In a recent statement that has left Marvel fans buzzing, Halle Berry has officially shut down speculation about her return as the iconic X-Men character Storm in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Avengers: Doomsday. The actress, who first brought the weather-manipulating mutant to life on the big screen in 2000’s X-Men, addressed the rumors directly, saying, “Keep waiting, it’s not going to be there”.
Berry’s portrayal of Storm, also known as Ororo Munroe, spanned four films in the original X-Men franchise under 20th Century Fox, including X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and her final appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Her character, a powerful mutant with the ability to control weather, became a fan favorite over the years, despite some criticism about the depth of her role in the ensemble-heavy films.
The news comes as Marvel Studios prepares to release Avengers: Doomsday on May 1, 2026, a film that promises to bring together a massive roster of heroes from across the MCU. The project has already generated significant excitement, with a recent Marvel livestream announcing a star-studded cast that includes returning MCU veterans like Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, alongside X-Men alumni such as Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto). The inclusion of other Fox-era X-Men characters like James Marsden’s Cyclops and Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique had sparked hope among fans that Berry might also reprise her role as Storm.
However, Berry’s comments, shared in an interview with AP Entertainment, have dashed those hopes. Her blunt response has sent ripples through the Marvel fanbase, with reactions ranging from disappointment to skepticism. Some fans, recalling how actors like Andrew Garfield denied their involvement in Spider-Man: No Way Home only to later appear in the film, are holding out hope that Berry might be keeping her return under wraps. Others, however, are taking her words at face value, expressing sadness over the missed opportunity to see her Storm join the MCU’s multiversal battle against the newly announced villain, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to be a pivotal chapter in the MCU, directed by the Russo Brothers, who previously helmed Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The film will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, which has led some fans to speculate that Berry might be saving her return for the latter project instead. For now, though, it seems Storm will not be summoning lightning in the battle against Doctor Doom.
Berry’s history with the character has been a significant part of her career, as she was one of the first actresses to portray a major Black female superhero in a mainstream comic book film. Despite the mixed reception to her performance over the years—some fans felt the scripts didn’t fully capture Storm’s complexity from the comics—Berry has often spoken fondly of her time as the character. Her decision to step away from the role in Avengers: Doomsday may signal Marvel’s intent to recast Storm for the MCU’s inevitable X-Men reboot, a move that has been rumored for some time as the studio integrates the mutant team into its cinematic universe.
As the MCU continues to expand its roster with new and returning faces, fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on any developments regarding Storm’s future. For now, though, Halle Berry’s chapter as the weather-wielding mutant appears to have reached its end, at least in the context of Avengers: Doomsday. Whether another actress will take up the mantle or if Berry might surprise fans down the line remains to be seen, but her latest comments have certainly stirred the pot in the ever evolving world of Marvel fandom.
