Marvel’s New Mutants: Stranger Things Star Charlie Heaton Tapped To Play Cannonball

Marvel’s X-Men spin-off “New Mutants” is slowly coming together and it looks like the latest piece might add something ‘strange’ to the film. “Stranger Things” actor Charlie Heaton is reportedly in talks to play the mutant Sam Guthrie or Cannonball. News broke out after The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit dispelled rumors that Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars) would be cast in the role.

Recently, director Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) promised a very different take on the X-Men universe. No supervillains. No costumes. Instead, a darker and more surreal film that brings to mind the dark horrors of Stephen King’s novels. With “New Mutants” being sold as a full-fledged horror movie, the decision to tap Heaton makes an obvious and inspired choice. The British actor made waves with his performance as the introverted Jonathan Byers in “Stranger Things,” fighting supernatural forces. Perhaps Marvel hopes to channel some of the show’s supernatural horror creepiness in “New Mutants.”

What you need to know about Sam Guthrie: Cannonball

The comics introduce Sam Guthrie as a humble farm boy from a large southern family in Kentucky. While escaping a collapsing mine shaft, he realizes that he can propel himself through the air like a rocket – or a cannonball. While in the air, Sam is virtually indestructible. An impenetrable “blast field” surrounds him, protecting him and even people he is carrying from bodily harm.

At first, Sam seems to play a pseudo-villainous role. Donald Pierce (who appeared in “Logan,” played by Boyd Holbrook) uses him to attack the New Mutants. But when pushed to kill the other mutants, Sam refuses and changes sides. Professor X, seeing the boy’s potential, recruits him to join the New Mutants.

Eventually, Sam takes on a leadership role among the New Mutants, a responsibility he shares with Dani Moonstar (Mirage). He later goes on to join other X-Men teams, included X-Force, X-Corporation, and the main X-Men team.

Confirmed and Rumored Members of ‘New Mutants’ Cast

Some key roles have been confirmed with others still in talks. Anya Taylor-Joy (Split) debuts in the X-Men universe as Illyana Rasputin or Magik. The younger sister of Colossus, Illyana has the ability to teleport through time and space.

Marvel also confirmed Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) in the role of Rahne Sinclair or Wolfsbane. Like the name implies, Rahne is essentially a werewolf who can shift between her human and wolf forms with ease.

Tracking Board also confirmed Henry Zaga (13 Reasons Why) to play the Brazilian Roberto da Costa. Handsome and cocky, Roberto can absorb and channel solar energy, earning him the name Sunspot. He can manifest release this energy in concussive blasts and even channel it to fly.

Meanwhile, Rosario Dawson (Daredevil) is in talks to play Dr. Cecilia Reyes, who doubles as a trauma surgeon and a mentor to the New Mutants. She is also a mutant, with the ability to manifest a “psioplasmic bio-field.” This field, like the one that surrounds Cannonball during flight, protects her from bodily harm.

Blu Hunt (The Originals) and True O’Brien (Days of Our Lives) are also reportedly being tapped to play Dani Moonstar. Mirage acts as co-leader of the New Mutants with Cannonball and has psionic abilities including telepathy, empathy, and power over illusions.

“New Mutants” is in pre-production and set to open on April 13, 2018.