Oliver Platt Joins ‘X-Men: First Class,’ Rose Byrne In Talks Too

Oliver Platt has reportedly joined the cast of “X-Men: First Class,” and Aussie actress Rose Byrne might not be far behind.

“The Big C” star will play a character known only as The Man in Black in the film, Deadline reported on Monday. The Matthew Vaughn directed film begins shooting in London next month.

Additionally, “Damages” star Rose Bryne is said to be in negotiations to also join the cast, per Monday’s Hollywood Reporter.

If she signs on, Rose would play scientist Moira MacTaggert who has particular knowledge of “genetic mutation,” according to the trade mag, and who was a central love interest for Charles Xavier throughout the original X-Men comic books.

The film, a prequel to the “X-Men” series, examines the origin story between Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (played by Michael Fassbender), two young men discovering their powers and exploring their friendship, before they became Professor X (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellan) — mortal enemies.

The cast also reportedly includes “She’s Out of My League’s” Alice Eve as Emma Frost, Kevin Bacon as a still-unnamed villain, “About A Boy’s” Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee, “Hannah Montana: The Movie’s” Lucas Till as Havoc, and “The Twilight Saga’s” Edi Gathegi as Darwin.

“X-Men: First Class” is set to hit theaters on June 3, 2011.

20th Century Fox, the studio behind the film, had no comment on the casting rumors when contacted by Access Hollywood.