Avengers Doomsday X-Men Teaser 2026: Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen Officially Join the MCU

"Death comes for us all. It's all I know for sure." According to Entertainment Weekly, the legendary rivalry between Professor X and Magneto has finally reached the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). On January 6, 2026, Marvel Studios dropped a bombshell teaser for Avengers: Doomsday, featuring the return of Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and James Marsden.

The Avengers Doomsday X-Men Teaser Brings Back Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen

The footage offers the first official look at these stars reprising their iconic roles from the original 20th Century Fox era. The teaser showcases a hauntingly familiar scene of Xavier and Magneto playing chess amidst the ruins of the School for Gifted Youngsters. Fans also got a glimpse of James Marsden's Cyclops unleashing a massive optic blast after removing his protective visor, signaling a high-stakes multiversal conflict.

Comic-Accurate Suits and the Road to Mutant Eras

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the 2001 'New X-Men' comic-accurate designs. Cyclops dons the classic blue-and-yellow uniform, while Xavier wears a jacket featuring the black-and-red X symbol. This aesthetic shift aligns with Kevin Feige's vision of integrating legacy characters before a total "reset" of the mutant franchise. Other confirmed appearances include Channing Tatum as Gambit and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique.

Directed by the Russo brothers, the film focuses on Robert Downey Jr.'s Victor Von Doom breaking realities. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, followed by 'Secret Wars' in 2027.