Cody Rhodes, known in WWE as The American Nightmare, is once again at the center of the conversation, but this time far from the ring. The wrestler, who is expanding his career as an actor, could be close to joining the Marvel Studios X-Men cinematic universe, according to speculation that arose from statements he made during the promotion of his new film, Street Fighter.
The topic is relevant now because Marvel Studios is immersed in preparing its X-Men reboot, a project with a confirmed release date and a cast that is already beginning to take shape. Any hint of new additions immediately generates attention among fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A comment that sparked speculation
It all started during an interview with Cody Rhodes alongside Andrew Schulz, his co-star in Street Fighter, at New York Comic Con. While talking about his hobbies, Rhodes mentioned the Marvel mutants in a way that caught everyone's attention.
"I am an X-Men, I love all that," the wrestler commented. The phrase surprised Schulz, who immediately asked him what he had just said, noting that it had sounded like an announcement.
That spontaneous reaction is what has served as fuel for Marvel fans to begin speculating about a possible addition of Rhodes to the highly anticipated cinematic reboot of the mutants.
A visit to Marvel Studios that now takes on a new meaning
The detail that has finally fueled the rumors is that Cody Rhodes recently visited the Marvel Studios offices in Burbank. On its own, that visit does not prove the existence of any signed contract, as Rhodes is a well-known comic book fan and has spoken on several occasions about his admiration for the X-Men.
However, the combination of that visit, his public statements, and Schulz's reaction has been enough for part of the community to connect the dots. There is also a much simpler explanation: that both actors were joking to generate conversation in the middle of the Street Fighter promotion, something common in these types of media campaigns.
The characters he could play
If Cody Rhodes were to join the X-Men, there are several comic book characters that could fit his physique and stage presence.
Cable and Sebastian Shaw, two names that sound strong
One of the most mentioned is Cable, the powerful mutant from the future. Rhodes has experience playing physically imposing characters, which could fit the intensity required by this warrior hardened in apocalyptic scenarios. The drawback is that Josh Brolin already brought Cable to life in Deadpool 2, although that would not prevent Marvel Studios from opting for a new version of the character.
Another option circulating among fans is Sebastian Shaw, a historic antagonist of the X-Men and a prominent figure in the Hellfire Club. Shaw combines power, arrogance, and a dominant personality, traits that Rhodes has built over years in his WWE characters.
The possibility of him lending his voice to a character in the third season of X-Men '97 has also been mentioned. For the moment, all these options are mere hypotheses, as there is no official confirmation regarding any specific role.
From Street Fighter to a possible second life in Marvel
While his future is clarified, Cody Rhodes has another relevant project on his hands: he plays Guile in Street Fighter, the film adaptation of the well-known fighting video game. This role adds to an acting career that already includes appearances in series like Arrow and the movie The Naked Gun.
Rhodes would not be the first professional wrestler to find a second career in Hollywood. Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, and Dave Bautista have previously shown that the jump from wrestling to film can be successful, leveraging their physical presence and charisma to connect with the public.
The new generation of X-Men being prepared by Marvel Studios
The X-Men reboot will be directed by Jake Schreier, responsible for Thunderbolts*, and seeks to introduce a new generation of mutants within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to the information available about the project, the cast will include Kit Connor as Scott Summers, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, and Inde Navarrette as Rogue. Also featured are Asa Germann as Angel, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Christopher Abbott in the role of Professor Charles Xavier.
Joining them are Samara Weaving as Emma Frost and Adam Driver as Nathaniel Milbury, one of the aliases used by Mister Sinister in the comics. There are also rumors about a possible appearance of Apocalypse as one of the great threats of this new stage, although that information remains without official confirmation.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2028.
Accidental leak or promotional strategy?
The big question that remains in the air is whether Cody Rhodes accidentally revealed something that was meant to be kept secret or if he was simply playing with the fans' expectations. Both explanations are equally plausible.
The truth is that Rhodes has several characteristics that could make him an interesting addition to Marvel: experience in front of the cameras, a notable physical presence, and a genuine knowledge of comic books. For now, the official announcement, if it comes, has yet to happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did Cody Rhodes say about the X-Men?
During an interview with Andrew Schulz at New York Comic Con, Rhodes stated "I am an X-Men, I love all that," a phrase his partner interpreted as a possible unintentional announcement.
Has Marvel Studios confirmed the signing of Cody Rhodes?
No. So far there is no official confirmation from Marvel Studios regarding the addition of Cody Rhodes to the X-Men.
What character could Cody Rhodes play in the X-Men?
Among the speculations, Cable and Sebastian Shaw stand out as possible candidates, although a possible participation as a voice in X-Men '97 has also been mentioned. No option is confirmed.
In what other movie does Cody Rhodes currently appear?
Cody Rhodes plays Guile in Street Fighter, the film adaptation of the fighting video game, whose promotion was the setting where the rumors about Marvel arose.
When does the Marvel Studios X-Men reboot premiere?
The new X-Men film, directed by Jake Schreier, is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 5, 2028.
Who is part of the confirmed cast of the new X-Men?
The cast includes, among others, Kit Connor, Sadie Sink, Inde Navarrette, Asa Germann, Maya Boyd, Christopher Abbott, Samara Weaving, and Adam Driver, in different roles of mutants and related characters.
