Marvel’s next generation of X-Men is beginning to take shape, and Peter Claffey could be its latest addition. The Irish actor, best known for playing Ser Duncan the Tall in HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has reportedly landed the role of Hank McCoy, better known as Beast, in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot.
Knight Edge Media broke the casting report on 25 October 2026, although Marvel has yet to confirm the news publicly. The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 5 May 2028, with production expected to begin in the UK in early 2027.
Claffey’s reported casting follows announcements involving Sadie Sink, Kit Connor and other young actors, suggesting Marvel is building a fresh team rather than simply bringing back its previous generation.
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Why Peter Claffey Could Be Marvel’s New Beast
Beast, whose real name is Hank McCoy, is one of the X-Men’s founding members in Marvel Comics. Beyond his superhuman strength and agility, he is a gifted scientist whose intelligence is just as important as his physical abilities. His large hands and feet and, in many versions, blue fur make him one of the team’s most recognisable mutants.
Claffey’s reported casting follows Charles Melton’s departure from consideration for the role. Melton had previously been linked to Beast, but reports suggested that scheduling conflicts and his involvement in the live-action Naruto film had complicated matters.
Marvel has yet to confirm Claffey’s casting or the reported reason for the change. His role as Ser Duncan the Tall in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, however, has given him experience portraying a physically imposing character. Playing Beast would bring a different challenge, requiring him to balance the mutant’s formidable appearance with the scientific intelligence and personality that define Hank McCoy.
Who Else Is Joining the X-Men Reboot?
Marvel revealed several cast members at Disney’s D23 event in August 2026. According to Reuters, Sadie Sink will play Jean Grey, Kit Connor will portray Cyclops, Christopher Abbott will appear as Professor X, Inde Navarrette will play Rogue and Maya Boyd will take on Storm. Adam Driver is set to play Nathaniel Milbury, an identity associated with the villain Mister Sinister.
Samara Weaving has also been announced as Emma Frost, while Asa Germann has been linked to the role of Angel in casting reports. Those names should be distinguished from Claffey’s reported casting, which remains unconfirmed by Marvel.
The film will be directed by Jake Schreier, who also directed Thunderbolts. Lee Sung Jin, Joanna Calo and Michael Lesslie are writing the screenplay, according to TheWrap’s cast.
Why Marvel Is Starting With a New Generation
The reboot is part of Marvel’s plan to establish the X-Men within the Marvel Cinematic Universe after years of films produced under 20th Century Fox. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that the studio intends to recast the mutants following Avengers: Secret Wars, expected in 2027.
That gives Marvel room to tell stories centred on a younger team while building a longer future for the franchise. The previous films featured actors such as Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, whose performances helped define these characters for many viewers.
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