Skip to main content
  • TotalFilm
  • Edge
  • Newsarama
  • Retrogamer
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
Daredevil: Born Again
Superhero Movies Upcoming Marvel movies and shows for 2026 and beyond
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Marvel Movies Marvel Phase 6 release dates, news, leaks, rumors, and more
Tom Holland as Peter Parker unmasked and in the middle of a fight during a scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Marvel Movies Spider-Man 4 release date, cast, leaks and theories, and everything else we know about the Marvel movie
X-Men 97 season 2: a screenshot of all the mutants in the new Disney Plus series.
Marvel TV Shows X-Men '97 season 2 release date, plot, cast, and everything else you need to know about the animated Marvel series
Chris Evans as Cap in the first Avengers: Doomsday trailer
Marvel Movies Avengers: Doomsday release date, cast, plot, trailer, and more news
Matthew Lillard + Charlie Cox
Marvel TV Shows Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 star Matthew Lillard reveals more details about his mystery character going up against Kingpin: "He is not impressed”
Avengers: Secret Wars - three Spider-Men during the Marvel movie No Way Home
Marvel Movies Avengers: Secret Wars release date, cast, plot, and more news
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, Dune Part 2.
Sci-Fi Movies Dune 3 takes first victory over Avengers: Doomsday on Dunesday thanks to IMAX exclusivity window
Thunderbolts
Marvel Movies More Avengers: Doomsday reshoots are on the way, but Disney executives are reportedly pleased with footage of the film
Yahya Abdul Mateen II in Wonder Man (2025)
Marvel TV Shows Wonder Man reviews, cast, plot, and everything there is to know about the Marvel show
Robert Downey, Jr. brandishing a Doctor Doom mask at SDCC 2024, against the backdrop of Doom's face on the cover of West Coast Avengers #35
Marvel Movies Avengers: Doomsday merch may have just revealed our first real look at Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday, holding a baby
Marvel Movies The first Avengers: Doomsday trailer is now officially online, as the Russo Brothers explain why they brought Cap back
David Harbour as Red Guardian in Thunderbolts
Marvel Movies David Harbour teases the scale of Avengers: Doomsday: "I thought that Stranger Things 5 was big"
Chris Evans as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame
Marvel Movies The first official Avengers: Doomsday teaser is here, and the 12-month countdown is on
James Marsden as Cyclops in Avengers Doomsday
Marvel Movies Cyclops actor says Marvel is "giving everybody what they want" in Avengers: Doomsday, and X-Men fans will be happy
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Action Movies
  4. Marvel Movies
  5. Avengers: Doomsday

X-Men star Ian McKellen teases Magneto role in Avengers: Doomsday in the most hilarious way: "I'm putting on a fierce look and I'm trying to be magnetic"

News
By Megan Garside published 6 February 2026

No Avengers: Doomsday trailer? No Problem.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Ian McKellen as Magneto in X-Men
(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Since Marvel dropped four separate Avengers: Doomsday teasers in January, news on the upcoming MCU movie has been a little light, but thankfully, X-Men star Ian McKellen has come along to give us a little sneak peek at what fans can expect from his character.

"I don't always understand the story of these movies that I'm in. But in this one, I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying that Magneto destroys New Jersey. I'm sorry about that," said McKellen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The X-Men star is reprising his role as the mutant villain in the fifth Avengers movie, and by the sound of it, he'll be back to his old tricks.

After revealing Magneto's plans, McKellen acted out just how the baddie uses his powers against the city. "So, I'm standing up pretending to do that, and the wind is blowing in my hair, and I'm putting on a fierce look, and I'm trying to be magnetic," said McKellen, adding that the director gave him direction to "look more furious." A clip of McKellen's demonstration has since been posted on Twitter, check it out below.

You may like
  • Ian McKellen as Magneto in X-Men Ian McKellen lets slip details on how much damage Magneto does in Avengers: Doomsday
  • Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier in Avengers: Doomsday The X-Men Avengers: Doomsday trailer is online, with Cyclops unleashing his powers and Magneto and Professor X as allies
  • James Marsden as Cyclops in Avengers Doomsday X-Men star James Marsden says the Russo Brothers are "upping the ante" with Avengers: Doomsday

Ian McKellen reenacts filming with the Russo Brothers on the set of ‘AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY’ 😂(via @colbertlateshow) pic.twitter.com/GeBTyqfFzrFebruary 5, 2026

McKellen is one of many X-Men stars making their MCU debut in Avengers: Doomsday. Patrick Stewart is set to make an appearance as Charles Xavier, as well as James Marsden as Cyclops, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and Channing Tatum as Gambit. The X-Men join a stacked cast featuring the Thunderbolts*, the Fantastic Four, and many more.

We have already had the first look at McKellen in the upcoming Marvel movie, thanks to the X-Men-centric Doomsday trailer, which shows Magneto sitting across from Professor X. Plot details surrounding the new movie are being kept tightly under wraps, but we do know that the heroes will join forces to face Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

Doomsday arrives this December 18. For now, check out our guide on how to watch the Marvel movies in order, and keep up with upcoming Marvel movies and shows.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Superhero Movies
Megan Garside
Megan Garside
Social Links Navigation
Junior Social Media Editor, GamesRadar+

I'm the Junior Social Media Editor here at GamesRadar+, handling all of Total Film's social platforms. However, I also write, covering all things film and TV for the site's entertainment section. I joined GamesRadar+ in 2023 and have been here ever since. I previously worked in communications after graduating with an MA in journalism. In my spare time, you can find me binging horror movies or getting lost in a cosy little game on my Switch.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Ian McKellen as Magneto in X-Men
Ian McKellen lets slip details on how much damage Magneto does in Avengers: Doomsday
 
 
Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier in Avengers: Doomsday
The X-Men Avengers: Doomsday trailer is online, with Cyclops unleashing his powers and Magneto and Professor X as allies
 
 
James Marsden as Cyclops in Avengers Doomsday
X-Men star James Marsden says the Russo Brothers are "upping the ante" with Avengers: Doomsday
 
 
James Marsden as Cyclops in Avengers Doomsday
X-Men fans are hyped Cyclops is getting the spotlight in latest Avengers: Doomsday trailer
 
 
James Marsden as Cyclops in Avengers Doomsday
Cyclops actor says Marvel is "giving everybody what they want" in Avengers: Doomsday, and X-Men fans will be happy
 
 
Cyclops firing his optic blasts into the air and screaming, painted by Mark Sasso
The Avengers: Doomsday X-Men teaser is now in theaters and it finally gives fans exactly what we've been begging for
 
 
Latest in Marvel Movies
Spider-Man, Hulk, and Punisher posing in the jungle alongside a carved stone head
Writer Jonathan Hickman is bringing Spider-Man 4 stars Spidey, Hulk, and Punisher together just in time for the movie
 
 
Chris Evans as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame
Marvel fans are remembering the moments they were genuinely scared for their favorite heroes
 
 
Delroy Lindo as Delta Slim in Sinners
Sinners star Delroy Lindo told director Ryan Coogler that he wants to be in Black Panther 3 "if the stars line up"
 
 
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Spider-Verse 3 producers know it's taking a long time: "There's no one that puts more pressure on us than ourselves"
 
 
Thunderbolts
More Avengers: Doomsday reshoots are on the way, but Disney executives are reportedly pleased with footage of the film
 
 
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, Dune Part 2.
Dune 3 takes first victory over Avengers: Doomsday on Dunesday thanks to IMAX exclusivity window
 
 
Latest in News
Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen have been on Switch for over a week, but many players are still stuck in Oak's Lab
 
 
Big Walk
"Complicated feelings on our end": Indie devs behind new Peak-like co-op understand you think it's friendslop
 
 
A Na'vi draws a bow in Avatar: Fire and Ash
James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making $870 million less than The Way of Water
 
 
Ghost of Yotei Legends
"Mark my words. You cannot win without 4 players," Ghost of Yotei multiplayer lead warns of Legends' "hardcore content"
 
 
Dragon Age 2
Dragon Age 2 was originally planned to be "much bigger" before EA made other demands, says series lead
 
 
A soldier holding a gun and running through a battlefield with a group, showing the strong multiplayer elements and crisp visuals of Battlefield 6.
Battlefield 6 devs reportedly hit with layoffs after what EA called "the biggest launch in franchise history"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
    1
    Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen have been on Switch for over a week, but many players are still stuck in Oak's Lab trying to get shiny starters: "I'm going to cry"
  2. 2
    James Cameron says Avatar 4 is still "very likely", despite Fire and Ash making almost a billion dollars less than The Way of Water
  3. 3
    How to make and move duckweed in Pokemon Pokopia
  4. 4
    "Complicated feelings on our end": Indie devs behind new Peak-like co-op understand you think it's friendslop, but "it's a slight bummer that the other half of the term is the 'slop'"
  5. 5
    "Mark my words. You cannot win without 4 players," Ghost of Yotei multiplayer lead warns of Legends' "hardcore content," all but guaranteeing a flood of players trying to prove Sucker Punch wrong

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...