In brief
The addition of McKellen, Stewart, and others promises thrilling nostalgia and fresh dynamics for Marvel fans.
In an exciting announcement, Marvel has revealed that X-Men luminaries Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise their beloved roles in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for a May 2026 release. McKellen, who famously portrayed Magneto, has not donned the character's persona since 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past. Stewart, known for his role as Professor Charles Xavier, last appeared as the iconic character in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.The unveiling of the cast was creatively executed through a video showcasing a lineup of chairs marked with the actors' names, heightening anticipation among fans. Alongside McKellen and Stewart, the cast includes fan-favorites like Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Mackie. The ensemble is further complemented by Florence Pugh, who portrays Yelena Belova, and Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. Notably, the roster also features Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, Wyatt Russell, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, David Harbour, and Kelsey Grammer.Additionally, actors from the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, including Pedro Pascal of The Last of Us and Ebon Moss-Bachrach from The Bear, join the impressive lineup. Channing Tatum, who previously took on the role of Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine, has also been included in the cast announcement.A highlight of last summer’s Comic Con was the revelation of Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though he will not reprise his iconic Iron Man role. Downey Jr. made a dramatic entrance, concealed in Doctor Doom's signature mask and cloak, before captivating fans with his promise of complex character exploration in this new role. The actor, who played a pivotal role in launching the Marvel franchise with Iron Man in 2008, last featured in the MCU during 2019's Avengers: Endgame. Notably, Downey Jr. earned an Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer last year, further adding to his illustrious career.
