March 4, 2013 12:41

New 'X-Men' movie adds 'The Intouchables' star Omar Sy to cast

He joins a swelling cast that already includes Fassbender, McAvoy, McKellen and Stewart

French actor Omar Sy has been added to the swelling cast of the new X-Men movie.

Sy, 35, is best known as the star of The Intouchables, an acclaimed 2011 comedy-drama that became the second highest-grossing French film ever at the French box office. The new X-Men movie, Days Of Future Past, will be his first English-language role.

Director Bryan Singer took to Twitter to announce Sy's casting, posting:

Thrilled to welcome the brilliant #OmarSy from the amazing film #TheIntouchables to the cast of #Xmen #DaysofFuturePast!
— Bryan Singer (@BryanSinger) March 2, 2013

Days Of Future Past is the sequel to 2011's hit reboot X-Men: First Class and is due to begin shooting this April. Last November, Singer announced that the film has roles for X-Men veterans Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen as well as First Class stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult.

Hugh Jackman's Wolverine also has a confirmed role and Ellen Page, Anna Paquin and Shawn Ashmore are all returning too. Meanwhile, Game Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage is a brand new addition to the cast and will play the film's main villain. Days Of Future Past is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on July 18 2014.