Inde Navarrette, who will play Rogue in Marvel's upcoming X-Men reboot, has revealed that her earlier public praise for Mystique was more than just fandom—it was a carefully planted clue. In a new interview, the actress admitted she already knew she'd landed the role of Rogue when she gushed about Mystique months before the official announcement.
Speaking with Collider during the awards push for her horror film Obsession, Navarrette was asked about her July comments where she expressed a desire to play Mystique. Her response? "I did know, but that wasn't a lie," she said. "I love Marvel and specifically X-Men. That is my crack."
Navarrette's connection to Mystique runs deeper than casual admiration. In the comics, Mystique is Rogue's adoptive mother, a relationship that adds layers of complexity to both characters. "The way that that character is, it's so complicated, and it's so nuanced when you have the originality of the story," she explained. "Her and Rogue are also very similar, you know what I mean, if you've read the comics."
The actress, who grew up watching the earlier X-Men films and idolized Rebecca Romijn's portrayal of Mystique, said she was dropping hints that nobody picked up on. "I was like, 'If anybody's picking up what I'm putting down?', but nobody did," she laughed. "So it wasn't a lie, but it was a little like a rabbit in the hat situation."
Navarrette's casting as Rogue is a significant one. The character's mutant ability to absorb powers and memories through touch makes intimacy dangerous, a theme that echoes her role in Obsession, where she plays a woman whose bodily autonomy is stripped away. Both roles require an actress who can convey vulnerability beneath extraordinary circumstances.
For fans of the X-Men lore, Navarrette's comments offer a fun behind-the-scenes glimpse into the casting process. The X-Men film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2028, and anticipation is already building. If you're hungry for more Marvel mutant content, check out our look at how 'Legion' turned X-Men lore into a surreal masterpiece.
Navarrette's journey from indie horror to superhero blockbuster is a testament to her range. As she puts it, "But I love Mystique, dude. Oh my God, love her." With Rogue, she's about to bring another complex, beloved character to life—and this time, the hints are all out in the open.
