The holidays don't stop for Marvel it seems. Fresh off breaking the internet multiple times throughout December - only one of which was in an official capacity - the studio has released a new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday in movie theaters. And this one brings back the classic X-Men characters.
Marvel Studios' strategy for Avengers: Doomsday's early marketing has raised some eyebrows, but it has indeed seen them release a Steve Rogers trailer in theaters, and a Thor teaser soon afterwards. Both leaked online pretty quickly, prompting the studio to officially release the former on all platforms. But now, the third has made its way onto the internet and it's the most jaw-dropping yet.
Fox's X-Men return in third Avengers: Doomsday trailer
Fans all over the world have found themselves watching a very unexpected trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. The new clip, which Marvel has promptly ensured was pulled from all corners of social media, features X-Men legends Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, who reprise their respective roles of Magneto and Professor Charles Xavier.
Magneto, with long hair like his comic book counterpart, plays chess with his longtime friend / enemy as they discuss a potential end of all things. The villain says:
"Death comes for us all, that's all I know for sure. The question isn't are you prepared to die, the question is who would you be when you close your eyes."
Towards the end of the trailer, we get the moment that really sent fans into meltdown, as James Marsden reprises his role as Cyclops. For the first time, we get to see him wearing the character's iconic blue and yellow uniform, as he falls to his knees and lets out an optic blast - without his visor! - signalling a tragic event. And that tragic event is undoubtedly Doomsday itself.
Avengers: Doomsday revolves around the arrival of Doctor Doom, who is portrayed by MCU veteran Robert Downey Jr. The character is set to surface after a number of incursions threaten the multiverse itself, with the rumors suggesting that his attempts to save it - and potentially remake it in his own image - are what ultimately makes the heroes realize that he is the villain all along.
Needless to say, seeing the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be a sight to behold. Heck, the fans who watched the trailer before Marvel had it taken down already know that!
It had previously been announced that a host of X-Men stars would indeed be returning as part of Avengers: Doomsday's huge cast. Joining Marsden's Cyclops, McKellen's Magneto, and Stewart's Professor X are Rebecca Romijin's Mystique, Kelsey Grammer's Beast, and Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool are expected to at least cameo too, but their returns have yet to be confirmed in an official capacity.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.