Kelsey Grammer has shared his enthusiasm for reprising his role as Hank McCoy, aka Beast, in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in 2026. During a heartfelt conversation on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Grammer opened up about his deep connection to the character and the thrill of returning to the blue-furred mutant, a role he first portrayed in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and revisited in a cameo for The Marvels (2023).
Grammer’s return as Beast in Avengers: Doomsday has been confirmed, marking a pivotal moment for fans and the MCU’s integration of X-Men characters following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Reflecting on his journey with the character, Grammer admitted to feeling a pang of disappointment when Nicholas Hoult portrayed a younger Beast in later X-Men films. “They had the younger guy come on and play Beast for a couple. And I was a little crestfallen over that. I thought, ‘Oh gee whiz,’” he said on The Jamie Kern Lima Show. “But… I’ve always wanted to play him again.” The enthusiastic fan response to his cameo in The Marvels reignited his passion, with Grammer noting, “The response was pretty big, pretty positive. Like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Beast.’”
Delving into what makes Hank McCoy special, Grammer described him as a profound figure. “I love the character; he’s so soulful, so dedicated to the greater good,” he shared on The Jamie Kern Lima Show. He further emphasized Beast’s moral compass, stating, “He’s a man of real stature, and that’s what I intend to bring to him — ethical conduct. He’s a man who studies good and does his best to live by that. And I like that.” Grammer’s connection to the role runs even deeper, as he revealed, “I feel like it’s who I am,” highlighting how closely he identifies with Beast’s soulful and principled nature.
This quote underscores Grammer’s commitment to portraying Beast as a beacon of integrity, a quality that could resonate deeply in the high-stakes, morally complex narrative of Avengers: Doomsday. His focus on ethical conduct suggests Beast may serve as a grounding force amidst the film’s multiversal chaos, offering a perspective that balances intellect with unwavering principles.
Watch the complete interview with Kelsey Grammer on The Jamie Kern Lima Show in the video below:
Confirmed X-Men Actors for Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Studios’ cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday included several legacy X-Men actors reprising their roles from the Fox universe, confirmed during a livestream on March 26, 2025. The confirmed X-Men actors are:
Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/Beast, returning after X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and The Marvels.
Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier/Professor X, known for the original X-Men trilogy and a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, last seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, reprising his role from X2: X-Men United.
Rebecca Romijn as Raven Darkhölme/Mystique, from the original X-Men trilogy.
James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops, returning from the original X-Men trilogy and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Channing Tatum as Remy LeBeau/Gambit, following his debut in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
These actors, primarily from the early 2000s Fox X-Men films, with Tatum as a recent addition, signal a significant X-Men presence in the film, potentially setting the stage for a multiversal clash or alliance against Doctor Doom.
Directed by the Russo Brothers, Avengers: Doomsday is poised to be a cornerstone of the MCU’s Phase Six, building on the multiverse narrative of Avengers: Endgame and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With Robert Downey Jr. cast as Doctor Doom, Beast’s inclusion promises a dynamic addition to the ensemble, bridging the X-Men and Avengers worlds. Though details about his role remain undisclosed, Grammer’s return, infused with his vision of Beast as an ethical pillar, is set to deliver a nostalgic yet fresh contribution to the franchise.
Source: The Jamie Kern Lima Show via Collider
