James Marsden is officially back as Cyclops in Avengers: Doomsday, and he used his latest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to finally come clean about it after previously denying he was involved.
During the interview, Kimmel called Marsden out for lying the last time he was on the show, and Marsden admitted he did it because Marvel secrecy left him trying to avoid getting into trouble.
Marsden said he can talk about it now because fans have already seen it, confirming that he is returning as Scott Summers and that the new costume is based on Cyclopsâ original comic book look.
James Marsden Says He Lied To Avoid Marvel Trouble
Jimmy Kimmel opened the segment by joking that he felt âconfusion and betrayalâ after Marsden denied his involvement the last time he appeared on the show.
Marsden admitted he is not a great liar and said he had to play dumb because with Marvel projects, actors canât really say anything before the studio is ready. He even joked that he was trying to avoid âlitigationâ from Marvel by keeping quiet.
Cyclops Gets A Comic-Accurate Costume
One of the bigger takeaways from the interview is that Marsden says Cyclops is finally getting a costume closer to the comics.
He explained that the original X-Men movies had the team dressed in black leather suits that were tight and restrictive, which made it hard for the actors to move and did not exactly make him feel like a superhero.
Marsden recalled filming the first movie with Hugh Jackman near the Statue of Liberty and said both of them were tripping over a small retaining wall because the costumes were so restrictive.
He said the new Doomsday suit feels completely different, adding that putting it on felt âvery coolâ and made him feel proud.
The Visor Still Comes With One Big Problem
The new costume may look better, but Marsden also said there is still one downside to playing Cyclops.
He explained that the visor makes it hard for him to see, joking that he âcanât see againâ while wearing it.
Cyclops Joins Avengers: Doomsday
Marsdenâs return is part of Marvel bringing back multiple members of the original X-Men cast for Avengers: Doomsday.
Reports about his Kimmel appearance also pointed to the film featuring other returning X-Men actors, with the movie currently set for release on December 18, 2026.
For fans of the old X-Men movies, the bigger hook here may be that Marsden is not just coming back for a cameo. He is returning as Cyclops in a suit that sounds much closer to the version fans always wanted to see on screen.
