It looks like Hollywood cannot get enough of Inde Navarrette right now, wanting to capitalize on the buzz around her as a result of her stellar performance in Curry Barker’s Obsession. Her portrayal of Nikki has made her the next big thing in the industry, and it seems that Marvel understands it very well. That is why they decided to rope in Navarrette to establish the foundational storyline of the upcoming Phase 7 of the MCU. 

But recent fan reactions have proved to be counterintuitive, especially regarding her casting as Rogue in the much-anticipated X-Men reboot.

It is no news that Marvel signed Inde Navarrette for the X-Men reboot; after all, they have been courting the breakout actress for quite some time now. However, everyone thought that the initial talks were about her being cast as the shapeshifting mutant and beloved character in the X-Men universe, Mystique. 

In certain interviews, the young actress confirmed that she met the director Jake Schreier, who will be helming the project, and expressed her interest in playing Mystique. This led some fans to already imagine her as Mystique, and in parallel, there were also rumors that the studio has been in talks with Cailee Spaeny for the role of Rogue.

Spaeny previously impressed everyone in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla and Civil War, and fans were sold on the thought of her playing the power-absorbing mutant. But the twist came when Marvel announced Navarrette as the new Rogue for the X-Men reboot, which baffled many who had already imagined Spaeny as the character. 

Who Is Maya Boyd? Meet the Fresh New, Unknown Actress Now Playing Storm in the MCU’s X-Men

Apart from preconceived casting notions, the online backlash also centered on Navarrette’s alleged support for Johnny Depp.   

A big chunk of the online pushback comes from people who find Inde Navarrette’s support for Johnny Depp offensive. She had previously liked a few social media posts by Depp, who has been trying to make his commercial comeback with Ti West’s Ebenezer, which also stars Sir Ian McKellen, Daisy Ridley, and Rupert Grint. 

Following his highly publicised legal battle with Amber Heard, he has been subject to some online hatred and, by extension, anyone who supports him. So, Inde Navarrette is just a new addition to the list. This obviously has nothing to do with her being fit for the role of Rogue, but rather with her personal preferences. The X-Men reboot is slated for a May 5, 2028 release, which is plenty of time for the discourse to die down.        

'X-Men' Movies Timeline: How to Watch Them in Chronological Order

What do you think of Inde Navarrette’s casting as Rogue? Do let us know.