Actress Cynthia Erivo, acclaimed for her performance in the adaptation of ‘Wicked,’ has set her sights on an iconic role. In a recent interview with NBRFilm, Erivo revealed her excitement about joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Storm, one of the most beloved characters from the’ X-Men’ franchise.
Speaking about her passion for the role, Erivo said, “We haven’t uncovered how grand she is and all of that inner turmoil she has.”
Storm, also known as Ororo Munroe, is one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic characters. First appearing in Giant-Size ‘X-Men’ #1 in 1975, Storm is not only a powerful mutant with the ability to manipulate the weather but also a respected leader and one of the first Black superheroes in mainstream comics. The character has a rich backstory, including her African origins, her time as a goddess in Kenya, and her struggles with self-identity and leadership.
While Storm has appeared in previous ‘X-Men’ films, most notably portrayed by Halle Berry in the original ‘X-Men’ trilogy and Alexandra Shipp in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘Dark Phoenix,’ the depth of the character has yet to be fully realized on screen.
Storm has yet to officially debut in the MCU, but she has been a cornerstone of the ‘X-Men’ universe for decades. In the original ‘X-Men’ trilogy (2000–2006), Halle Berry’s portrayal introduced Storm to mainstream audiences, showcasing her powerful abilities and calm demeanor. However, critics and fans often noted that Berry’s version lacked the character’s iconic complexity, largely due to limited screen time and a focus on other characters such as Wolverine and Jean Grey.
When the series was rebooted, Alexandra Shipp brought a younger version of Storm to the screen. While her portrayal in ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Dark Phoenix’ aimed to explore Storm’s origins, these films still fell short of fully developing her character.
