In brief
The exciting announcement sees familiar faces from the X-Men universe come back into the fold alongside a plethora of other talented actors.
Renowned actors Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart are set to reprise their iconic roles of Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier, respectively, in Marvel's forthcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release in May 2026. This captivating news comes amid reports that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the franchise, taking on the role of the film's central villain, Doctor Doom. Sir Ian's last appearance as Magneto was in the 2014 film, X-Men: Days of Future Past, while Sir Patrick last returned as Professor X in the 2022 blockbuster, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Their return was confirmed through a Marvel Studios video showcasing a lineup of cast chairs, each emblazoned with the corresponding actor's name. Alongside these two legends, the cast features several well-known Marvel actors, including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Mackie. Florence Pugh joins the ensemble as Yelena Belova, complemented by Simu Liu's Shang-Chi. Notable names such as Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, Wyatt Russell, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, David Harbour, and Kelsey Grammer also made the cut, creating a star-studded lineup for the much-anticipated movie.Also in the mix are members of the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, including Pedro Pascal from The Last of Us and Ebon Moss-Bachrach from The Bear. Additionally, Channing Tatum, known for his portrayal of Gambit in the Deadpool films, has been mentioned among the cast. Fans were first treated to news of Downey Jr's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe at San Diego Comic-Con last summer, where he thrillingly appeared in character, cloaked in Doctor Doom's signature mask and green cape. In a press interaction, he expressed his enthusiasm for playing complex characters, stating, "I like playing complicated characters." This anticipation continues to build as fans eagerly await his portrayal in the new film. Downey Jr. previously kickstarted the Marvel cinematic landscape with his portrayal of Iron Man back in 2008 and last graced audiences in 2019's Avengers: Endgame. His remarkable performance in Oppenheimer earned him an Oscar last year, showcasing his enduring versatility as an actor.
