Avengers: Doomsday Begins Filming in the UK with Shocking X-Men Reunion
Marvel Studios has officially kicked off production on Avengers: Doomsday, and newly leaked set photos are sending shockwaves across fandoms. The images confirm that several legendary X-Men cast members will reprise their roles in this highly anticipated MCU crossover event. Set to be one of the most ambitious films in Marvel history, the movie appears to merge timelines and franchises, uniting the Avengers with the X-Men nearly 25 years after the mutants’ cinematic debut.
Classic X-Men Stars Return After Two Decades
Photos snapped on set and shared by social media user @BuiltFromSmash reveal the return of some of the most beloved X-Men actors. These include James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Ian McKellen as Erik Lensherr/Magneto, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler.
Interestingly, Channing Tatum, who was long rumored to play Gambit in an unproduced solo film, will also make his debut as the Cajun mutant in Doomsday, marking his first official appearance in the MCU.
Production Timeline Confirms Arrival of Mutants
Production for Avengers: Doomsday officially started on March 26, 2025. Alan Cumming had previously revealed in an interview that he was scheduled to arrive on set in early April, which aligns with the recent leak of behind-the-scenes images featuring many of the returning mutants. These photos hint at significant plot developments and possible alliances between the X-Men and the Avengers.
Leaked Set Photos Offer Clues to the Plot
One of the most talked-about images shows James Marsden alongside Benedict Wong, who reprises his role as Wong from the Doctor Strange films. Marsden appears in casual clothing without Cyclops’ iconic red-lens visor or glasses, sparking speculation that the characters may be in a recruitment or pre-battle phase. Fans are wondering if Wong is attempting to recruit Cyclops to help fight the film’s central villain, presumed to be Doctor Doom.
Another photo captures Marsden in casual sunglasses beside Ian McKellen’s Magneto. McKellen is seen wearing a costume reminiscent of his X-Men trilogy days—black tunic, purple cape, and no helmet. The image has fueled theories that the Brotherhood of Mutants and the X-Men may be teaming up, possibly against a larger threat that even the Avengers can’t handle alone.
A Universe-Altering Event in the Making
Rumors continue to circulate that Avengers: Doomsday will serve as a massive convergence event, possibly paving the way for the Secret Wars storyline or a multiversal reset. With characters from Fox’s X-Men universe and the core MCU sharing screen time, Doomsday could act as a narrative bridge between the previous Marvel film eras and what’s to come in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 6.
The Multiverse Is Real — And It’s Expanding
While Marvel has yet to confirm the full cast or storyline, the presence of these iconic mutants hints at a sprawling, multiverse-driven narrative. Whether it’s a temporary alliance or a full integration of the X-Men into the current MCU, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most consequential films to date.