Mystique is well probably the most fascinating and morally advanced characters in X-Males historical past and fairly presumably your entire Marvel Comics Universe. Whereas she has typically been portrayed as a villain — given her alliance with Magneto — she operates with a practical and generally ruthless method pushed by survival, mutant rights, and even private motives. So, whereas she has dedicated acts of violence, which have been often motivated by a deep distrust of humanity, she did assist the X-Males on a couple of event within the comics and their diversifications.
With the introduction of Charles Xavier in Physician Unusual within the Multiverse of Insanity and the admission of Marvel Jesus, aka Deadpool, into the MCU, it’s changing into clear that the franchise is nearing a degree at which the X-Males will make their official look. Now, the concept of a rebooted solid isn’t out of the window, particularly since newer movies — equivalent to X-Males: First Class and X-Males: Apocalypse — have launched new actors to the franchise.
This leads us again to Mystique; she’s an inevitable addition to the MCU’s widening solid record and one of many fandom’s favourite mutants. So, it’s not all that shocking that followers are losing no time proposing their very own concepts on who ought to painting the character within the X-Males’s upcoming appearances throughout the MCU. Right here’s our tackle six actors who can be good as Mystique within the MCU:
Lesley-Ann Brandt
Most individuals know Lesley-Ann Brant for her portrayal of Mazikeen, a confidante and devoted ally of Lucifer from the favored Netflix sequence. She additionally briefly appeared in Gotham, the place she portrayed comedian e-book villain Copperhead. Given her lengthy historical past working with DC comics, Brandt definitely constructed up her resume that might simply seize the eye of DC’s competitor, Marvel, and even land her the position of Mystique.
Her portrayal of Mazikeen showcased her capability to play advanced, multifaceted characters, which makes her a fantastic candidate for a shape-shifting mutant. Actually, she has been a preferred alternative among the many followers for fairly a while, lots of whom have taken their opinions to Reddit, garnering an enormous quantity of constructive suggestions from others who may envision Brandt as Mystique.
Jodie Turner-Smith
The British actress, greatest recognized for her roles in Queen & Slim and After Yang, has been a topic of fan discussions and casting for fairly a while. Admittedly, most followers envisioned Jodie Turner-Smith as Storm, however a small part of X-Males and MCU followers have proposed the actress for the position of Mystique — particularly within the hypothetical X-Males: Evolution adaptation that might be a part of the MCU.
The actor is presently scheduled to look within the upcoming A Huge Daring Lovely Journey — starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell — and the upcoming Tron: Ares, the place she portrays Athena, an unstoppable pressure and a chilly and imposing chief of an elite particular forces unit. Each films are scheduled to be launched this yr.
Anya Taylor-Pleasure
Anya Taylor-Pleasure already made her Marvel Universe debut, although not within the MCU, however in The New Mutants film, as Illyana Rasputin, a Russian mutant with sorcery powers who can manifest the Soulsword. Oh, and she or he’s Colossus’ sister. Sadly, The New Mutants was an entire bust, each financially and critically, however that doesn’t imply that Taylor-Pleasure doesn’t deserve one other likelihood. Given her expertise and superb performing vary, there’s little doubt that she may painting all of Mystique’s complexities.
Chloe Bailey
Although she rose to fame as a singer and songwriter, Chloe Bailey, recognized mononymously as Chlöe, additionally starred in a number of films and TV exhibits even earlier than she launched her first studio album in collaboration together with her sister, Halle Bailey. She first appeared in 2003’s The Preventing Temptations, adopted by numerous films, earlier than lastly shifting to tv with 2018’s Grown-ish and 2023’s Swarm.
Bailey’s current performing endeavors demonstrated her adaptability and vary, reflecting a deep understanding of character improvement. That is vital when portraying a posh character like Mystique, particularly for the reason that shapeshifter is understood for her multifaceted nature and ethical ambiguity.
Alexa Demie
Alexa Demie, greatest recognized for her portrayal of Maddy Perez in HBO’s teen drama tv sequence Euphoria, is one more actress who’s typically fan-cast for the position of Mystique. She made a number of appearances in varied films and TV exhibits, the place she confirmed her vary and the flexibility to painting intense and layered characters.
The actor may simply assist Mystique get again to kind, particularly if the character is given a comic book book-accurate storyline and more room to develop within the MCU. To not point out that Demie’s non-public and enigmatic public picture mirrors Mystique’s secretive character.
Gemma Chan
Gemma Chan already has some historical past with the MCU — earlier than she portrayed the Prime Everlasting Sersi in 2021’s Eternals, she performed Minn-Erva, a Kree tactical sniper and a member of the Starforce from 2019’s Captain Marvel film. Reality be informed, Captain Marvel did very well with the audiences and on the field workplace, however Eternals flopped actually laborious.
Given her established presence within the MCU, casting her as Mystique might be a bit unconventional, however this wouldn’t be the primary time Marvel had the identical actor play totally different roles. Contemplating simply how poorly Eternals carried out, the portrayal of Mystique might be Chan’s redemption arc throughout the franchise: she definitely possesses the mandatory expertise and flexibility to tug this off.
Closing Ideas
Whereas these fan-driven discussions underscore every of the actors’ potential for portraying Mystique in her future look throughout the MCU, it’s actually vital to notice that these are largely speculative — particularly since Marvel Studios nonetheless haven’t made any official bulletins relating to the position or the casting. In the long run, we’ll simply have to attend and see who will get the position, and we hope that Marvel will contemplate one of many names on our record.