The first live-action look at James Marsden back as Cyclops in Avengers: Doomsday is creating major excitement. A new teaser trailer reveals the X-Men leader in his famous blue and yellow suit, a look pulled directly from the comics and fan-favorite animated series. This version appears to show the serious and powerful Cyclops that fans have wanted for over twenty years, marking a strong entrance for the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Cyclops Returns in Iconic Comic Costume
The January 6, 2026, teaser gave fans a glimpse of several key X-Men characters. The footage shows Patrick Stewart as Professor X and Ian McKellen as Magneto, but the clear standout is James Marsden’s return as Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops. In the trailer, he is seen wearing the character’s traditional uniform, a significant change from the all-black leather suits used in the earlier 20th Century Fox X-Men films.
A brief but powerful moment shows Cyclops pulling off his visor and firing a massive optic blast. The scene is set at the X-Mansion, officially called Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, which appears to be under a massive attack. In the background, a giant foot, believed to belong to a Sentinel, is visible, suggesting the mutants are facing one of their classic enemies.
Fans Celebrate the Faithful Adaptation
The reaction to the trailer has been extremely positive, especially regarding the portrayal of Cyclops. For years, fans felt the Fox films did not fully capture the leadership and power of the character from the comics. This new glimpse has changed that perception quickly.
“James Marsden as Cyclops farmed more aura in 2 seconds than he did in the last 2 decades, and that says something. The Russos are cooking!!!”
“This one shot did more justice to Cyclops than the entire Fox X-Men franchise,”
Other excited fan comments simply stated, “What a time to be alive,” and noted that the teaser was so compelling that anyone seeing it would want to watch the film in theaters. The overall response indicates that the creative team, led by returning directors Anthony and Joe Russo, has successfully tapped into what fans love about the classic X-Men.
The X-Men Face a Grave Threat in Doomsday
The tone of the X-Men teaser is serious and dark. It opens with a voiceover from Professor X, who says, “Death comes for us all. It’s all I know for sure. But the question isn’t are you prepared to die. The question is who will you be when you close your eyes”. Magneto is also heard reflecting on death, as he and Charles Xavier are shown holding hands, possibly facing what they believe is their end.
This has led to widespread discussion among fans about the fate of the X-Men in this film. Leaked set photos and the trailer footage suggest a huge battle at the X-Mansion involving Sentinels. A popular fan theory is that Robert Downey Jr.’s new villain, Doctor Doom, could be controlling these Sentinels to attack the mutant home.
The theory suggests this battle might be used to show how powerful and dangerous Doctor Doom is, similar to how Avengers: Infinity War began with Thanos easily defeating the Hulk. Some fans worry that Cyclops might make a major sacrifice during this fight to save other mutants.
A Massive Crossover Event Takes Shape
Avengers: Doomsday is the first film to officially bring the X-Men and the Avengers together in the MCU. The movie features a massive cast that combines heroes from across the Marvel universe. Alongside the X-Men, the film will include the Fantastic Four, the New Avengers, and heroes from Wakanda.
The confirmed cast includes many familiar faces:
- Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor.
- Anthony Mackie is back as Sam Wilson, now serving as Captain America.
- Letitia Wright reprises her role as Shuri, the Black Panther.
- Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes.
- Pedro Pascal appears as Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four.
The film also brings back other original X-Men actors, including Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. Channing Tatum will also appear as Gambit, though he has mentioned his accent will be less exaggerated than in previous appearances to match the film’s serious tone.
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The Road to Avengers: Doomsday
The film has had a notable path to production. It was originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, part of a two-film finale for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga alongside Avengers: Secret Wars. After changes in the creative team and storyline, directors Anthony and Joe Russo officially returned to the franchise in July 2024. They are joined by writer Stephen McFeely, their collaborator on Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and writer Michael Waldron.
A major shift was the introduction of Doctor Doom as the new main villain, played by Robert Downey Jr., who is famous for playing Iron Man. Co-director Joe Russo explained the choice, describing Doctor Doom as a very complex character and stating that Downey was the one actor who could take on such a role. Downey was actively involved in developing the character’s backstory and even contributed ideas for the costume.
Filming began in April 2025 at Pinewood Studios in England and wrapped in September 2025, with additional location shooting in Bahrain.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on December 18, 2026. Its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, is set for release on December 17, 2027. Ahead of the new film’s debut, Avengers: Endgame will have a special re-release in theaters in September 2026.
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