‘Beef’ Star Charles Melton Still Wants in on Marvel’s ‘X-Men,’ Even After Missing the D23 Cast Reveal

Charles Melton has had one of the more remarkable career runs in recent memory, breaking out in Todd Haynes’s ‘May December’ before earning two Emmy nominations for his work in the second season of ‘Beef.’ That momentum had fans speculating for months that Melton might be next in line to join Marvel Studios’ long-awaited ‘X-Men‘ reboot, especially given his close creative ties to the film’s director and writer, both of whom he’d already worked with directly on ‘Beef.’

Those speculations reached a fever pitch heading into this year’s D23 event, where rumors suggested Melton could be revealed as part of the film’s new mutant lineup, potentially in the role of Hank McCoy, better known as Beast. When Marvel finally unveiled its cast on stage, however, Melton was notably absent, with reports later suggesting his potential casting had fallen through before the reveal ever happened, leaving fans surprised by the last-minute change.

Despite that setback, Melton made clear in a new interview that his interest in the project hasn’t gone anywhere. Speaking with Extra, Melton said it would be “incredible” to be part of the Marvel Studios ‘X-Men’ film, pointing directly to his history with the project’s creative team. “I love Lee Sung Jin and I know he wrote it and I know Jake Schreier directing it,” Melton said. “I want to work with them many more times.”

That connection runs deep. Both Lee Sung Jin, the creator of ‘Beef,’ and director Jake Schreier previously worked together on ‘Thunderbolts*,’ with Lee co-writing the script alongside ‘The Bear’ writer Joanna Calo before the pair reunited to write Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ reboot as well. Melton starred in the second season of Lee’s Netflix anthology series, giving him firsthand experience working alongside the same creative voice now shaping the new X-Men film.

Schreier has described his approach to the material as one balancing ideology with the kind of interpersonal, soap-opera-style drama that defined the earliest Chris Claremont-era X-Men comics, aiming to root the film’s larger themes in genuine personal stakes among its characters. That vision, paired with Melton’s clear admiration for both collaborators, explains why he remains so vocal about wanting a spot in the project even after missing the initial casting wave.

Marvel’s confirmed cast so far includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Adam Driver as the villainous Mister Sinister. The role of Beast remains unfilled following Melton’s reported departure from consideration, leaving the door open for either a new casting search or, potentially, a change of heart from all parties involved down the line.

With Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirming the reboot will follow ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ on the release calendar, there’s still plenty of time before production locks in its full roster. Given how openly Melton continues to campaign for a role, don’t be surprised if his name resurfaces the next time Marvel has an opening to fill, especially with Beast still very much up for grabs.

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