The First Student in X-men: First Class has been Cast!

Matthew Vaughn's X-men: First Class has been all over the rumor mill lately, what with Rosamund Pike, Amber Heard, and Michael Fassbender all hinted at having roles. Now we get our first confirmation as Benjamin Walker has been cast to play Hank "Beast" McCoy in the superhero "prequel". Beast was briefly played by Kelsey Grammar in X-men: The Last Stand.

I've never heard of this guy, so I can't speak for his work. Although he's mostly a theatre actor, Walker has had small roles in Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers and in Kinsey back in 2004.

Beast is the X-men's chief scientist and medical doctor. A brilliant philosopher and political activist, Beast is often the voice of reason to the X-men's team leader, Scott "Cyclops" Summers. Once a man of normal appearance with the exception of his oversized hands and feet, Beast performed a scientific experiment on himself which gave him his blue furry appearance. He is also a respected member of The Avengers and a former member of The Defenders.

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