‘Mad Men’s’ January Jones Joins the Cast of ‘X-Men: First Class’

(Yahoo.com) – It’s official, January Jones will be playing a mutant in “X-Men: First Class” who, unlike her character Betty Draper from “Mad Men,” isn’t afraid to wear white after Labor Day.

As Deadline first reported (and a source has confirmed to Yahoo!), Jones will be stepping into the role of Emma Frost. In the comic series, Frost was a onetime foe of the X-Men who eventually joined the team of uncanny mutants. The telepathic Frost, always dressed in white, can read minds, alter memories, and turn her skin into diamonds, granting her incredible strength.

Also joining the cast is Zoe Kravitz, daughter of rocker Lenny Kravitz, as Angel Salvadore (not to be confused with the majestically winged, original X-Man named Angel), a relatively new character who debuted in 2001. In the comic books, this newer Angel, whose housefly-like physiology allows her to fly, doesn’t particularly get along with her fellow X-Men, especially Emma Frost.

Jones and Kravitz are being added to an already impressive line-up. They will join Michael Fassbender as Magneto, James McAvoy as Professor Xavier, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Rose Byrne (reportedly still in negotiations for the part) as Moria MacTaggart and Oliver Platt as The Man in Black.

Kevin Bacon has been cast as the film’s main villain. Rumors persist that he will be playing the role of Sebastian Shaw, leader of the New York branch of the underground society, the Hellfire Club, whose membership once included Emma Frost.

To date, there is still no casting information concerning two staples of the earlier X-Men films, Cyclops and Jean Grey, furthering speculation that these two original members of the mutant team may not be a part of “X-Men: First Class.”

“X-Men: First Class,” which is set before the first “X-Men” film, is scheduled to start production on August 23. It’s being produced by the director of the well-received first two “X-Men” films, Bryan Singer. Matthew Vaughn, best known for helming “Layer Cake” and “Kick-Ass,” will be directing, with the film set for a June, 2011, release.