Marvel Studios now stands at a pivotal juncture to revitalize one of 20th Century Fox’s most underappreciated superhero ensembles, particularly with the recent casting announcement for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release in 2026. At the end of March, Marvel confirmed the return of 27 actors for the film, including several beloved characters from Fox’s original X-Men trilogy. While this revival is indeed thrilling, a number of other overlooked mutants from the X-Men franchise also deserve the chance for a proper resurgence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Among the notable actors returning in Avengers: Doomsday are Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, and Alan Cumming, alongside Channing Tatum reprising his role from the Deadpool franchise. However, several fan-favorite actors, such as Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, and Hugh Jackman, have yet to be confirmed for the project. In particular, there’s a wealth of talent from Fox’s lesser-known mutant heroes that deserves recognition and a chance to shine once more.
A Call for the Return of Fox’s New Mutants in Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Should Reintroduce the New Mutants During Phase 6
The excitement surrounding Fox’s iconic X-Men returning, potentially aligning with Magneto and Mystique to take on the formidable Doctor Doom, is palpable. Still, there is an urgent desire for the MCU to incorporate even more mutants from the alternate Earth-10005, specifically the New Mutants. This team, which made its debut in 2020’s The New Mutants, deserves renewed attention and a more thoughtful portrayal. The film’s rushed production, a result of the Disney-Fox merger, left these compelling characters underdeveloped and underappreciated.
| Fox’s New Mutants Member | Actor |
|---|---|
| Roberto “Bobby”da Costa – Sunspot | Henry Zaga |
| Illyana Rasputin – Magik | Anya Taylor-Joy |
| Rahne Sinclair – Wolfsbane | Maisie Williams |
| Samuel “Sam”Guthrie – Cannonball | Charlie Heaton |
| Danielle “Dani”Moonstar – Mirage | Blu Hunt |
The New Mutants united to battle against adversaries like the Smiley Men and the ominous Demon Bear within the confines of an Essex Corporation-run facility. Composed of dynamic characters such as Sunspot, Magik, Wolfsbane, Cannonball, and Mirage, the team held immense potential for narrating darker, more grounded stories. Unfortunately, due to the chaotic backdrop of Fox’s struggles in the film industry, this potential was squandered, leading to a lackluster representation in The New Mutants. Their reintroduction in Avengers: Doomsday would provide a golden opportunity to reconnect these characters with the audience.
Restoring the New Mutants’ Legacy in the MCU
Reflections on Fox’s Oversight of the New Mutants
The debut of The New Mutants was disappointing for both Fox and Disney, marking a less than triumphant end to the once-thriving X-Men franchise. With a modest worldwide gross of just $49.2 million against a hefty production budget of up to $80 million and a mere 36% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film felt like a missed opportunity. The acquisition of Fox by Disney in 2019 left the New Mutants stranded in a precarious situation, deserving a reimagining that could allow them to flourish within Marvel’s expansive multiverse.
There are prospects for stars like Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Heaton to reprise their roles in a way that aligns with their MCU counterparts. Maisie Williams’ embodiment of Wolfsbane also received positive acclaim, indicating that these actors have the potential to deliver even more compelling performances if given the opportunity. Each character could evolve into a more authentic comic representation, expanding their narrative arcs and possibly paving the way for their long-term presence in the MCU.