Comic-Con 2013: ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ Panel Confirms Mysterious Roles, Debuts First Footage and More!

The Comic-Con 2013 panel from 20th Century Fox was pegged as a must-see event at the convention; not only were fans foaming at the mouth for the latest offerings from 'The Wolverine' and 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' -- the former prepping for release on July 26 -- but also for some sort of reveal for Bryan Singer's 'X-Men: Days of Future Past.'

It was recently discovered that the beginnings of an expanded 'X-Men' universe were announced, as Fox hired 'Kick-Ass 2' director Jeff Wadlow to write (and possibly direct) a movie version of the 'X-Force' comic books. So what more superhero surprises did the studio have for us?

Hugh Jackman, who came out first during the ‘Wolverine’ panel, teased the upcoming presentation for ‘Days of Future Past’ with a reference to puncturing the Mystique double. Then he introduced “small indie director” Bryan Singer to the stage.

“We’re up in Montreal making ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past,’” said Singer, who cut together a small piece of the film to show the buzzing Hall H audience!

The teaser trailer, which not only revealed our first looks at some of the new mutants, like Bishop and Warpath, confirmed what’s been rumored – that Wolverine will be the one going back in time, and not Kitty Pryde as is in the original comics. In the apocalyptic future where the X-Men have been decimated, Wolverine goes back in time (through psychically linking his mind to his past self) to warn the group of the coming dangers. Much like the film will do, the trailer bounced back and forth between the future, where the older crew are still fighting the good fight, and the past, where Magneto is back to his terrorist ways. Even Halle Berry’s Storm, a casting I was never really okay with, looked cool in her moment conjuring up some lightning.

After teasing how many seats were set up in back of the panel table, Singer made X-Men fans pee their pants when he introduced producers Simon Kinberg, Lauren Donner and Hutch Parker, and stars Omar Sy, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Evan Peters, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Peter Dinklage to the stage!

 “I was here when the Avengers lined up, and this is bigger,” teased moderator Geoff Boucher, who then went down the line of panelists.

"I play Quicksilver,” said Peters, “He’s really fast and a bit of a spaz.”

Peter Dinklage, in a mysterious role that was never officially announced, confirmed what we all thought – he is playing Bolivar Trask, the creator of the mutant-hunting Sentinels.

Said Jennifer Lawrence of her character, Mystique hasn’t seen Charles in a really long time, but she still feels close to him while also transitioning into the Rebecca Romijn portrayal we all know.

“This is an embarrassment of riches,” said Jackman. “This is two great movies in one.”

Two of the most beloved X-Men and real-life friends, Stewart and McKellen, made the crowd go wild, even moreso than with J-Law, Jackman and Singer – the reaction being only comparable to the one afforded to Dinklage. Stewart calls the experience working with this ensemble cast multiple times in his career “extraordinary.”

Berry, a member of said X-Men alum, has a new look, was equally thrilled to be back in action. “What I’ve always loved about [Storm] … is that she’s like the Earth mother of the group, and I think that’s part of my personality,” she said. “What I hate about Storm is that she never gets any love! What’s up with Storm?!”

“I got cast in this movie when I was 17,” said Paquin. “It’s really amazing to be back.”

In addition to the official reveal of Trask, Omar Sy dropped another confirmation, revealing that his character is indeed Bishop, as was assumed through a teaser-y update from Bryan Singer in the past.

“In 25 years of making movies, I’ve never seen a better cast ever assembled anywhere at any time,” said Hutch Parker.

Kicking off the Q&A portion of the panel came one pro-Deadpool fan, asking, with the large cast of ‘Days of Future Past,’ if there was room for Deadpool in the X-Men universe. “Anything is possible,” said Singer. “Maybe not in this movie … but anything is possible.”

And what about Iron Man vs. Wolverine in a movie? “I don’t want to be responsible for taking down Iron Man, but come on …” Jackman joked. “I’m open to that, some kind of big mashup … I’m all for it, but there’s people way above me that have to decide that one.”

Finally, before the questions turned to “What X-Man would you be besides the one you are now?,” Boucher asked about Quicksilver's immediate popularity through his involvement in 'Avengers 2.' “Quicksilver was always a part of the story,” said Singer. “The casting took a while to find the right actor for the role … I can’t speak to ‘The Avengers,’ but …”

“I don’t know ... he moves quick, he talks quick,” continued Peters. “Everyone is slow compared to him.”

'X-Men: Days of Future' past is scheduled to hit theaters May 23, 2014.