Marvel Phase 6: Magneto and Mystique Return!

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Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe (following “Howard the Duck”), there existed the X-Men trilogy. These films, manufactured by 20th Century Fox during the early-to-mid 2000s, catapulted Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and other characters into everyday recognition. Naturally, heroes wouldn’t be complete without adversaries, and the X-Men series was brimming with them. Actors like Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Ray Park, among others, played the role of antagonists for the X-Men.

The upcoming movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday,” set to release on May 1, 2026, promises exciting returns of long-anticipated supervillains. During Marvel’s March 26 livestream, it was announced that the film will bring back two iconic villains from the X-Men era previously under Fox: Sir Ian McKellen as Magneto and Rebecca Romijn reprising her role as Mystique.

Phase 6 Will Include 2 Big-Time X-Villains

Since 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” Sir Ian McKellen has not played Magneto, while it’s been over a decade since Rebecca Romijn donned the blue paint for “X-Men: The Last Stand” in 2006. However, both actors are set to return to their iconic roles. Given the characters’ enduring popularity and the length of time since McKellen and Romijn last portrayed them, their appearance in “Doomsday” might be considered a significant milestone.

Earlier reports indicated that Summer 2024 would see Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine in the billion-dollar-grossing film “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which came after he supposedly retired from the character in “Logan.” However, none of the villains from the Fox X-Men series made an appearance, with their original actors.

In other words, the movie “Avengers: Doomsday” is a pivotal and landmark event within the Marvel Universe as it brings back the characters Magneto and Mystique, played by their original cast members.

What Brings Magneto and Mystique to Avengers: Doomsday?

Magneto

Ian McKellen plays Magneto, a remarkable Mutant with the ability to manipulate metal using telekinesis. Previously, he was a close associate of Charles Xavier, the seasoned leader of the X-Men. Despite their friendship, they found themselves at odds due to differing viewpoints on how to ensure Mutant safety. Essentially, Charles advocated for coexistence while Erik sought conquest.

Despite playing a part as a post-apocalyptic liberator in X-Men: Days of Future Past, Magneto’s last significant appearance was in X-Men: The Last Stand. In that film, he executed his most merciless assault to date, utilizing the power of the Phoenix to impart a crucial lesson to Earth’s humans.

In “Avengers: Doomsday,” it’s still unclear what event draws Erik back into action. However, considering that the movie appears to delve into Multiverse storytelling, it seems plausible that he will interact with the Avengers themselves. In addition, Ian McKellen was seen near the “Doomsday” set in late April, sporting a beard, which could suggest a new appearance for Erik in this installment.

Mystique

In the original X-Men trilogy, Raven Darkholme, often referred to as Magneto’s second-in-command, stood by his side. Known as Mystique, she possesses a unique ability to transform into any shape or mimic voices. This skill has been utilized for deception and infiltration purposes. However, in the movie “X-Men: The Last Stand,” she unintentionally received a Mutant cure, which resulted in her losing her powers and assuming a human form.

Given that Mystique has been confirmed for “Avengers: Doomsday,” it’s generally assumed by fans that the character will be the same version seen in the original “X-Men” series. Assuming no multiverse shenanigans, this could imply a need for an explanation on how she regained her powers. This exposition could potentially be handled concisely through a few lines of dialogue within the script.

In 2022, Romijn was queried about potentially reprising her role as Mystique in a future Marvel film. The actress expressed her openness to the opportunity, and it seems that this openness has led to some developments.

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2025-05-04 07:34