We want to see this actor’s casting choice for a new Mystique in the Marvel Cinematic Universe come to life in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot. Mystique was previously portrayed by Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men franchise, and both developed the shape-changing, blue-skinned mutant with their own unique perspectives. Romijn may be reprising the role in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday, but the villain is expected to be reinvented for Jake Schreier’s X-Men reboot, though no actor has yet been cast.
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While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter during 2025’s San Diego Comic-Con back in July, Dafne Keen suggested her Whistle co-star, Sophie Nélisse, would make for a perfect Mystique. “I have been saying that I think she should play Mystique,” Keen noted when asked which character she thinks Nélisse should play in the MCU. “I think she’d be a great Mystique. She’s already wearing blue, I think she’d be good. Someone cast her.” Dafne Keen made her feature film debut in Logan in the fan-favorite role of X-23, which she reprised in Deadpool & Wolverine – her advocation of Nélisse won’t go unnoticed.
Aside from Dafne Keen’s recommendation for the role of Mystique, Sophie Nélisse has proven time and again that she would be a fantastic choice for the villain-turned-antihero. Nélisse herself is enthusiastic about possibly being in the running for Mystique, noting that she’s “manifesting that for [herself].” Canadian actor Nélisse is perhaps best known for playing Shauna Shipman in Showtime’s Yellowjackets series, portraying the younger version of Melanie Lynskey’s Shauna Sadecki. Nélisse’s role in Yellowjackets has shown off her dramatic talents and seen her be part of some morally-questionable storylines, just as Mystique would be in the MCU.
With Marvel Studios expected to take a younger approach to its X-Men reboot cast, 25-year-old Nélisse would be a wonderful choice for a more youthful Mystique. She could headline as the villain for years to come, allowing her to explore her evolution into an antihero, her establishment of the Brotherhood of Mutants, her connection to Rogue and Nightcrawler, and her romance with Destiny – aspects both Romijn and Lawrence’s interpretations ignored. Nélisse’s original career path as a gymnast would surely give her the ability to pull off Mystique’s more acrobatic moments, so she already may be uniquely qualified for the role.
Nélisse’s feature film debut back in 2011’s Monsieur Lazhar earned her a number of accolades, and her breakout role in 2013’s The Book Thief as the titular Liesel Meminger delivered even more, including a Hollywood Film Award, a Satellite Award, and a Young Artist Award. She has recently had key roles in The Kid Detective, Irena’s Vow, and the upcoming Whistle alongside Keen, but her career is really only just beginning. Marvel Studios has regularly taken on emerging and green stars and turned them into household names, and Sophie Nélisse would be a fantastic choice to be next in line.
Do you think Sophie Nélisse would make a good Mystique in the MCU? Let us know in the comments!
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image courtesy of 20th Century Studios
