- Primary Subject: James Marsden / Cyclops in Avengers: Doomsday
- Key Update: James Marsden teases that the original X-Men return with new intentions and intensity during a recent interview.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 28, 2026
- Quick Answer: James Marsden revealed Earth-10005 X-Men return with new motives in Avengers: Doomsday, forced into conflict with the Avengers to survive multiversal incursions.
James Marsden returns as Scott Summers/Cyclops in the MCU and teases a major change for the X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday.
The upcoming crossover movie’s trailer hints at the Fox-universe mutants going up against the Avengers, though the reason for their clash remains unknown.
While the Multiverse Saga has offered some clues, Marsden may have just revealed what’s really behind the confrontation.
What Is the X-Men’s Role in Avengers: Doomsday?
Fox’s X-Men, originally from Earth-10005, will join a multiversal crossover, which sees three distinct universes collide in Avengers: Doomsday.
While there are several theories about the mutants’ role in the film, James Marsden has revealed more about their part in it.
“It’s an absolute collision of three gigantic universes, coming together in the face of a very serious existential threat,” Marsden told Empire (via ComicBook). “You’re seeing time on screen. You’re seeing these characters from 27 years ago, in new costumes with new intentions and intensities.”
It appears that the X-Men won’t be the same as they were in the Fox universe. The superpowered mutant heroes are known for fighting to protect the world despite being feared and hated by its people.
But with the incursion looming, the X-Men may be forced to fight the Avengers for their survival.
Why Are the X-Men Against the Marvel Superheroes in Avengers: Doomsday?
In the Avengers: Doomsday trailer, the X-Men are seen going up against Marvel’s superheroes, from Gambit (Channing Tatum) facing Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) to Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) transforming into Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) for a fight.
This seems to support Samuel Sterns/The Leader’s (Tim Blake Nelson) warning to Sam Wilson/Captain America (Anthony Mackie) at the end of Captain America: Brave New World, suggesting that heroes from different realities may have to choose between their heroic ideals and survival when the incursions cause realities to collide.
Judging by James Marsden’s revelation, the X-Men may know what is about to happen with the multiversal collapse and incursions and will do everything they can to ensure the survival of their universe.
And by the looks of it, the X-Men and the Avengers may have to fight each other first before eventually uniting against a common enemy: Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.). However, with the upcoming MCU X-Men reboot, one of the teams may not survive.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18.
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