It is undeniable that without the success of the X-Men movies starting back in 2000, the Marvel Cinematic Universe would not exist today. The mutant franchise under 20th Century Fox introduced Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, and many others, proving to Hollywood that full-scale comic book blockbusters had a legitimate place in cinema. Now, over 25 years later, a handful of those original X-Men will return in Avengers: Doomsday, a natural fit within the Multiverse Saga's premise that allows the classic films to become canon in their own unique way.
A Massive Crossover of Classic and Current Heroes
As a result, Doomsday features several iconic mutants, including James Marsden as Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, alongside Professor X and Magneto, sharing the screen with modern Marvel figures like Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards and Anthony Mackie as Captain America. For Marvel head Kevin Feige, this represents the fulfillment of a long-standing aspiration. Pointing to past interviews where Hugh Jackman pondered whether the X-Men and the Avengers could ever unite, Feige noted that bringing everyone together felt like the ultimate way to cap off twenty-five years of narrative development.
Cyclops Steps Back Into Leadership Amid High Stakes
For James Marsden, returning as Scott Summers offers a chance to properly anchor his role as the team leader after his untimely exit in X-Men: The Last Stand was reversed by the timeline alterations in 2014's Days Of Future Past. Marsden views Scott as a noble figure dedicated to doing what is right, though the multiversal collapsing stakes in Doomsday complicate every decision. He teases that extreme circumstances reveal a person's true nature and the serious, potentially catastrophic implications of their choices.
Gambit Joins the Ranks and Future Releases
Audiences will also witness more of Channing Tatum as Gambit, whose appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine finally resolved years of development difficulties regarding a standalone project. Feige praises the character as a standout who balances charisma with a fully rounded personality rather than just serving comedic relief. Fans can look forward to seeing how these narrative threads weave together when the film hits theatres on December 18, with limited edition collectible covers available for pre-order through online here.
