‘X-Men’ Spinoff ‘New Mutants’ To Star ‘Stranger Things’ Actor Charlie Heaton?

“Stranger Things” star Charlie Heaton is in talks to appear in the upcoming “X-Men” spinoff “New Mutants.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Heaton will play to the role of Sam Guthrie aka Cannonball in the young adult superhero movie. Cannonball is a teen who can propel himself into the air and is invulnerable while doing so. “The Witch and Split” star Anya Taylor-Joy and “Game of Thrones” cast member Maisie Williams have already signed on the project.

Read: What happened in the “X-Men: Apocalypse”?

Taylor-Joy will give life to the character of Illyana Rasputin aka Magik. Her special talents include traveling via teleportation discs and sorcery. Williams, on the other hand, will play the role of Rahne Sinclair aka Wolfsbane. The character will be struggling to reconcile her religious beliefs with her ability to turn herself into a wolf.

Rosario Dawson is also in negotiations to play the role of the trio’s mentor. She is a medical doctor who has the ability to generate protective biofiled around herself.

Meanwhile, FOX, which released “Deadpool” and “Logan,” is trying to redefine the superhero genre by focusing primarily on the younger generation. In general, the focus of the films to be released by the studio, revolve around young characters coming to terms with their super powers. They are typically held in a secret facility against their will and must battle the dangers of their respective powers.

“New Mutants” is slated to hit theaters in the United States on April 13, 2018. The film is being directed by Josh Boone. He and his partner, Knate Lee, also wrote the script for the “X-Men” spinoff. Filming for “New Mutants” will kick off in Boston sometime in July.

In other news, Heaton made headlines when he starred in the original Netflix series, “Stranger Things,” last year. In the show, he plays the role of Jonathan Byers. While speaking with W Magazine, Heaton revealed that he never went to a professional acting school before he was cast in the series. But thanks to his co-star and onscreen mom, Winona Ryder, he was taught that he can be vulnerable. “To work with someone like her – it’s kind of a bit of a master class,” he gushed.