Twilight Actor Edi Gathegi Cast as Darwin in X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
Matthew Vaughn and Fox have added onto the casting of X-Men: First Class with the inclusion of Twilight actor Edi Gathegi. He has been cast in the role of the mutant Darwin. The character was created by writer Ed Brubaker and artist Pete Woods, and he first appeared in X-Men: Deadly Genesis #2.
Gathegi will join James McAvoy as Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Alice Eve as Emma Frost, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee, Lucas Tillas Havoc and Kevin Bacon is playing the villain.
It seems like they are throwing in all kinds of X-Men, I hope this movie doesn't turn out overwhelmingly cluttered.
Here is a description of Darwins power:
Darwin's mutation is in a state of continual reaction, adapting to whatever his current situation demands. For example, if placed in total darkness his eyes automatically adapt to allow him to see; if underwater he grows functioning gills; if exposed to fire his body becomes fireproof; if falling, his bones soften & his body elasticizes to cushion his landing; or if exposed to the void of space, he stops requiring oxygen & the density of his skin & internal structure increase. His mutation's adaptivity seems limitless; however, he lacks conscious control, & his adaptations are purely instinctive. Thus far, Darwin's mutation has not displayed any capacity for generating energy beyond converting his physical form into same. It has also afforded him a genius-level intellect, & he has shown the capacity to learn new skills & languages with only limited exposure.
Here is Darwin's Background story from Marvel:
Born a strange looking mutant, Armando Munoz was left alone with his mother at age 4 after his father rejected him & left. His mother resented Armando for his father's selfishness and Armando resolved to make her happy again. Four years later, testing revealed his genius-level intelligence & private academies offered to fund continuing education; which of course pleased his mother, albeit not for reasons Arando would hope for. His mother gladly enrolled him in the Biltmore Academy boarding school, where he was bullied relentlessly for years due to his appearance until, at age 15, his latent mutant ability manifested & he fought back, subconsciously hardening his hands and beating the bullies unconscious. Later, during a visit home, he saved his mother's life after her smoking caused a fire. The senior scientist at Biltmore tested Armando and published a paper about his ability that 'outed' him as a mutant and dubbed him "Darwin, the Evolving Boy."
Rejected by his mother, Armando attempted suicide, but his mutation saved him. The resident psychiatrist recommended Armando to renowned geneticist Moira MacTaggert, who took him in & began training him in the use of his powers. He and MacTaggert's other young students were later recruited by Moira's colleague Professor Charles Xavier to join his X-Men and rescue the team's original members from the living island Krakoa. The monster killed three of Darwin's teammates, but not before they sent him and Kid Vulcan to safety deep underground. After the X-Men hurled Krakoa into space, unaware of the two survivors, Darwin instinctively converted himself into pure energy and bonded with Kid Vulcan, trying to keep them both alive.
To read more about the character Click Here.
Any thoughts on this casting decision or character?