20th Century Studios' upcoming X-Men spinoff film The New Mutants features a same-sex relationship between the classic Marvel Comics characters Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane (played by Maisie Williams) and Dani Moonstar/Mirage (played by Blu Hunt). During the New Mutants panel at Comic-Con@Home, the cast and crew discussed this romance and how it came to be.
Williams recounted how she got the part as Wolfsbane, and how that led to Hunt getting the role of Dani. "I met with [director Josh Boone], like, a while ago, and then ended up getting the part for Rahne, and then we did a bunch of chemistry reads to find Dani." The Game of Thrones alum explains she and Hunt clicked almost immediately. "Just from the first audition we did together, we got on so well."
Williams also described it as being "really wonderful to be able to see a relationship like this" in the typically "masculine" world of superheroes. "[I]t was just lovely to see these two fragile women who just protect one another and bring light out in each other," she continued. "But I'm glad that the fans are so excited for it, because I think it's really important to see relationships like this... It was an absolute joy to work with you, Blu."
Boone then chimed in, revealing that there are actually plans to include Hunt and Williams' screen test as a bonus feature on the home video release (to Hunt's slight embarrassment). The director also spoke highly of Hunt, saying that he doesn't know if the film would have worked without her. "We looked high and low for Blu and finding her was such and incredible thing," Boone said. "I don't know that we could have made the movie without her... We could not find someone else. She was the perfect person for the part."
Boone also revealed the aforementioned audition involved Williams and Hunt kissing, laughing that it was "not COVID times." At this point, Hunt revealed how nervous she was during the audition. "Like, oh, I have to go kiss Maisie Williams... It was very nerve-wracking," she said. Boone then described Rahne and Dani's relationship as "the spine of the movie in terms of following it." Williams echoed this sentiment, saying "I think, like, at the heart of it is just this really lovely love story... It just brings it back to reality, I think." Boone concluded the segment by explaining that the team behind the film wanted Rahne and Dani to be "characters that you fell in love with as they fell in love."
Directed and co-written by Josh Boone, The New Mutants stars Maisie Williams as Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane, Anya Taylor-Joy as Illyana Rasputin/Magik, Charlie Heaton as Sam Guthrie/Cannonball, Henry Zaga as Roberto da Costa/Sunspot, Blu Hunt as Danielle Moonstar/Mirage and Alice Braga as Dr. Cecilia Reyes. The film arrives in theaters Aug. 28.