Robert Downey Jr. Hails Return of Original X-Men Stars in Avengers: Doomsday

Robert Downey Jr. has praised the return of original X-Men actors Rebecca Romijn and Kelsey Grammer in Avengers: Doomsday, saying their presence on set created excitement among the cast.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly after Marvel's Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Downey Jr., who will play Doctor Doom, said seeing Romijn and Grammer reprise their roles as Mystique and Beast was "a big moment" and described the atmosphere on set as "incredible."

Grammer said he was pleased to return as Beast, describing the character as noble and driven by respect for all life. He added that the X-Men continue to represent hope and the belief that good can triumph.

Romijn said playing Mystique was easier this time because the makeup process was much shorter than during the original trilogy. She joked that the lengthy transformation in the earlier films helped her get into the mindset of the angry mutant.

The film also brings back several other original X-Men actors, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden and Alan Cumming. Nicholas Hoult and Jennifer Lawrence, who played younger versions of Beast and Mystique in later films, are not expected to return.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release in cinemas on 18 December 2026.