HOLLYWOOD - Twentieth Century Fox is adding two mutant superheroes to its Marvel franchise X-Men roster, Variety reports.The studio has cast Alan Cumming (The Anniversary Party) in the role of Nightcrawler, a blue-skinned, yellow-eyed mutant, who uses his contortionist-like agility and spatial awareness to teleport himself to fight the forces of bigotry.
Aaron Stanford (Tadpole) will round out the superhero roster in the role of Pyro, a mutant with the ability to manipulate fire who becomes part of the junior X-Men team.
Cumming and Stanford will join the original all-star cast of X-Men that includes Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Anna Paquin and Famke Janssen. Ian McKellen is also returning as Magneto, Professor X's nemesis.
X-Men 2, once again directed by Bryan Singer, will begin production in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 17 and is scheduled for release May 2, 2003.