Marvel Studios has once again taken the spotlight by confirming the return of two notable actors in Avengers: Doomsday. This revelation has sparked speculation that the MCU may finally dive into a classic X-Men storyline that 20th Century Fox largely overlooked. During a lengthy five-and-a-half-hour announcement event in March, Marvel unveiled 27 actors who are confirmed to star in this ambitious installment, featuring a diverse lineup from the Avengers, the Thunderbolts, the Fantastic Four, and, of course, the X-Men. This convergence of unexpected heroes and villains presents thrilling opportunities for storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
With the inclusion of several iconic X-Men actors from Fox’s extensive two-decade Marvel film legacy, Avengers: Doomsday is emerging as one of the MCU’s most anticipated projects. Among the standout cast members making a return are renowned actors Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden, reprising their celebrated roles. However, it’s the news of two particular X-Men stars that has captured the imagination of fans for a compelling reason, as they offer fresh avenues for storytelling that Fox never explored.
Surprising Reunions in Doomsday
Rebecca Romijn & Alan Cumming Confirmed to Return
The announcement that Rebecca Romijn and Alan Cumming will reprise their iconic roles as Mystique and Nightcrawler has left fans exhilarated. Romijn last appeared as Mystique in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand; her character had undergone a temporary “mutant cure”and has been absent from the franchise since, save for a brief cameo in X-Men: First Class. Cumming’s return is equally surprising, given his singular portrayal of Nightcrawler in the 2003 hit X2: X-Men United. This exciting reunion hints at a deeper exploration of these characters that has been absent from their subsequent iterations in Fox’s rebooted timeline.
| Returning X-Men Character | Actor | Debut Project | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hank McCoy’s Beast | Kelsey Grammer | X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) | The Marvels (2023) |
| Charles Xavier’s Professor X | Patrick Stewart | X-Men (2000) | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) |
| Erik Lehnsherr’s Magneto | Ian McKellen | X-Men (2000) | X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) |
| Kurt Wagner’s Nightcrawler | Alan Cumming | X2: X-Men United (2003) | X2: X-Men United (2003) |
| Raven Darkhölme’s Mystique | Rebecca Romijn | X-Men (2000) | X-Men: First Class (2011) |
| Scott Summers’ Cyclops | James Marsden | X-Men (2000) | X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) |
| Remy LeBeau’s Gambit | Channing Tatum | Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) | Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) |
Romijn’s portrayal of Mystique was succeeded by Jennifer Lawrence starting with 2011’s X-Men: First Class. Meanwhile, Kodi Smit-McPhee took over the role of a younger Nightcrawler in X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, alongside a brief cameo in Deadpool 2. Nevertheless, Avengers: Doomsday aims to redirect the spotlight back to Romijn and Cumming’s beloved characters, marking their reunion more than two decades after their original appearances. This film may well be the perfect chance to explore an acclaimed Marvel Comics narrative.
The Need to Explore the Familial Connection of Mystique & Nightcrawler
Mystique: Nightcrawler’s Parent in Marvel Comics
Although X-Men: Apocalypse hinted at a connection between Lawrence’s Mystique and Smit-McPhee’s Nightcrawler, the narrative did not delve into the intricacies of their familial relationship within the confines of Fox’s cinematic universe. In Marvel Comics, it is established that Nightcrawler is the son of Mystique and precognitive mutant Destiny, revealing a unique twist where Mystique shape-shifts into a male form to function as Kurt Wagner’s father. Fox’s approach led to uncertainty, with suggestions pointing to a different lineage involving Jason Flemyng’s Azazel, but this was never conclusively articulated.
With Mystique and Nightcrawler making their comeback in Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios has a significant opportunity to confront this underexplored aspect of their legacy. While the animated series X-Men ’97 explored this connection, the absence of Mystique diminishes its impact. Nonetheless, it would be commendable for the live-action MCU to revisit and expand upon this crucial relationship within their storyline. It is also conceivable that Marvel may save this narrative thread for a future story arc; however, even preliminary hints in Avengers: Doomsday could enrich their dynamic immeasurably.