A leaked image of the Avengers: Doomsday set confirms marvels fans wildest dreams and that they are coming true. With this leaked photo we see James Marsden and Ian McKellen in character as Cyclops and Magneto. The photo, which emerged on X shared by BuiltFromSmash, appears to confirm the return of these iconic X-Men characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), only further causing theories to form of a potential X-Men versus Avengers fight. Yesterday we saw Benedict Wong with James Marsden on the Avengers Doomsday set and now we get Ian McKellen with Marsden, Marvel fans have truly been treated the past couple of days.
In the leaked image, Marsden, dressed in a casual denim jacket and wearing his iconic red glasses, stands alongside McKellen, who dons a dark, flowing cape reminiscent of Magneto’s classic comic book attire. The only thing we don’t see as far as Magneto’s outfit his helmet. Which fans will surely see him in action with it in Doomsday. The film, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo known for their work on Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame,is set to premiere on May 1, 2026, as part of the MCU’s Phase Six.
The image has sparked widespread discussion, particularly around rumors that Avengers: Doomsday will feature a groundbreaking alliance between the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants as they face off against the Avengers. This plot point aligns with recent leaks and fan theories, which suggest that the film will pit Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against the mutant factions in a conflict orchestrated by the newly introduced villain, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Downey’s casting as the iconic Marvel antagonist was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, marking his dramatic return to the MCU in a role far removed from his previous portrayal of Tony Stark.
Marsden and McKellen are joined by a roster of returning X-Men actors, including Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and Kelsey Grammer as Beast, signaling a major crossover of Fox’s X-Men universe into the MCU. This integration follows years of anticipation since Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, with Stewart’s cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness serving as an early hint of what was to come.
The Brotherhood of Mutants, traditionally led by Magneto in the comics, has a storied history of clashing with the X-Men, often over ideological differences regarding mutant kind’s place in the world. However, the two groups have occasionally united against greater threats, such as in the Ultimatum storyline, where Magneto’s attempt to eradicate humanity forced a temporary alliance. Fans are now speculating that Avengers: Doomsday will draw inspiration from such narratives, with the X-Men and Brotherhood joining forces to confront the Avengers in a battle that could reshape the MCU’s multiverse saga.
As the MCU continues to expand its multiverse narrative, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter, blending legacy characters with new threats. With the X-Men and Brotherhood of Mutants poised to play a central role, fans are eagerly awaiting more details on how this epic showdown will unfold, and whether Cyclops and Magneto’s alliance will be enough to stand against the Avengers and the looming shadow of Doctor Doom. We will all find out when we see this movie hit the big screen on May 1, 2026.
