In an exciting announcement for Marvel fans, X-Men legends Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart are set to reprise their iconic roles in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled for a May 2026 release. This thrilling addition marks Sir Ian's return as Magneto after nearly a decade since his last appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Meanwhile, Sir Patrick Stewart appears as Professor Charles Xavier for the first time since his cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Marvel Studios hinted at the star-studded cast by revealing a video featuring a lineup of chairs marked with the names of the cast members. Notable familiar faces such as Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), and Anthony Mackie (Captain America) are confirmed to join the two veteran actors.

The excitement doesn't end there! Florence Pugh is set to return as Yelena Belova, and Simu Liu will reprise his role as Shang-Chi. Other cast members include Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Wyatt Russell (US Agent), Tenoch Huerta Mejia (Namor), David Harbour (Red Guardian), and Kelsey Grammer, who previously portrayed Beast in the X-Men franchise.

Additionally, members from the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot are also part of this A-list ensemble. Pedro Pascal, known for his role in The Last of Us, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach from The Bear are among those joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In a striking twist, Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to return, but this time as the formidable villain Doctor Doom, rather than his beloved character Iron Man. Downey Jr. electrified the crowd at San Diego Comic-Con while donning Doctor Doom's iconic mask and cloak, announcing enthusiastically, “I like playing complicated characters!” This revelation marks his first appearance in the franchise since Avengers: Endgame (2019), capping a five-year hiatus from Marvel films.

To add even more to the excitement, Downey Jr. landed an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer last year, showcasing his continued prowess in the film industry.

As anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday builds, fans can only imagine the epic Marvel crossover that awaits—featuring the return of beloved characters from multiple storylines and eras—and the thrilling possibilities of new alliances and confrontations against one of Marvel's most notorious villains. Will this film mark another pivotal moment in the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe?