We first heard about X-Men spin-off movie New Mutants in May 2015. That's when writer-director Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) was hired by Fox to develop a franchise revolving around a team of young, superpowered Marvel comic book heroes.

Casting rumors began shortly before the release of X-Men: Apocalypse the following year. Anya Taylor-Joy, who had just broken out in horror-drama The Witch (above left), was touted as teleporter Magik, also known as Illya Rasputin. Maisie Williams (above right), costar on HBO's Game of Thrones, was rumored to play Wolfsbane, also known as Rahne Sinclair, a shape-shifting Scottish werewolf.

In the months that followed, other rumors continued to circulate. Last month came word that New Mutants would open in theaters on April 13, 2018. Now casting has officially begun and some of the rumors have been proven true.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Maisie Williams have indeed signed deals to star in the movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. As long rumored, Taylor-Joy will play Magik and Williams will portray Wolfsbane. Production is expected to begin in early July.

The most recent report also confirms other mutant team members who were rumored last year: Moonstar (also known as Mirage), Sunspot and Cannonball. An alien known as Warlock is also in the mix.

After The Witch, Taylor-Joy contributed supporting performances to Morgan, Barry and Split. In the latter movie, she faced off against James McAvoy,

McAvoy had previously been rumored to reprise his role as Professor X in New Mutants. That rumor, however, is not true, according to a writer for The Hollywood Reporter.

On NEW MUTANTS: other rumored castings - James McAvoy as Prof X - not true. He is not in movie, per sources.

— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) May 11, 2017

With casting underway, it should be interesting to learn what other performers snare roles as young mutants. We should also expect to hear about possible villains very soon.