> At a Glance
> – Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and James Marsden reprise X-Men roles in Avengers: Doomsday
> – Chris Evans returns as Captain America and Chris Hemsworth as Thor
> – Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18
> – Why it matters: The first Avengers movie since 2019’s Endgame unites MCU and X-Men characters
Marvel Studios dropped its third mini-teaser for Avengers: Doomsday on January 6, confirming the X-Men’s official entry into the Avengers universe.
X-Men Reunion
The latest teaser shows Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen resuming their roles as Professor X and Magneto, playing telekinetic chess. James Marsden also returns as Cyclops, firing optic blasts in an action sequence.
On-screen text confirms: “The X-Men will return in Avengers: Doomsday.”
Building the Hype
Two previous teasers revealed:
- Chris Evans back as Steve Rogers/Captain America
- Chris Hemsworth reprising Thor
Variety reported on December 23 that Marvel planned multiple character-focused teasers.
Villain and Release Date
At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024, Marvel announced:
- Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom (not Iron Man)
- The Multiverse Saga’s main villain replaces Thanos
- Avengers: Doomsday releases December 18, 2026
- Follow-up film Avengers: Secret Wars already scheduled
Key Takeaways
- X-Men veterans Stewart, McKellen and Marsden join the Avengers cast
- Downey returns to MCU as villain Doctor Doom
- The film unites Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and other MCU characters
- December 18 theatrical release marks first Avengers entry since Endgame
With its sprawling cast and multiverse stakes, Avengers: Doomsday positions itself as the MCU’s biggest crossover yet.
