In a bold move that both honors its past and aims to revive its blockbuster magic, Marvel has revealed a jaw-dropping cast for its upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, set to premiere on May 1, 2026.

The biggest surprise? A reunion of iconic characters from the original X-Men franchise, now officially folded into the MCU. Fans will see the return of Sir Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Sir Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler — all of whom last shared the screen in 2003’s X2: X-Men United. Kelsey Grammer will also reprise his role as Beast, following a cameo in 2023’s The Marvels.

The announcements came during a five-hour livestream packed with nostalgia and star power, featuring 27 returning and new cast members. MCU veterans such as Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) are all back in action.

A major headline from the event was the return of Robert Downey Jr. — not as Iron Man, but this time stepping into the role of villain Doctor Doom, marking a dramatic shift in the MCU’s narrative. His appearance closed the stream as he took a seat in a director’s chair, teasing fans with what’s to come.

Newer Marvel faces also join the fray. Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Wyatt Russell (U.S. Agent), David Harbour (Red Guardian), and Tenoch Huerta (Namor) will all appear. Channing Tatum’s surprise Gambit cameo from Deadpool & Wolverine is confirmed to continue, too.

Marvel’s upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps cast — Pedro Pascal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn — will also be part of the ensemble, bringing fresh energy into the mix.

Noticeably missing from the announcement were Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), fueling speculation about the direction Marvel is taking.

With Avengers: Endgame having set a high bar in 2019, and recent MCU films like Eternals and Quantumania underperforming, Doomsday appears to be Marvel’s big bet to recapture audience excitement — blending old-school fan favorites with next-gen heroes.

Whether this all-star cast is enough to reignite the MCU’s dominance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Marvel isn’t going down without a fight — and it’s bringing everyone it can to the battlefield.