Alan Cumming is returning to the role of Nightcrawler in Avengers: Doomsday, more than two decades after his first and only appearance as the character in X2: X-Men United. The actor revealed that recent makeup tests have shown a significant reduction in preparation time, citing improvements in prosthetic techniques and application methods.
Cumming shared his thoughts during appearances on Today With Jenna and Friends and in conversation with Olivia Munn for Collider. “It’s been 23 years since I was a superhero,” he said. “I’ve had some makeup tests already for the role, but what’s great about it was that before it was about four and a half hours to apply it, but now it’s only 90 minutes.”
He explained that in his first portrayal of the character, the intricate blue tattoos were painted by hand. Now, those same details are applied as pre-formed decals. “They just stick onto my face,” he said. “It’s a game changer.”
Cumming is part of a group of returning X-Men actors joining the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, including Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique). The film is set to begin shooting in London and is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026. It will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
The production brings together characters from several Marvel franchises, including the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and X-Men. The plot will center on a conflict involving Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.
Cumming previously said X2 was the “gayest film” he ever worked on, referring to its creative team and cast. “It’s got a queer director, lots of queer actors in it,” he said last year. He noted that the film carried an allegorical element that resonated with LGBTQ+ audiences, touching on themes of concealment and identity. “It’s an allegory about queerness, about people having these great gifts and really great, powerful things that they have to hide to exist,” he said.
David Hayter, who wrote the screenplay for X2, responded publicly, saying he was glad the film had meaning for Cumming. He also referenced Ian McKellen’s understanding of the material’s symbolism. Both actors have spoken about the ways the franchise offered room for different interpretations beyond its superhero plot.
Cumming expressed enthusiasm about rejoining the franchise. “I’m going back to being a 60-year-old superhero, and everyone seems really lovely,” he said. The role in Avengers: Doomsday marks his first return to the character since 2003, as he did not appear in X-Men: The Last Stand or later installments like Days of Future Past.
While a number of original cast members are returning, not all are involved in the new production. Halle Berry, who portrayed Storm in four X-Men films from 2000 to 2014, said in a recent interview with Extra that she has no plans to appear in future Marvel projects. When asked if she would consider another superhero role, she answered, “Nope.”
As filming prepares to begin, Cumming’s return highlights both the technical evolution of superhero film production and Marvel’s effort to reconnect with longtime viewers through familiar characters and performers.