Ian McKellen revealed a major spoiler about his character Magneto in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Avengers: Doomsday, hinting at a large-scale destructive event involving the state of New Jersey. The film, set to release on December 18, 2026, will feature McKellen reprising his iconic role as Magneto, alongside other notable MCU and X-Men characters like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and James Marsden’s Cyclops.
The reveal came during an interview on the series Jake’s Takes, where McKellen reflected on his past experiences playing the magnetic mutant in various X-Men movies. While reminiscing on the memorable visual effects of 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, McKellen casually mentioned that Magneto would be “destroying New Jersey” in Doomsday, a detail that sparked immediate speculation among fans about the scale of devastation to expect.
McKellen Reflects on Past Magneto Moments and Digital Effects Today
Ian McKellen fondly remembered the practical effects used during the filming of X-Men: The Last Stand, particularly the powerful sequence where Magneto detached the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and floated it through the air towards Alcatraz. The actor described the atmosphere on set, highlighting how the combination of physical sets and wind machines helped him immerse in the character’s magnetic powers.
“A favorite 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 [gesturing]. Over the loudspeaker, the director [Brett Ratner] was saying ‘More, Ian, more,’ and eventually had to shout ‘Less, Ian, less!’ but it was all basically that.”
Brett Ratner, Director of X-Men: The Last Stand
McKellen also recalled a scene from the original 2000 X-Men movie where the crew dropped real cars from a height to simulate Magneto’s telekinetic control over metal objects. These practical effects clearly left a strong impression on the actor, emphasizing the unique joy he finds in portraying Magneto. He noted that with advancements in digital effects, bringing Magneto’s magnetic powers to life has likely become easier, a shift that aligns with the scope expected in Doomsday.
Unexpected Revelation About New Jersey’s Destruction
While discussing the evolution of visual effects, McKellen let slip a surprising detail about his character’s role in Avengers: Doomsday. He admitted to having
“destroyed New Jersey the other day”
during filming, immediately following it with a mild on-air regret for revealing such information. The statement implies that Magneto’s destructive powers will have significant consequences, potentially leveling the state of New Jersey within the MCU narrative.
“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.”
Ian McKellen, during Jake’s Takes interview
This admission was delivered in an unscripted and casual manner, suggesting it was an unintentional spoiler. While McKellen’s reputation as a highly skilled actor means he could be feigning embarrassment or teasing, the tone of the statement conveyed genuine surprise, making it likely to be an authentic glimpse into the film’s plot. The enormity of this event could mark a pivotal moment in Doomsday.
Magneto’s Legacy of Destruction and What It Means for Doomsday
The idea of Magneto causing massive destruction on such a scale is consistent with his powerful abilities and past portrayals in the X-Men franchise. In the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse, a younger version of Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender, manipulated Earth’s magnetic fields to unleash catastrophic disasters under the influence of the mutant Apocalypse. This background establishes Magneto as a character capable of world-altering destruction when motivated.
Given that Avengers: Doomsday is expected to unite a vast array of Marvel heroes and villains, McKellen’s Magneto potentially obliterating New Jersey signals a story of epic conflict and scale. Whether this destruction is a singular, dramatic event or one of many acts of chaos remains unknown, but it is sure to impact many characters across the film. Fans of Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Smith, George R.R. Martin, and other New Jersey natives may find this plot point particularly significant.
The extent of destruction and how it factors into the broader MCU storyline will likely be revealed as the film’s release approaches. Until then, McKellen’s unexpected revelation sets the stage for a charged and intense chapter in the Marvel saga that embraces complexity and high stakes.
