James Marsden Talks About Returning as Cyclops – It Feels Like a “Homecoming

James Marsden has opened up about returning as the hero Cyclops ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Marsden spoke about reprising the hero who was thought to have died in 2006’s ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’.

“I’m getting a little long in the tooth to put on the superhero costume. [Laughs.] I was excited because you’re a part of something gigantic,” he said. “I’ve spent 20 years listening to people say, ‘When are you coming back? When are you coming back? Are you coming back?’

“I’m dead. Well, maybe not. I’m going to have a tough time struggling to get into costume if they wait a couple more years. So it’s been a blast. It really has. It’s been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map. It was the first real event project that I was ever a part of, and a very beloved character, this icon from the comics. And so to step back into that role was pretty special.”

As well as ‘The Last Stand’, Marsden also appeared in the 2000 film ‘X-Men’ and the 2003 film ‘X2: X-Men United’. 

Marsden is not the only ‘X-Men’ character to reprise his role in ‘Doomsday’. 

Patrick Stewart will return as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen will return as Magneto, and Rebecca Romijn will return as Mystique. 

The ‘Doomsday’ cast includes many more characters, including Robert Downey Jr. as villain Doctor Doom. 

Doom is a villain most commonly associated with the Fantastic Four, with the four members being introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the recent film ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will arrive in cinemas on December 18, 2026.