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Avengers Doomsday: Way before the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) became the global box office juggernaut it is today, but well after that quirky little movie, Howard the Duck, there was the original X-Men movie trilogy. Released in the early to mid-2000s by 20th Century Fox, the X-Men films were some of the first big-budget superhero movies that really took off. They made characters like Wolverine, played by a then-rising star Hugh Jackman, into fan favourites and household names.
But what’s a team of powerful mutants without a few unforgettable villains? The trilogy gave us a lineup of memorable baddies, including Ian McKellen’s menacing yet oddly charming Magneto, Rebecca Romijn’s mysterious and deadly Mystique, and Ray Park’s agile, demonic-looking Toad, among others. These characters constantly clashed with the X-Men and gave the heroes a serious run for their money.
Now, here’s the exciting part: two of those legendary villains are making a comeback, and fans are hyped.
During Marvel’s official livestream on March 26, the studio dropped a bombshell announcement: “Avengers: Doomsday,” set to hit theatres on May 1, 2026, will feature not one, but two returning villains from the classic X-Men era.
That’s right, Sir Ian McKellen is stepping back into the role of Magneto, the powerful mutant who can control metal and always walks the line between villain and anti-hero. And joining him is Rebecca Romijn, once again transforming into the shape-shifting, blue-skinned Mystique.
These returns mark a big moment for fans of the older X-Men films, not just for the nostalgia, but for how the Marvel multiverse is finally connecting all the old and new threads. With characters from past franchises now stepping into the MCU, Avengers: Doomsday might be Marvel’s boldest, most crossover-packed film yet.
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It’s been a long time since we saw Ian McKellen don Magneto’s iconic helmet. The last time he played the metal-manipulating mutant was way back in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. And as for Rebecca Romijn, it’s been even longer; she last appeared as the blue, shape-shifting Mystique in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand.
But now, both actors are officially returning to their legendary roles in Avengers: Doomsday. For longtime fans of the X-Men films, this is a huge moment. These aren’t just any characters, Magneto and Mystique were central figures in the original X-Men saga, and bringing them back after so many years makes this feel like a truly historic event in the Marvel Universe.
Why is this so special? Well, Hugh Jackman made headlines in 2024 when he suited up as Wolverine again in Deadpool & Wolverine, marking his return after saying goodbye to the character in Logan. That movie was a box-office monster and thrilled fans, but none of the old-school villains came back with him.
That’s what makes Avengers: Doomsday different. Not only are we getting classic X-Men villains back, but they’re being played by the original stars, not recast versions. This is the first time the Marvel Cinematic Universe is officially folding in major Fox-era villains with the same actors who made them iconic. It’s a full-circle multiverse moment that fans have been dreaming about for years.
So, whether you’re a longtime X-Men lover or just getting into the MCU, keep an eye on Avengers Doomsday; it’s not just another superhero movie. It’s a major crossover milestone that connects Marvel’s past, present, and future in one powerful move.
What calls Magneto and Mystique to Avengers Doomsday?
Two of the most iconic X-Men villains are officially back, and fans are buzzing about what it all means. Magneto, played by Sir Ian McKellen, and Mystique, portrayed by Rebecca Romijn, are returning in Avengers: Doomsday. But what exactly brings them into the latest MCU showdown? Let’s break it down.
Magneto
In the world of mutants, Magneto is one of the most powerful out there. He can bend and control metal with his mind, basically turning anything from a paperclip to a satellite dish into a weapon.
He’s not just any bad guy, though. Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto’s real name) has a long, complicated history with Professor Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men. The two were once close friends, but they ended up on opposite sides of the mutant-human debate. While Xavier preached peace and coexistence, Magneto believed that mutants should rise up and dominate to protect themselves.
The last time we saw McKellen’s version of Magneto, he had a smaller but important role in X-Men: Days of Future Past as a freedom fighter in a dystopian future. Before that, his most intense moment was in X-Men: The Last Stand, where he tried to use the Phoenix’s power (a.k.a. Jean Grey gone nuclear) to teach humanity a brutal lesson.
Now, with Avengers: Doomsday diving into the Multiverse, it’s likely we’re meeting a version of Magneto from another reality. McKellen was even spotted near the film’s set in late April sporting a beard, suggesting he might be playing a slightly older or alternate take on Erik.
Mystique
Mystique, or Raven Darkholme, was Magneto’s loyal right-hand woman in the original X-Men movies. She’s a shapeshifter who can mimic anyone’s appearance and voice, perfect for spying, infiltration, or stirring chaos.
But in X-Men: The Last Stand, Mystique was hit with a “mutant cure” that took away her powers and turned her human. That was the last time we saw Romijn in blue.
So, how is she back now, and powered up again? Marvel hasn’t revealed the details, but thanks to the Multiverse (basically, a storytelling tool that allows different versions of characters to exist), anything’s possible. It could be the same Mystique from the older films, maybe her powers got restored somehow, or it could be an alternate-universe version who never lost them. Either way, expect some quick explanation and lots of action.
Back in 2022, Rebecca Romijn was asked if she’d ever play Mystique again. She said she was “open to it,” and here we are, wish granted.
Why This Matters for ‘Avengers Doomsday‘
With the return of these two original X-Men villains, Avengers: Doomsday isn’t just another superhero crossover, it’s a historic moment for the Marvel Multiverse. This is the first time we’re seeing classic Fox-era X-Men characters join the Avengers’ world, played by the same actors who made them iconic.
After Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine made a splashy comeback in Deadpool & Wolverine, fans were hoping more familiar faces would return. Now we’ve got Magneto and Mystique officially in the mix, raising the stakes for what could be one of Marvel’s most ambitious films yet.