Marvel Studios made headlines last year by confirming the return of several beloved actors from the original X-Men film series for Avengers: Doomsday, including Patrick Stewart reprising Professor Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and Channing Tatum as Gambit. These legacy castings represent a major bridge between the Fox-era mutants and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, building on the multiversal groundwork laid in projects like Deadpool & Wolverine. However, one of the franchise’s most iconic performers will not be among them: Halle Berry has confirmed she will not be returning as Storm in the upcoming crossover event.
In a recent talk with Screen Rant, Berry recently spoke openly about her decision during an interview, reflecting on her deep connection to the character. “Storm is a very special character to me. I’ve been so blessed when I gotten to play her,” she said. “I think the whole world of the X-Men and being mutants and outcasts. And there’ve been movies that I’ve been proud to have my children watch. They have so much to say that I thought has been really important, especially for my children as they’ve grown. So they’re beloved. And while I’m sad I won’t be in Doomsday this round, there are other rounds. And I would do that in a heartbeat.”
Berry first portrayed Ororo Munroe, the regal and immensely powerful mutant known as Storm, in the groundbreaking 2000 film X-Men. She went on to reprise the role in X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past, bringing a commanding presence and emotional nuance to one of Marvel’s most enduring heroes. In the comics, Storm has served as a leader of the X-Men, ruled as queen alongside Black Panther, temporarily wielded Mjolnir, and consistently ranked among the most formidable mutants in the Marvel Universe. Her weather-manipulation abilities—ranging from summoning lightning and tornadoes to controlling global atmospheric conditions—combined with her grace and strength made her a standout figure in the franchise. Berry’s performances helped solidify Storm as a powerful symbol of resilience, leadership, and representation, particularly for Black women in superhero cinema.
The confirmation of her absence arrives as Avengers: Doomsday shapes up to be one of the most ambitious MCU projects to date. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film will feature Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU in the role of Victor von Doom (Doctor Doom), while uniting Avengers, Fantastic Four members, and the returning X-Men veterans in a multiversal conflict of unprecedented scale. Early teases suggest devastating stakes for the mutant community, with imagery of a destroyed Xavier’s School and characters facing existential threats. While Berry’s non-involvement may surprise some fans hoping for a fuller reunion of the original cast, her expressed openness to future appearances leaves the door ajar in the ever-shifting landscape of the multiverse.
Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled for theatrical release on December 18, 2026. It will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027, which is set to serve as the grand finale of the Multiverse Saga. Recent reports indicate a strong likelihood that Secret Wars could be split into two parts to fully explore its sprawling narrative scope, according to The Cosmic Circus.
