Inde Navarrette Is Taking Her ‘X-Men’ Rogue Prep Very Seriously

For years, fans have waited to see the mutants properly settle into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The ‘X-Men‘ joining the MCU became possible with Disney’s 2019 acquisition of Fox’s film studio, but the actual roster has only recently started to come into focus.

Marvel Studios exec Kevin Feige announced the inaugural members of the mutant team at D23, including Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost, Christopher Abbott as Professor X and Maya Boyd as Storm, with Adam Driver playing the villainous Mister Sinister. Rounding out that lineup is ‘Obsession’ breakout Inde Navarrette, who will play Rogue.

Now, the actress is revealing just how seriously she is treating the part. In a new Los Angeles Times interview, Navarrette says she has studied the character closely for herself, for director Jake Schreier and for what she wants as a fan. Her summary of the effort is simple: “I’m doing everything, exclamation point.”

That level of devotion fits the story of her past few months. The same Los Angeles Times profile also covers her breakout year and the origin of her name, a childhood nickname from her grandfather and mother that is short for independence. Rogue is clearly the next big chapter in that story.

It also isn’t the first time Navarrette has tipped her hand about Marvel. Before the casting was official, she confirmed on Variety’s ‘Up Next’ podcast that she had met with Schreier, and teased that “Mystique has always been super cool.” Rogue wound up being the role Marvel had in mind.

The timing is hard to ignore, given how big her year has been. ‘Obsession’ has grossed $500 million worldwide, and her performance as Nikki already earned her a Critics’ Choice Award, followed by the Breakthrough Actress Award for film. Few actors step into a franchise role with that much momentum.

Her approach to Rogue’s voice shows the same commitment. She told Entertainment Tonight she plans to draw on the Southern women she remembers from Corpus Christi, Texas, where she spent much of her life, and also intends to visit Mississippi to refine the accent. Rogue is from Mississippi, so that detail matters to fans.

The expectations are real, because Rogue already has a loyal following. Lenore Zann, who voices Rogue in ‘X-Men ’97,’ congratulated Navarrette in an Instagram video after the D23 reveal. The last live-action Rogue fans saw was Anna Paquin’s version in Fox’s ‘X-Men’ movies.

Not everyone has greeted the casting with open arms. Her casting sparked fan debate over her fame from ‘Obsession,’ and Cailee Spaeny had been a popular fan-cast pick before the announcement. Some fans have also questioned whether she can pull off the Southern accent, even though the actress many consider the gold standard for Rogue is Australian by birth. Navarrette’s all-in attitude looks like the best answer to those doubts.

There’s still plenty of time for her to prove it. The ‘X-Men’ movie hits theaters on May 5, 2028. Before then, she hosts the Halloween episode of ‘Saturday Night Live’ on October 31.

Meanwhile, the larger mutant puzzle is still coming together. Most of the original ‘X-Men’ cast members are reprising their roles in this year’s ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ where they’ll cross over with MCU stars to battle Doctor Doom. If Navarrette’s preparation is any sign, the new generation will be ready when its turn comes.

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