X-Men fans have taken to social media to celebrate the return of James Marsden as Cyclops in the newly released trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. The 52-year-old actor, who first portrayed Scott Summers in the 2000 film X-Men, reprises the role in the upcoming Marvel epic alongside other original cast members including Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique).
The trailer features a reunion between Professor X and Magneto playing a game of chess with hovering pieces, before cutting to a dramatic scene of Cyclops removing his visor and unleashing an unrestrained optic blast. Fans have praised the costume design, noting it remains faithful to the original comics.
On X, one fan wrote: 'I’ve never been a Cyclops fan but I always thought James Marsden was perfectly cast and they did him dirty in the X-Men movies. Glad to see a possible redemption for Avengers: Doomsday.' Another added: 'James Marsden you deserved so much more for being Scott Summers.' A third posted a gif from the trailer with the caption: 'JAMES MARSDEN AS CYCLOPS WILL FINALLY BE DONE JUSTICE IN AVENGERS DOOMSDAY RAGHHH.'
Marsden previously described returning to the role as a 'homecoming' in an interview with Vanity Fair in August. He joked about being 'a little long in the tooth to put on the superhero costume' but expressed excitement at being part of 'something gigantic'. He added: '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.'
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release in cinemas on 18 December 2026.
