Sir Ian McKellen & Sir Patrick Stewart Join Avengers: Doomsday—X-Men Legends Return!
Marvel fans, get ready for an epic crossover! Legendary X-Men actors Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart are officially returning to their iconic roles as Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier in Marvel’s upcoming blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday.
An Avengers & X-Men Crossover?
The film, set for a May 2026 release, has already generated massive buzz with the casting of Robert Downey Jr.—but not as Iron Man. This time, the Oscar-winning actor will step into the role of Marvel’s infamous villain, Doctor Doom.
Sir Ian McKellen last played Magneto in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), while Sir Patrick Stewart’s Professor X made his latest appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Now, they are set to re-enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in what promises to be a game-changing film.
Marvel’s Star-Studded Reveal
Marvel Studios teased the film’s cast in a cryptic video showing a row of chairs labeled with the actors’ names. Among the powerhouse lineup:
🔹 Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
🔹 Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
🔹 Anthony Mackie (Captain America)
🔹 Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova)
🔹 Simu Liu (Shang-Chi)
🔹 Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier)
🔹 Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther)
🔹 Paul Rudd (Ant-Man)
🔹 Wyatt Russell (US Agent)
🔹 Tenoch Huerta (Namor)
🔹 David Harbour (Red Guardian)
🔹 Kelsey Grammer (Beast)
Also joining them are cast members from the highly anticipated Fantastic Four reboot, including Pedro Pascal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as well as Channing Tatum, who recently portrayed X-Men character Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom?
Marvel made headlines last year when Robert Downey Jr. confirmed his return to the MCU—but not as Tony Stark. At San Diego Comic-Con, he dramatically revealed himself from behind Doctor Doom’s mask and cloak, shocking fans worldwide.
“I like playing complicated characters,” Downey Jr. teased, hinting at a darker and more complex role than his previous MCU stint.
What This Means for the MCU
With Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel seems to be setting up an ambitious X-Men and Avengers crossover, potentially laying the groundwork for the long-awaited Secret Wars storyline. Fans can expect epic battles, multiversal twists, and the return of beloved characters in what could be one of the biggest Marvel films to date.
Stay tuned for more updates as Avengers: Doomsday assembles its ultimate team!
🔹 What are your thoughts on Magneto and Professor X returning? Let us know in the comments!