Marvel boss Kevin Feige responds to rumors that Adam Pilote is ready to join the MCU. The actor is no stranger to Disney or blockbuster franchises, having played the main antagonist Kylo Ren in all three films in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy: 2015’s “The Force Awakens,” 2017’s “The Last Jedi,” and 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” Recently, social media has been filled with rumors that Driver is set to join the reboot of “X-Men” as the main antagonist. In a recent interview, Feige admitted that it’s “no secret” that he’d like to work with Driver, but there’s a catch.
Kevin Feige reveals the ‘tradition’ he has with Adam Driver
During a recent interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, Feige revealed that Driver had refused to join the MCU so many times that it had become a “tradition.”
Feige said, “It’s no secret we would love” to work with the “Star Wars” alum. However, he went on to say that it was “a tradition to Zoom with him and then he passes away. It’s a long-standing tradition.”
However, he noted that Driver “couldn’t be more cordial” with his rejection and “is generally candid about how he feels.”
He did not reveal which roles Driver rejected or why Driver refused to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Fans are optimistic about his Marvel future
@happysadconfused Kevin Feige says Adam Driver turning down Marvel has become a tradition
♬ original sound – Joshuahorowitz
Even though Driver hasn’t joined the MCU yet, fans took it as a good sign. “So we will see Adam Driver in Marvel exactly like his timing when they introduce the right character,” one fan commented.
“Driver would be a good Mysterio or villain of that nature,” another follower wrote. “I can’t really see him as a hero.”
“Adam Driver could be Magneto,” ventured a third fan, but another user replied: “I really hope there’s something to it that he’s not Magneto, but Mister Sinister… because I can see him being a good Mags, but MAN, he’d be a GREAT Sinister!!!”
Another fan agreed, writing, “I think it’s becoming Mister Sinister now, but who knows. The leakers are probably covering all their bases.”
Where the Adam Driver Casting Rumors for ‘X-Men’ Come From
SCOOP: We have our first casting call for the MCU X-Men reboot.
Sources tell me that Adam Driver has been cast as the villain. pic.twitter.com/oiESfJVY4N
– MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) July 13, 2026
Rumors that the “House of Gucci” actor was set to join the MCU surfaced on July 13. The X (formerly Twitter) account My Time To Shine Hello, claimed that Driver was “cast as the villain” in the MCU X-Men reboot.
Apocalyptic Horseman, a former Nexus Point News reporter with several successful scoops in the past, supported these claims, writing: “I can actually corroborate this. He’s playing Magneto.”
A few days later, on July 16, he posted another tweet with a correction, writing, “I’m sorry guys. Big mistake on my part, but hearing Adam Driver is grim.”
It’s unclear if Magneto will actually be in the film. When a fan asked, “So, do you have any thoughts on Magneto?” the scooper replied: “I was only saying he was in it because I had heard Driver but if Driver isn’t him then I’m not sure he’s in the movie.”
Fans have mixed feelings about this potential casting
So sorry guys. Big mistake on my part but hearing Adam Driver is grim.
Bill Skarsgard is indeed one of a handful of players in the Xavier mix. They target young people.
Cooper Hoffman is also in the mix for Cyclops. However, it is not the only choice.
More soon. https://t.co/rYEydby6LA
– Apocalyptic Horseman (@ApocHorseman) July 16, 2026
Interestingly enough, most of the users who commented seemed opposed to Driver’s casting. “Bruh…this whole thing sucks. Adam wasn’t a fit for Magneto, and he wasn’t a fit for Sinister. They need to bring back Fassbender and McAvoy as Magneto and Xavier,” one user wrote.
“Are all the possible actors white men? Wow, that’s so original. There’s nothing wrong with that at all,” another follower commented.
“Adam Driver: Magneto > Sinister > Stryker > Nobody! (Not in the movie),” questioned a third user.
Even though no one has been cast in the “X-Men” reboot yet, many fans are keeping their fingers crossed that casting will be announced at San Diego Comic Con.
Who is Mister Sinister?
It makes sense. pic.twitter.com/LfJc1hvvvF
— Shirt Rip Assemble (@ShirtRip) July 16, 2026
Dr. Nathaniel Essex is best known as Mister Sinister in the “X-Men” comics. He is a geneticist known for his incredible intelligence as he attempts to create the ultimate mutant. After allying himself with Apocalypse, he augmented his body and developed a multitude of skills, including telepathy, shapeshifting, and the ability to clone or alter mutants, such as Jean Grey.
Apocalypse was played by Oscar Isaac in “X-Men: Apocalypse” in 2016, but it remains to be seen if he will return to the MCU, since he also became the face of Moon Knight in the Disney+ series. If he returns, it wouldn’t be the first time Isaac and Driver have shared the screen together.
They first worked together in 2013’s “Inside Llewyn Davis.” Isaac went on to play Resistance pilot Poe Dameron for all three films in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy; however, he only shared scenes with Driver in “The Force Awakens”.
