Marvel fans across the UK and beyond are buzzing with excitement after the latest trailer for Avengers: Doomsday confirmed a major comeback. James Marsden is set to reprise his role as the optic-blasting superhero Cyclops, marking his first appearance as Scott Summers in 12 years.
A Heroic Homecoming for a Beloved Character
The 52-year-old actor, who first donned the visor in Bryan Singer's 2000 film X-Men, was spotted in the new teaser unleashing a powerful blast. His return follows his initial trilogy run, which included X2: X-Men United (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). Despite Cyclops meeting his end in the latter film, Marsden made a brief time-travel cameo in 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past.
In Avengers: Doomsday, he will join a host of returning X-Men veterans, including Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique. The trailer itself hints at the epic scale, featuring a poignant scene of Professor X and Magneto reuniting over a chess game with floating pieces, before cutting to Cyclops's dramatic moment.
Fan Elation and Long-Awaited Justice
Social media platforms, particularly X, erupted with praise following the trailer's release. Long-time followers of the franchise expressed overwhelming support for Marsden's return, with many noting that his new costume appears far more faithful to the classic comic book design than previous iterations.
One fan declared online: "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." Another emphatically posted: "JAMES MARSDEN AS CYCLOPS WILL FINALLY BE DONE JUSTICE IN AVENGERS DOOMSDAY." The sentiment highlights a widespread belief that the actor's portrayal was underutilised in the earlier films.
Marsden's Personal Take on the Return
Speaking to Vanity Fair in August 2025, Marsden opened up about the significance of stepping back into the iconic role. He humorously remarked on the challenges of getting back into superhero shape, joking that he's "getting a little long in the tooth to put on the costume."
However, his enthusiasm was clear. "It was a homecoming to a role that really put me on the map," Marsden stated. "It was the first real event project that I was ever a part of, and a very beloved character... And so to step back into that role was pretty special." He also acknowledged the constant questions from fans over the past two decades about a potential return, quipping, "I'm dead. Well, maybe not."
The film, which promises to be a monumental crossover event, is scheduled for release in cinemas on 18 December 2026.
