latter film as Li Fong, a kung fu prodigy who moves to New York and finds himself on a new martial arts journey.
TheWrap also highlights his role in The Long Walk as part of a growing film career.
If the Iceman deal closes, it would add another major franchise to that list.
The X-Men reboot is directed by Jake Schreier, with reports currently listing a May 5, 2028 cinema release.
For gay superhero fans, the hopeful possibility is simple: a new screen version of Bobby could include the relationships and identity that are now part of his comic-book life.
For now, the casting talks are the news, and that screen story is still waiting to be revealed.
📷 Gage Skidmore / Marvel / Wikipedia
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