Although Marvel is bringing back the bulk of the original X-Men stars for Avengers: Doomsday, the studio has left a few names out, which Jean Grey star Famke Janssen doesn't seem too happy about.
"I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that," said Janssen to Nerdtropolis at Spacecon 2026. The star says she is being asked about the movie all of the time, promising she isn't lying about the fact that she isn't returning. "I am so bad at keeping secrets," added Janessen. "It’s all on my face. You right away will read it."
Janssen played telepathic mutant Jean Grey, aka Phoenix, in the original X-Men movie. The 2000 movie also starred Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, who are all set to return in Doomsday, as well as Kelsey Grammer as Beast, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. The only other OG star left out is Storm actor Halle Berry.
It is not clear why Janssen wasn't asked to return, as she was part of the franchise for quite some time. After the first movie, the star then returned for X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand, and also made appearances in The Wolverine and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
The only reason we can think of is that there may soon be a new Jean Grey added to the MCU. Many Marvel fans think Sadie Sink is playing the mutant in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. If that is true, having two Jean Greys in the mix could be confusing, which might explain Janssen's absence. Plus, Brand New Day is set right before Doomsday, so whatever happens in the new Spidey movie may directly affect the new Avengers flick, including whatever chaos Sink's mysterious character may cause.
Doomsday is set to bring a long list of Marvel heroes back into the fold. The X-Men join the Thunderbolts*, the Fantastic Four, Chris Evans' Steve Rogers, Chris Hemsworth's Thor, the Wakandans, and many more as a new threat emerges in the shape of Doctor Doom, who just so happens to be played by Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives on December 18. For now, check out our guide on how to watch Marvel movies in order, and keep up with upcoming Marvel movies and shows.
