Ian McKellen, known for his role as Magneto, has seemingly revealed a significant plot point involving the destruction of New Jersey in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. In a recent discussion on the YouTube channel Jake’s Takes, McKellen unintentionally dropped this spoiler while reflecting on his past stunts in the X-Men film series.
The veteran actor recounted a stunt from 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, describing how two police vehicles were lifted without special effects. He then added a surprising comment about his current work:
“These were not special effects. Nowadays I think things will become a little bit easier — though I did destroy New Jersey the other day.”
Realizing the weight of his words, McKellen quickly said,
“Oooh, I perhaps shouldn’t have said that…”
What We Know About Magneto’s Return and the Film’s Premise
Fans have eagerly dissected McKellen’s comment, sparking theories about what this could imply for Avengers: Doomsday. The movie, which strongly features the X-Men realm, has offered glimpses through what appears to be a teaser rather than a full trailer. This footage shows Magneto and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X sharing a tense chess game at the X-Mansion, suggesting an ominous event is looming.
The scene shifts to the school’s devastation, with James Marsden’s Cyclops confronting large Sentinel robots, indicating a dire conflict. The trailer hints that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will play a key adversarial role, intensifying the stakes for both the X-Men and Avengers.
Connecting the Multiverse and Possible Storylines
Speculation about the story centers on the collapse of the multiverse, with realities intersecting violently as seen in previous Marvel entries like Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Captain Marvel, both of which hinted at X-Men’s integration into the MCU. One theory suggests Magneto may trigger the destruction of New Jersey to prevent an incursion within the X-Men universe, a sacrifice to save his world from reality crashing together.
New Jersey’s proximity to Westchester County, New York—the location of the X-Mansion—adds weight to this possibility. Alternatively, the destruction could take place within the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, presenting a pivotal moment that reshapes the overarching saga.
This scenario might also introduce Kamala Khan, a Jersey City resident and rising member of the young Avengers, broadening the narrative scope. If New Jersey’s devastation occurs in the central MCU timeline, it suggests Magneto and his allies may survive the X-Mansion’s fall and continue their fight elsewhere.
What’s Next for Fans Ahead of the December Release
Avengers: Doomsday is set for release on December 18, promising to clarify these mysteries. The film’s integration of Magneto and the ongoing multiverse crisis could drive major changes in the Marvel universe’s future, potentially reshaping how the various franchises collide and evolve.
Notably, the movie seems to shift focus away from usual New York City battlegrounds, with hints that Manhattan may finally avoid the destruction often seen in Marvel films.
Image credit: Joe Maher/WireImage via Getty Images.
