Disney packed the latest D23 event with updates on projects like Star Wars: Starfighter and The Incredibles 3. Some of the biggest news came from Marvel, which revealed the first X-Men casting lineup for the franchise’s reboot. Samara Weaving’s involvement has been announced, with the Ready or Not actor playing Emma Frost. Sadie Sink’s involvement was expected to carry over from Spider-Man: Brand New Day. While rumors swirled about casting, they became official only at D23.
As a massive MCU and X-Men fan, I was eager to hear the casting, and the reveal didn’t disappoint. They announced Kit Connor as Cyclops, Christopher Abbott as Charles Xavier, Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, and Adam Driver as Mr. Sinister, one of their greatest foes. Driver is also perfect casting, in my opinion. Still, each cast member attended to celebrate the news, except Driver, who appeared via video message. He joked that he might be playing Magneto before assuring fans he was taking on Nathaniel Milbury, aka Nathaniel Essex. Driver’s announcement was recorded in a location familiar to loyal film fans, sparking theories it was a tease for another secret Disney project.
Why Was Adam Driver at Pinewood Studios?
Pinewood Studios is one of the most notable filming locations in the world, having housed productions from franchises like Harry Potter, James Bond, and Star Wars. This makes it recognizable, and many believe it was the filming location for Driver’s X-Men casting video. So why was the actor there? He could be there for upcoming projects listed on his IMDb page, like The Dealer or Rabbit, Rabbit. However, both productions appear to be taking place in the United States, far from Pinewood Studios in the UK. With Driver, Pinewood, and Disney all linked to Star Wars, fans began to speculate that the actor’s X-Men announcement could be a bigger tease.
Numerous fans took to social media, noting Driver’s location, like @m_stormwitch on X, who wrote:
Disney WANTED people to clock that Adam’s video was shot at Pinewood Studios. He had no reason to be there for an mcu movie that doesn’t start shooting before next yr. He’s there for something else. And we know what that something else is. That was a very well planted Easter Egg.
X user @llostandromeda shared their excitement, while also touching on the major Star Wars theory that seems to be taking hold, writing:
“I’m actually spiraling a little bit why the fuck is he at pinewood. If I don’t get an actual explanation I’m just gonna have to assume it’s for the exact reason I want him to be there.”
Was It ‘The Hunt for Ben Solo’ or ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Scenes?
Driver’s presence at Pinewood Studios has led many to believe his canceled Star Wars project may be coming back to life. The Hunt for Ben Solo was a film Driver developed with director Steven Soderbergh to explore Ben Solo/Kylo Ren’s story. While Lucasfilm liked the project, Disney executives decided not to move forward. Fans tried to save the film, but it remains canceled. Having Driver secretly working on it could be the ultimate tease, but according to Dave Filoni, President and Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm, that is not the case.
Speaking with Variety at D23, Filoni was asked about Driver’s return to Star Wars. Filoni said, “It’s not here, you won’t find it here. The force is not with us in that regard; I love the love you feel for it.” Still, that hasn’t quelled speculation, my own included, with those like @tynmints commenting on the Filoni video, “He literally did the Jedi mind trick while saying it. They are in fact doing it.”
Given that D23 is a massive stage to appeal to fans, Driver could be using his presence at Pinewood to spur fervor and show the studio there is a viable fan interest in The Hunt for Ben Solo. If it gains traction, Disney could finally greenlight the movie. It could also tease something different, since Marvel often shoots at Pinewood. There is also a chance Avengers: Doomsday needed shots of Mr. Sinister. Adding the beloved X-Men villain to a Doomsday tease would thrill me as a fan who has long waited to see the character. Still, it remains a mystery that we’ll have to wait until December to uncover.
