The “X-Men: Apocalypse” universe just got a bit bigger, as director Bryan Singer announced Kodi Smit-McPhee will join the all-star cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender.
“Excited to welcome @kodismitmcphee to the cast of #XmenApocalypse as young #Nightcrawler,” Singer posted to his Instagram account on Tuesday evening.
Smit-McPhee is best known for another apocalyptic film, an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road,” as well as the lead voice in the animated “ParaNorman” and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”
Nightcrawler, aka Kurt Wagner, is a mutant with powers of adhesive hands and feet, major agility and the ability to teleport.
Smit-McPhee is one of several hires brought in to play younger versions of their established franchise characters. Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner and Alexandra Shipp will portray Cyclops, Jean Grey and Storm, respectively. Alan Cumming previously wore the sticky gloves and shoes of Nightcrawler in 2003’s “X-Men 2.”
The film also stars James McAvoy, Hugh Jackman and Oscar Issac as a mutant antagonist.