Marvel Studios surprised fans when it confirmed that Sir Ian McKellen would return as Magneto in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, opposite Sir Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Professor X. McKellen’s highly anticipated comeback as the Master of Magnetism marks a significant moment for Marvel’s expanding cinematic universe, intensifying excitement about the film’s crossover potential and the multiverse storyline.
Behind the Scenes: McKellen Reflects on Returning to the MCU
In a recent interview with Jake’s Takes, Ian McKellen discussed joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe and working alongside a younger generation of actors. He admitted that he had underestimated Magneto’s popularity, initially viewing the character as a villain but recognizing fans’ appreciation for the character’s rebellious edge.
“I didn’t realise how popular he was,”
said McKellen.
I thought he was the villain, but no, I think people rather like his attitude. It was fun working with all those younger actors who were so confident about the parts they played in many other movies.
The actor also mentioned how he and Patrick Stewart, both seasoned actors, adapted to this fresh ensemble, noting the respect they received from the cast.
Patrick and I came in as old-timers,
McKellen remarked,
but they were very respectful and allowed us to have comfortable seats and so on.
Magneto’s Role and Major Spoilers for Avengers: Doomsday
McKellen revealed thrilling details about key scenes involving Magneto, including physically manipulating iconic landmarks and wreaking havoc in the film. He shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about filming a sequence where Magneto detaches San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, steering it toward Alcatraz Island.
“A favourite time was when I detached the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco from its moorings and was sailing it through the air towards Alcatraz. That was magical because they’d built the bridge in the open air, and I was on it, and the wind machine was blowing, and I was just doing that. Over the loudspeaker, the director—not Bryan this time—was saying ‘more, Ian, more,’ and eventually had to shout ‘less and less,’ but it was all basically that. And in the first film, I remember the camera behind me, my hands raised up, and as they did that, two police cars in front of me were raised up by cranes. When I, at a signal, dropped my hands, the cars dropped. These were not special effects. Nowadays, I think things will become a little bit easier, though. I did destroy New Jersey the other day. Oh, I perhaps shouldn’t have said that.”
This revelation about New Jersey’s destruction serves as a dramatic hint of the storyline’s scale, likely tied to the chaos from multiversal collisions expected in the film. Yet, McKellen chose not to confirm if he shares scenes with Robert Downey Jr., who portrays Doctor Doom, despite rumors circulating about their interactions.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team Behind Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday boasts an extensive ensemble cast featuring established stars such as Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Tom Hiddleston, and Sebastian Stan, along with new franchise additions like Letitia Wright, Wyatt Russell, and Florence Pugh. Veteran actors from the X-Men universe, including Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Alan Cumming, join the roster, alongside Deadpool and Wolverine’s Channing Tatum. Rumors also suggest appearances by Ryan Reynolds and Hayley Atwell.
The Russo Brothers are directing Avengers: Doomsday and its immediate sequel Avengers: Secret Wars, both penned by Stephen McFeely with input from Michael Waldron, who previously worked on Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This collaboration signals a fusion of narrative threads from across Marvel’s many properties, promising a complex and interwoven storyline.
What Avengers: Doomsday Means for the MCU’s Future
Set for release on December 18, Avengers: Doomsday promises to redefine the Marvel Cinematic Universe by blending characters and storylines from disparate franchises, including X-Men and the Avengers. Ian McKellen’s return as Magneto underscores the film’s epic scope and heightens anticipation about the impending multiverse battles and incursions.
Given McKellen’s disclosure about the destruction caused by Magneto and the extensive cast drawn from multiple cinematic universes, Avengers: Doomsday could become a pivotal event pushing the MCU into its next narrative phase. Following this, Avengers: Secret Wars, arriving in December 2027, is expected to further expand the consequences of the multiverse collapse, laying the foundation for new character dynamics and alliances.
