Variety reports that Kevin Bacon is now officially confirmed to star as an yet-to-be-announced villain in Matthew Vaughn’s “X-Men: First Class.” If rumors were meant to be true however, then he would play Mr. Sinister as he’s the favorite choice. There has also been some buzz that he may play Sebastian Shaw, leader of the Hellfire club and a mutant capable of absorbing kinetic energy and rechanneling it into superhuman strength, speed and durability. The already confirmed appearance of Emma Frost may suggest the Hellfire Club’s inclusion in the film.

Meanwhile, Heat Vision reports that Jennifer Lawrence (Winter Bone) has been cast as the mutant shape shifter Mystique. She will play a younger Mystique in a role that was once played by Rebecca Romijn in the first three X-Men films.

Bacon and Lawrence, will join the cast that includes: James McAvoy (Professor Charles Xavier), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Alice Eve (Emma Frost), and Caleb Landry Jones (Banshee).

“X-Men: First Class” is set to begin filming next month in London. With a target release date of June 3, 2011.

Source: Collider