In a surprising revelation, actor Alan Cumming has hinted at a major showdown in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Avengers: Doomsday. During an interview with BuzzFeed UK, Cumming, who is reprising his role as Nightcrawler from the Fox-era X-Men films, suggested that his character will face off against Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic of the Fantastic Four. The comments have sparked excitement and speculation among fans about how these iconic characters will clash in the highly anticipated film.
Cumming shared the tease while discussing his preparation for the role, stating, “I’m learning these fights and I’m like, ‘Who am I fighting with?’ I said, ‘You’re hitting Pedro Pascal against the head.’” The lighthearted remark, captured in an interview clip, points to a physical confrontation between Nightcrawler, the teleporting mutant, and Reed Richards, the stretchable genius leader of the Fantastic Four. This interaction hints at a collision between the X-Men and Fantastic Four within the MCU’s multiversal narrative, a prospect that has fans buzzing with theories about the film’s plot.
Reflecting on his return to the role after 23 years, Cumming expressed amazement at the opportunity, noting advancements in the makeup process for Nightcrawler. He told Today with Jenna & Friends, “I’ve had some makeup tests already for the role. Before it was about four and a half hours to apply it, but now it’s only 90 minutes. Before, all of the tattoos were done by hand. They hadn’t decided on them before we started filming. Now, they just stick onto my face. It’s a game changer.” This significant reduction in preparation time highlights technological improvements since his last appearance in X2: X-Men United in 2003, making his return to the blue-skinned mutant more manageable.
Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the Russo Brothers, is set to be a pivotal chapter in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The film is expected to explore complex interactions between characters from different Marvel universes, with Cumming’s Nightcrawler representing a key figure from the Fox X-Men continuity. His return, alongside Pascal’s debut as Reed Richards, underscores Marvel’s ambition to weave together its newly acquired properties into a cohesive cinematic event.
X-Men Actors Confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel’s cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday, revealed through a record-breaking five-and-a-half-hour livestream, confirmed the return of several actors from the Fox X-Men universe, reprising their iconic roles. The confirmed X-Men actors include:
Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier / Professor X
Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
James Marsden as Scott Summers / Cyclops
Rebecca Romijn as Raven Darkhölme / Mystique
Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler
Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy / Beast
Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau / Gambit
These actors, primarily from the original X-Men trilogy and Deadpool & Wolverine, signal a significant integration of the Fox X-Men universe into the MCU. While speculation persists about additional returns, such as Hugh Jackman as Wolverine or James McAvoy as a younger Charles Xavier, no further X-Men actors have been officially confirmed. The inclusion of these characters suggests a multiversal narrative that may explore team-ups or rivalries, with fans theorizing about a potential Avengers vs. X-Men dynamic based on the comic book event.
The inclusion of X-Men characters alongside the Fantastic Four and other MCU staples signals a bold direction for Avengers: Doomsday. With Cumming’s tease of a Nightcrawler-Reed Richards battle, the stage is set for a thrilling clash of Marvel’s most iconic heroes. As production continues, fans will be watching closely for more hints about how these beloved characters will shape the future of the MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025. Avengers: Doomsday will follow, hitting theaters on May 1, 2026.
You can watch the latest trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps below:
