Cynthia Erivo is still basking in the acclaim for her portrayal of Elphaba in the 2024 film Wicked, but she’s already eyeing exciting new opportunities. In a recent conversation with the National Board of Review, she expressed her desire to take on the role of one of the most legendary female superheroes in cinematic history.
“I have a strong wish to play Storm,” Erivo shared on the red carpet at the National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York City. She believes that the beloved X-Men character has not yet been fully realized on screen. “It may seem trivial, but I think there’s so much about her complexity and the struggles she faces that we haven’t yet explored. I’m convinced we could create something truly remarkable with that,” she added.
So far, Storm has been portrayed in live-action twice: first by Halle Berry in the X-Men films produced by Fox during the 2000s and early 2010s, and later by Alexandra Shipp in the prequel entries X-Men: Apocalypse and X-Men: Dark Phoenix. The character has also consistently appeared in various animated X-Men productions over the years, with Alison Sealy-Smith recently voicing a version of Storm in Marvel’s What If…? Season 3.
Currently, Storm’s future in live-action films remains uncertain. Since acquiring the X-Men film rights, Marvel Studios has hinted at mutant connections but has yet to lay out specific plans for the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As such, fans are left wondering when Storm might finally make her much-anticipated live-action debut in this expansive franchise. However, as Marvel prepares for that moment, they know at least one prominent actress is eager to step into the role.
Wicked is currently playing in theaters.