Marvel’s X-Men reboot is still two years away, and yet the MCU’s first X-Men team already has one clear opponent. Adam Driver has been cast to play Minister Sinister in the 2028 film, and based on the character’s reputation as one of the X-Men’s greatest villains, there’s little doubt he’ll prove to be a massive threat to Marvel’s Merry Mutants. However, there’s no confirmation he’ll be the main antagonist, nor is it known if he’ll be the only villain on hand.

Over the years, Marvel has built a sizable rogues’ gallery for the X-Men. There’s no shortage of villains for them to fight, with Minister Sinister just being one among dozens of characters who could realistically show up in a mutant-centric MCU film. For as long as Marvel Studios spotlights the X-Men, all sorts of X-Men villains, ranging from the iconic to obscure, are likely to burst onto the scene. For some, it may be a return from a long absence on the big screen, whereas for others, it could mark a long-awaited, live-action debut.

Of course, many be saved for much later in the X-Men’s lifetime. Characters that represent modern chapters of X-Men lore or stories that perhaps require years of buildup, such as Vulcan, Onslaught, Stryfe, and Exodus may be saved as villains for future X-Men generations to do battle with. Others, like Sabertooth, Omega Red, and Silver Samurai, are so strongly connected to Wolverine that they may not be utilized after a new Logan is chosen, and right now, there’s no indication that Wolverine will be on the roster.

In the meantime, Marvel has plenty it can do right away in regards to which villains it throws at its first X-Men team, which is expected to come together in the 2028 reboot and could appear in multiple movies before a new lineup is formed.

6

Magneto

The most obvious choice for a villain role alongside Minister Sinister is their original archenemy, Magneto. X-Men comics evolved Magneto into a “frenemy,” someone who clashed ideologically with Charles Xavier over mutantkind’s supposed superiority over humanity, but ultimately wanted what was best for his people. The X-Men movies were in line with this interpretation. The early comics, on the other hand, offered a more black-and-view of the Magneto character, who literally led a team called the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants.

Chances are, the MCU will also deliver a nuanced take on the Master of Magnetism, but that doesn’t mean he’ll start out as an ally. Like his comic counterpart, Magneto could begin his arc as a straightforward villain leading a group of mutant criminals. For now, though, it’s unclear if Magneto – in spite of his importance to their overarching journey – will be a part of their first full movie.

5

Sebastian Shaw

Although less famous than the likes of Magneto, Juggernaut, Mystique, and other high-profile X-Men threats, Sebastian Shaw has a higher likelihood than most to appear in the X-Men reboot. And fundamentally, that’s due to the confirmed inclusion of Samara Weaving as Emma Frost. An appearance from Emma Frost is indicative of a storyline that involves the mysterious and age-old mutant organization known as the Hellfire Club. Shaw was the leader of its New York branch.

Emma Frost developed into a prominent X-Men ally, but was originally defined by her longtime membership in the Hellfire Club. She also factored into the plans of Sebastian Shaw. The conniving mutant businessman often schemed against the X-Men and spared no one in his quest for power, as evidenced by his eagerness to control the mutant-killing Sentinels.

4

Juggernaut

Among the exciting options for a villain role in the X-Men reboot is none other than Juggernaut. As one of the heavyweights of the Marvel Universe, Juggernaut would be a force to be reckoned with whom the X-Men would be hard-pressed to beat. He outclasses all X-Men in the category of strength, meaning that teamwork and careful implementation of their various abilities and skillsets would be needed to take him on.

He’d be a great challenge to throw at them, but also present the MCU with some interesting storytelling opportunities for future movies to delve into afterward. After all, Juggernaut is a frequent opponent to characters like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Hulk, so it’s not hard to imagine the villain fighting one of them in a separate film.

3

Black Tom Cassidy

If Juggernaut were to appear in the reboot or one of its sequels, there’s a good chance he’d be accompanied by Black Tom Cassidy, an Irish mutant capable of channeling energy blasts through wood and the classic rival of X-Men hero Banshee. Black Tom Cassidy was a recurring X-Men villain who regularly used his unlikely friendship with the Juggernaut as an asset in his battles with the team.

In contrast to characters like Magneto, Mystique, Toad, and even Juggernaut, Black Tom Cassidy is an unapologetically evil and ruthless criminal motivated purely by self-interest, jealousy, and hatred. With that in mind, he’d be a solid choice for a villain if the story demands an antagonist without redeemable qualities.

2

Sauron

One of the most unique characters in the rogues’ gallery of the X-Men, Sauron is a scientist who transformed himself into a pterodactyl-like monster, making him similar in essence to the Lizard in Spider-Man’s comics. Introduced all the way back in 1969’s X-Men #59, Sauron has taken many of his battles with X-Men to the Savage Land, a place in Antarctica occupied by prehistoric creatures. The original X-Men were the first superheroes to visit the Savage Land in Marvel Comics.

The Savage Land is easily one of the most important corners of the Marvel Universe that the MCU has yet to explore (apart from a brief trip there in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness). And given its ties to the X-Men, it would be a fitting place to send the X-Men for their first mission. Such a story could also be what finally introduces Ka-Zar, the Marvel Comics equivalent to Tarzan.

1

Apocalypse

Admittedly, Apocalypse could be on the waiting list of X-Men villains to join the MCU for a long time, as he’s a top-tier threat powerful enough to warrant either a crossover or a storyline that encompasses multiple movies. But, if Marvel’s next major chapter follows a formula akin to that of the Infinity Saga, it may choose a “big bad” for the first X-Men to battle in its final act, and Apocalypse would absolutely be a candidate for that.

As opposed to the first and last movie to use Apocalypse (X-Men: Apocalypse), the MCU may begin laying the groundwork for him as early as its first X-Men installment. Notably, Marvel has already cast Angel, a character who would be crucial to a proper “Age of Apocalypse” adaptation. It’s possible that the first X-Men movie will be the first step in a long journey that will eventually see Warren Worthington III become Archangel in a story centered on Apocalypse.

Release Date

May 5, 2028

Director

Jake Schreier

Writers

Joanna Calo, Lee Sung Jin, Michael Lesslie