James Marsden Breaks Massive Silence on Avengers: Doomsday Role and X-Men Legacy

Fans were treated to the shocking casting announcement earlier this year for Avengers: Doomsday, with some members of the original X-Men reprising their roles. James Marsden will reprise his role as Cyclops/Scott Summers in the next Avengers film. The Marvel Cinematic Universe just thrives on keeping fans on edge. Every time you think you’ve got it figured out, along comes some multiverse-level curveball. The latest chatter shaking up the nerd-verse?

James Marsden in Avengers Doomsday: Cyclops’ Return to Marvel

The same guy who willingly got sidelined and killed off in X-Men: The Last Stand will be slipping on the visor again. Before we all start Photoshopping Marsden into MCU posters, though, let’s take a closer look at what’s being said and why this might just work. You can’t talk about Cyclops without addressing how he was portrayed in the 20th Century Fox X-Men movies. That alone makes it wonderful that Mardsen is one of the X-Men returning to reprise the visors again. 

X-Men movies didn’t just sideline Cyclops; they flat-out threw him under the bus, reversed over him, and waved at Jean Grey while doing it. The leader of the X-Men, one of Marvel’s most layered characters, was reduced to being Jean’s angsty arm candy and collateral damage in her Phoenix storyline. Harsh? Sure, but also painfully accurate.

Marsden spoke to Vanity Fair about returning to Marvel to play Cyclops in Avengers: Doomsday. He said, “I’m getting a little long in the tooth to put on the superhero costume. [Laughs.] I was excited because you’re a part of something gigantic, and I’ve spent 20 years listening to people say, “When are you coming back? When are you coming back? Are you coming back?” I’m dead. Well, maybe not.”

Marsden added, “I’m going to have a tough time struggling to get into costume if they waited a couple more years. So it’s been a blast. It really has. It’s been a nice little homecoming to a role that put me on the map. It was the first real event project that I was ever a part of, and a very beloved character, this icon from the comics. And so to step back into that role was pretty special.” In addition, the X-Men (with a younger cast) will make their MCU debut soon after Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). 

Final Thoughts

Now, why bring back Marsden specifically? Well, the guy’s proven he’s got range. He balanced superhero drama in X-Men and comedy gold in Enchanted. (Yes, we’re counting Enchanted. Fight me.) Plus, Marsden’s charisma is undeniable, something Cyclops sorely lacked in his previous outings. Combine Marsden’s charm with a script that lets Cyclops be the team leader he’s supposed to be, and you’ve got a recipe for redemption gold.