Every Original X-Men Character Missing From Avengers: Doomsday (& Will They Return?)

Marvel Studios is promoting Avengers: Doomsday as a huge movie event that will dramatically expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe by bringing together heroes from different timelines. The film will introduce Victor von Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.), a powerful villain from across multiple universes, who is such a threat that it takes the combined strength of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and characters from the X-Men films (originally from 20th Century Fox) to stop him. We already know that fan favorites like Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Erik Lehnsherr (Ian McKellen), and Scott Summers (James Marsden) will be back, but not all the original X-Men actors are officially joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s not surprising that some of the original X-Men aren’t in the new Avengers: Doomsday movie. With so many major characters already planned, it’s tough to give everyone a significant part. Marvel is famously secretive, and past movies have shown they like to keep surprises. Actors have even been known to mislead fans to avoid spoilers, and with the multiverse, anyone could potentially appear unexpectedly. So, let’s look at which original X-Men members haven’t been officially confirmed for the film yet.

8) James “Logan” Howlett, aka Wolverine

Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine, starting with the first X-Men movie in 2000, redefined the superhero genre. His recent return in Deadpool & Wolverine has created a lot of excitement around the character, especially after the film’s huge success. While Wolverine isn’t currently listed among the cast for Avengers: Doomsday, it’s likely Marvel Studios is saving his big team-up with the Avengers for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. This would maximize the emotional impact of the moment and allow the studio to first focus on other X-Men leaders.

7) Marie D’Ancanto, aka Rogue

Rogue, played by Anna Paquin, quickly became a central character audiences connected with when she debuted in the first X-Men movie. Her story focused on a scared young woman trying to find her place in a world that feared her, and the challenges of controlling her power to absorb others’ abilities. This internal conflict drove much of the drama in the original X-Men trilogy. While she was a key member of the team in those early films, recent reports about the Avengers: Doomsday cast don’t mention her. Paquin has also found success in television since her days at Xavier’s school, and hasn’t expressed interest in returning to the franchise. Though her absence would be felt by fans of the original team, it seems likely she will remain part of the X-Men universe as it existed at Fox.

6) Bobby Drake, aka Iceman

Bobby Drake, played by Shawn Ashmore, started as a timid student but developed into a powerful hero known as Iceman. He learned to turn his whole body into ice and was a key member of the original X-Men team for over ten years of the Fox films, bringing a youthful spirit to the group. While he had a notable part in X-Men: Days of Future Past, he doesn’t appear to be involved in the events leading up to Avengers: Doomsday. Though Ashmore has continued to work on superhero projects like The Boys, he hasn’t been contacted by Marvel to reprise his role. Unless the story specifically needs Iceman’s ice powers, it seems unlikely he’ll be fighting alongside the other heroes against this new, universe-threatening villain.

5) John Allerdyce, aka Pyro

Aaron Stanford, who played John Allerdyce (Pyro), recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Deadpool & Wolverine. Pyro first appeared in the original X-Men movie as a student, then switched sides to join Magneto in X2: X-Men United, becoming a key villain. While his appearance in the 2024 film was a fun surprise for fans, that version of Pyro died in the Void. Since he already had a death scene, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be back for Avengers: Doomsday. Though a memorable character in the original X-Men trilogy, Pyro’s story in the current phase of Marvel movies seems to be over.

4) Kitty Pryde, aka Shadowcat

Kitty Pryde, played by Elliot Page, became a key character in the X-Men universe, particularly in X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Her ability to become intangible was expanded, even letting her send her mind back in time. She was a valuable strategist for the team and often represented their moral compass, especially for younger mutants. However, despite her importance in both the comics and the previous X-Men films, it’s currently unknown if Kitty Pryde (also known as Shadowcat) will appear in Avengers: Doomsday. Elliot Page has focused on other successful projects, and there’s little to suggest the character is planned for the upcoming fight against Victor von Doom. With so many powerful heroes already involved, there may simply not be enough space to give Shadowcat a meaningful role in this particular story.

3) Peter Rasputin, aka Colossus

As a huge X-Men fan, I always appreciated Daniel Cudmore as Colossus – he really looked the part in movies like X2: X-Men United and X-Men: Days of Future Past. But things got a little weird when the Deadpool movies introduced a completely CGI Colossus, voiced by Stefan Kapicic. While that version became what most people think of now, it’s frustrating that he didn’t get a substantial role in Deadpool & Wolverine. Honestly, with Colossus being so tied to the comedic Deadpool stuff and Daniel Cudmore’s live-action version being absent for over a decade, I’m pretty sure we won’t see him back for Avengers: Doomsday. It’s a shame, because I really liked the original!

2) Ororo Munroe, aka Storm

Storm, played by Halle Berry, is a hugely popular and powerful character in the X-Men universe, so fans were surprised she wasn’t included in the initial cast list for Avengers: Doomsday. As a weather-controlling mutant and former X-Men leader, she’d be a natural fit to help fight a major cosmic threat. Her importance was even highlighted in the animated series What If…?, where a version of Storm appeared as a powerful goddess. While Berry has said she wasn’t asked to join the production, many believe Storm’s significant role in Marvel could mean she’s a surprise addition they’re saving for the movie.

1) Jean Grey

Fans have noticed that Jean Grey (played by Famke Janssen), a key member of the original team, isn’t in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie. Because she’s incredibly powerful as the host of the Phoenix Force, many believe she could be a major problem for Victor von Doom’s plans. Janssen has stated she wasn’t asked to reprise her role, leaving viewers puzzled. However, a recent trailer released on January 6, 2026, might offer a clue. It shows the destroyed X-Mansion and ends with a distraught Cyclops unleashing a powerful optic blast. This suggests a tragic event involving Jean Grey could be the reason for Cyclops’ breakdown, and explains why she’s not appearing in the film.

If any original X-Men character could make a surprise appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, who would you want it to be? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-07 20:15