(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
The buzz surrounding Marvel’s colossal Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, which proudly includes an array of Fox X-Men luminaries, has fans abuzz with anticipation about how these iconic characters will weave into the upcoming MCU film.
Dedicated Marvel aficionados are flocking to a spirited Reddit discussion to hypothesize and share their predictions. Many believe the inclusion of the X-Men indicates a nostalgic nod to the legendary 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men comic. “Is this going to be X-Men vs. Avengers?” pondered a Reddit user, adding, “The cast is way too expansive for anything else to make sense.”
The return of four original X-Men stars has been confirmed: Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Channing Tatum as Gambit, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. Intriguingly, The Hollywood Reporter has hinted at additional casting updates, potentially paving the way for an expansive Avengers vs. X-Men subplot.
Conversely, some fans speculate that Avengers: Doomsday might explore a timeline incursion, seamlessly blending the Fox X-Men timeline with the established Earth 616 timeline, akin to the adventures of Deadpool and Wolverine. “Multiple incursions are happening,” one fan observed, “including the one initiated by Dr. Strange.”
Another theory posits that the X-Men might merely feature in a dramatic scene showcasing their universe’s destruction, starkly illustrating the formidable threat posed by Doctor Doom. “It’s the beginning of a new X-Men era,” another fan mused. “Realistically, Stewart and McKellen, though icons, can’t be pivotal characters anymore.”
While Doomsday will usher in the MCU debuts of McKellen, Marsden, and Romijn, Stewart has already graced the Extended Cinematic Universe in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where fans witnessed Professor X’s demise. Thus, the Charles Xavier portrayed in Doomsday might herald from a universe shared with Deadpool 3’s Wolverine variant.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to light up theaters on May 1, 2026. For further insights, explore our comprehensive guide on watching Marvel movies in order, or stay updated with forthcoming Marvel releases.
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