By India McCarty
James Marsden had one specific fear when it came time to reprise his X-MEN role — and it might not be what you think.
“Would I fit in [the costume]?” he asked during an episode of JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! on March 23. “What would it look like?”
Marsden continued, “The first movies, we were just in black leather. They were very, very tight. They were very restricted, so you couldn’t really move around. You just don’t feel like a superhero in these.”
Related: X-MEN Actor Calls Returning to Role ‘Pretty Special’: ‘It’s Been a Blast’
The actor played Cyclops in 2000’s X-MEN and then again in two sequels, plus a cameo in 2014’s X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. Last year, it was announced Marsden would reprise the role once again in the upcoming AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY.
“It’s been a blast. It really has,” Marsden told Vanity Fair. “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.”
The actor continued, “I was excited because you’re a part of something gigantic, and 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.”
In addition to Marsden, Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) are all reprising their X-MEN roles.
“It was amazing,” Cumming said of his experience working on DOOMSDAY in an interview with PEOPLE. “It was actually really — in a sort of ooey, gooey way, it was really healing and really nice to go back to something that it was a terrible experience when I did it the first time. A great film, great film. I love the film.”
The actor has previously spoken about his “miserable” experience on X2, calling the set “dangerous” and “abusive.”
“It was actually really great to go back,” Cumming said of the DOOMSDAY set. “And especially, I’m 60 years old. I did not think I would be doing stunts, playing a superhero in my 60s. So that was great. And everyone was really nice.”
Of his role, McKellen teased, “I don’t always understand the story of these movies that I’m in. But in this one, I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying that Magneto destroys New Jersey. I’m sorry about that.”
AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY premieres Dec. 18, 2026.
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