The *Avengers: Doomsday* cast reveal on March 26, 2025, sent shockwaves through the Marvel fandom, with the return of the retro X-Men stealing the spotlight during Marvel’s 5.5-hour livestream. With over 1 million searches on Google Trends and the hashtag #XMenInDoomsday trending on X, fans are thrilled to see iconic mutants like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Ian McKellen’s Magneto join the MCU’s multiverse epic. Following Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019, the X-Men are finally part of the MCU, and *Avengers: Doomsday* marks their biggest appearance yet, uniting them with the Avengers, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four to face Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. The livestream confirmed the return of several X-Men from the Fox era, including Kelsey Grammer as Beast, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Channing Tatum as Gambit, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. However, some mutants like Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool are notably absent, despite their recent success in *Deadpool & Wolverine*. Fan reactions on X have been overwhelmingly positive, with one user posting, 'Seeing Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen back as Professor X and Magneto is a dream come true!' Others expressed disappointment over Wolverine’s absence, with #BringBackWolverine gaining traction. For the full cast and production details, [check out our comprehensive overview of Avengers: Doomsday here](#).

The X-Men’s return in *Avengers: Doomsday* brings a nostalgic twist to the MCU, reintroducing characters who defined the mutant franchise in the early 2000s. Patrick Stewart’s Professor X previously appeared in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022), where he met a grim fate at the hands of Scarlet Witch, but his return suggests a multiversal variant of the character. Channing Tatum’s Gambit made a memorable cameo in *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), finally bringing the Cajun mutant to life after years of stalled solo projects. Kelsey Grammer’s Beast appeared in a post-credits scene in *The Marvels* (2023), hinting at the X-Men’s integration into the MCU. Now, James Marsden, Alan Cumming, and Rebecca Romijn are back as Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Mystique, respectively, after years away from their roles—Marsden last played Cyclops in 2006’s *X-Men: The Last Stand*, Cumming portrayed Nightcrawler in 2003’s *X2*, and Romijn’s last appearance as Mystique was in 2014’s *X-Men: Days of Future Past*. Ian McKellen’s Magneto adds a layer of complexity, given his history as both villain and ally in the Fox films, with his last appearance in 2014’s *Days of Future Past*. Surprisingly, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool are absent, despite *Deadpool & Wolverine* grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and setting a new benchmark for R-rated films. Some fans speculate that Marvel is saving Wolverine for a larger role in *Avengers: Secret Wars* (2027), while others believe his absence allows other mutants to shine. On X, a viral post with 75K likes celebrated the return of the retro X-Men, stating, 'The OG X-Men are back to save the MCU!' Curious about other missing heroes? [Read our article on notable absences here](#). The inclusion of the X-Men marks a new era for the MCU, with their unique powers and complex histories adding depth to the battle against Doctor Doom.

While the retro X-Men are back for *Avengers: Doomsday*, Marvel is also looking to the future, setting the stage for a new generation of mutants. Sadie Sink’s casting in *Spider-Man 4*, as reported by The Wrap in February 2025, has sparked speculation that she might play Jean Grey, potentially leading to a new X-Men team post-*Doomsday*. Kevin Feige teased at a March 2025 press event that 'the X-Men will play a pivotal role in the multiverse saga,' hinting at their long-term integration into the MCU. As the MCU continues to expand its multiverse saga, the X-Men are poised to play a central role, with *Doomsday* serving as a launching pad for their integration. The film, set to release on May 1, 2026, promises to explore the tensions and alliances between the X-Men and the Avengers, delivering a super-team dynamic reminiscent of *Avengers: Endgame*. Fans on Reddit have theorized that the X-Men’s inclusion might lead to a clash with the Avengers, given Magneto’s anti-human stance and Professor X’s more diplomatic approach. A recent poll by ComicBook.com found that 78% of 15,000 respondents are excited to see the X-Men team up with the Avengers, with many citing the potential for epic battles like Cyclops and Iron Man versus Doctor Doom. The return of the retro X-Men also raises questions about their variants—could we see younger versions of these characters, such as a new Cyclops or Mystique, in future MCU projects? Marvel has already confirmed an *X-Men* reboot is in development, with a release date slated for 2028, suggesting that *Doomsday* is just the beginning of the mutants’ journey in the MCU. Stay tuned to NowSpike for more MCU updates, and check out our other trending articles, like our recap of [Iowa vs. Oklahoma March 25, 2025](#).

The X-Men’s inclusion in *Avengers: Doomsday* isn’t just a nostalgic cameo—it’s a strategic move by Marvel to expand the multiverse saga. The Russo Brothers, who are directing *Doomsday*, spoke with Entertainment Weekly in March 2025, revealing that 'the X-Men bring a new perspective to the Avengers’ fight, challenging their ideals and strategies.' This suggests potential conflict between the two teams, especially given the X-Men’s history of operating outside traditional superhero norms. For instance, Magneto’s presence could create tension with Tony Stark’s legacy, as Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom may exploit their ideological differences. The X-Men also introduce new powers to the MCU—Cyclops’ optic blasts, Nightcrawler’s teleportation, and Beast’s superhuman strength could turn the tide against Doctor Doom’s mystical and technological arsenal. On X, fans have been sharing fan art and theories, with one popular post imagining a scene where Professor X uses Cerebro to locate Doctor Doom across the multiverse, gaining 100K likes. The return of the retro X-Men also opens the door for deeper exploration of mutantkind’s place in the MCU—will they be accepted by humanity, or will they face the same discrimination seen in the Fox films? With *Avengers: Secret Wars* on the horizon in 2027, the X-Men’s role in *Doomsday* could set up a larger mutant-centric storyline, potentially leading to the introduction of the mutant gene across the MCU. This would align with Marvel’s long-term goal of integrating the X-Men fully into the franchise, as hinted by Feige in a 2024 interview with Variety: 'The mutants are coming, and they’re here to stay.'