James Marsden is opening up about stepping back into the role of Cyclops for Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, sharing in a recent interview what it’s like to revisit the character after two decades.
“A Nice Little Homecoming”
Marsden joked about the physical challenge of putting the costume back on after all these years, telling Vanity Fair:
“I’m getting a little long in the tooth to put on the superhero costume. [Laughs.] I was excited because you’re a part of something gigantic, and I’ve spent 20 years listening to people say, ‘When are you coming back? When are you coming back? Are you coming back?’”
The actor recalled how, for years, fans assumed his Cyclops was gone for good:
“I’m dead. Well, maybe not. I’m going to have a tough time struggling to get into costume if they waited a couple more years.”
Despite the jokes, Marsden said returning to the role has been rewarding:
“So it’s been a blast. It really has. It’s been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map. It was the first real event project that I was ever a part of, and a very beloved character, this icon from the comics. And so to step back into that role was pretty special.”
Details about Marsden’s X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday were accidentally spilled online, setting them up to face another popular Marvel team.
Filming in the UK
Avengers: Doomsday is currently shooting in the United Kingdom. The film features several returning stars from the Fox X-Men era, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and Kelsey Grammer. Channing Tatum also reprises Gambit after his debut in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Huge Marvel Ensemble
Confirmed MCU cast members include Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, Letitia Wright, Florence Pugh, Simu Liu, Tom Hiddleston, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Winston Duke, Danny Ramirez, Hannah John-Kamen, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Lewis Pullman, and Robert Downey Jr., with more than 30 additional roles rumored.
Release Date
Marvel Studios releases Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026.
