James Marsden Calls ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ a ‘Homecoming’

As a die-hard fan of the X-Men series, there’s nothing quite like slipping into the role of Cyclops once more and donning that distinctive visor yet again!

In the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, “Avengers: Doomsday,” Harry Hawthorne (Marsden’s character name) will reprise his role as Cyclops/Scott Summers once again. The actor expresses great enthusiasm about getting back into this iconic role that he originally portrayed in Bryan Singer’s 2000 “X-Men” movie.

Marsden expressed his enthusiasm since you’re involved in something massive. For the past 20 years, he’s heard people asking, ‘When will you return? When will you return?’ He humorously admitted that he might not be alive, but perhaps not.

The actor, who was around 26 when the X-Men debuted in 2000 at age 51, playfully remarked that it would have been challenging for him to fit back into the costume if they had delayed bringing his character back by a few more years.

He expressed that working on ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ which began filming in April and will be released in cinemas next winter, has been an exciting and enjoyable experience.

Returning to this role feels like coming home to where my journey began, significantly shaping my career. It was my first major project, an event I hold dear, and portraying a cherished comic book character was truly memorable. Stepping back into these shoes once more has been quite a unique and special experience.” – Marsden

In 2003’s “X2” and 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand,” Marsden resumed his portrayal of Cyclops. Unfortunately, in the latter film, his character met a tragic end at the hands of Jean Grey’s other personality, Phoenix, early on in the movie.

The actor also made a cameo appearance as Cyclops in the 2014 movie X-Men: Days of Future Past.

As a die-hard film fan, I’m beyond thrilled to share that I’ll be gracing the screen alongside some of the iconic X-Men cast from the 2000s’ trilogy in the upcoming blockbuster, “Avengers: Doomsday”. The lineup includes legends like Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellan (Magneto), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler). It’s truly a dream come true to work with such esteemed actors!

In this upcoming film, we’ll see the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Wakandans, and the New Avengers squad joining forces to take on Doctor Doom, portrayed by none other than Robert Downey Jr.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.

Superhero Movies That Reinvented Their Franchise

1. Batman (1989)

From 1940s melodramatic serials and the 1966 campy film, Batman’s big-screen appearances were limited until Tim Burton came along with his 1989 “Batman” movie starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the twisted Joker. This stylish, dark, and psychologically complex blockbuster set a new tone for the superhero genre with its gothic aesthetic, Art Deco-inspired decay, and mature themes. It paved the way for three sequels and an esteemed animated series.

2. Spider-Man (2002)

In 2002, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man wasn’t the initial Spidey film; that title belongs to a cheesy TV movie by CBS that was released theatrically overseas in 1977. However, it could be argued that this film is the most defining for the Spider-Man franchise. By the early 2000s, the market for superhero movies was somewhat uncertain except for a few exceptional titles like 2000’s X-Men. But everything shifted when Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker made his appearance on screen. With groundbreaking (at the time) CGI effects, entertaining acting, and an iconic score by Danny Elfman, Spider-Man set a new standard for modern superhero films, paving the way for a wave of comic book blockbusters and establishing big-screen superhero movies as both profitable ventures for studios and significant cultural phenomena.

3. Batman Begins (2005)

The movie “Batman Begins” delves into the troubled journey of Bruce Wayne as he transforms into a vigilante fighting against the corrupt and cynical core of Gotham. A secretive terrorist intends to wipe out the city completely in this narrative. Unlike previous Batman films on the big screen, which often had a campy feel, “Batman Begins” presented a more realistic and grounded portrayal. Directed by Christopher Nolan in 2005, this film explored the intricate psychology and dark themes found in the Batman comics with sincerity. “Batman Begins” paved the way for a new epoch of serious, gritty superhero movies and franchise reboots, earning it a significant impact in its genre and beyond.

4. X-Men: First Class (2011)

In the dramatic setting of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 1960s, the 2011 film “X-Men: First Class” focuses on James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender portraying young versions of Charles Xavier (Professor X) and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto), respectively. Alongside other emerging mutants, they join forces to combat a mutant extremist who aims to ignite a nuclear war. This gripping, historically relevant origin story seamlessly blends the thrilling espionage atmosphere of the era with Matthew Vaughn’s dynamic and action-packed directing technique, while also resonating deeply with the X-Men’s themes of fearing the other. Essentially, “X-Men: First Class” rejuvenated a franchise that had already revolutionized its genre more than a decade earlier.

5. Logan (2017)

In the future, the movie “Logan” showcases a powerful performance by Hugh Jackman as a weary Wolverine, who teams up with Charles Xavier to safeguard a young mutant girl from a malicious organization. Drawing inspiration from the “Old Man Logan” comic storyline, this 2017 film gave the iconic X-Men character a surprising, dark, and Western-style twist, making it Jackman’s final portrayal of Wolverine, although originally intended as such. The outcome is the X-Men franchise’s most intense, complex, and emotionally resonant film, often hailed as one of the best superhero movies ever made.

6. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

In a new take, the film “Thor: Ragnarok” places the God of Thunder, Thor, in a strange world. He battles to return to Asgard and prevent a disaster from befalling his people. Unlike its earlier versions, the 2011 movie “Thor” and the 2013 film “Thor: The Dark World,” which were merely average superhero films, this 2017 production revitalizes the franchise with a jolt of energy. It’s like someone gave the series a shock to bring it back to life. Drawing inspiration from ’80s science fiction and fantasy blockbusters, and filled with witty humor, this vibrant, humorous journey through space is one of the most original and enjoyable films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

7. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

In 2018, after several portrayals of Peter Parker on screen, the animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” introduced a fresh spin with Miles Morales as the new web-slinger. This movie tells the story of a teenager from Brooklyn who’s grappling with his newly acquired superpowers, alongside other versions of Spider-Man. With its innovative animation, compelling character development, and stylish vibe, “Into the Spider-Verse” set a high standard for creative superhero narratives, even beating the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home” to the multiverse concept a few years earlier.

8. The Suicide Squad (2021)

To many fans of DC Comics, the 2016 movie “Suicide Squad” was a disheartening, unkind debacle marred by excessive visuals, a chaotic narrative, and underutilized stars who didn’t gel well as an ensemble. However, five years later, the franchise found its footing with a significantly improved follow-up. Boasting the witty humor of “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn, the 2021 film “The Suicide Squad” strikes a perfect balance between action and laughter – something the initial movie fell short of achieving. Despite not performing exceptionally well at the box office, it garnered critical praise and paved the way for the new DC Universe with its spinoff series centered around “Peacemaker”.

9. The Batman (2022)

Fans of Batman have witnessed the series grow increasingly darker with each new movie, and 2022’s “The Batman” might be its most somber yet. Robert Pattinson’s portrayal of young Bruce Wayne is not a polished billionaire or sophisticate, but rather a gritty, privileged orphan who broods as he battles the Riddler and Gotham’s criminal underworld. Director Matt Reeves presents a gloomy interpretation of the Dark Knight that resembles a meticulous detective thriller, much like a deep-rooted police procedural. This darker approach has even led to the creation of a TV spinoff, HBO’s gripping crime drama “The Penguin.

10. Superman (2025)

In 2025, James Gunn brought a refreshing, lighter spin on Superman to the screen, a stark contrast to the glossy “Superman Returns” (2006) and somber “Man of Steel” (2013). David Corenswet portrayed Clark Kent in this vibrant, fun, and emotionally resonant film. For quite some time, the Superman franchise had been missing these qualities, but this movie has certainly filled that void. Notably, it lays the foundation for a new DCU, signaling a hopeful beginning for the future of the studio’s live-action comic book adaptations on the big screen.

2025-08-08 20:06