The X-Men Are Coming to the MCU in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Marvel is creating quite a buzz by revealing the entire cast of the upcoming Avengers film live on YouTube and social media. As expected, familiar faces like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Paul Rudd, and stars from Marvel’s upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps are included. However, one name that has left fans intrigued is Kelsey Grammer, who seems to be taking on a role associated with the X-Men character Beast.

Initially, Ian McKellen took on the character of Beast in the 2006 Fox film “X-Men: The Last Stand.” More recently, he reappeared as that same character (this time using CGI instead of the makeup used in “The Last Stand”) in a brief appearance during the credits of “The Marvels” two years ago.

It’s quite reasonable to infer that this is the role of the character Grammer will portray in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Moreover, if Beast appears in the movie, it wouldn’t be surprising if a few more X-Men characters also make an appearance.

A couple of years back, Marvel gained the rights for producing X-Men movies following their acquisition of 20th Century Fox’s film studio. So far, they have only produced one movie with a focus on the X-Men: Last summer’s “Deadpool & Wolverine”. In addition to this, there have been subtle references and hints about the X-Men in other movies and series, such as Patrick Stewart’s appearance in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and a nod towards mutants in “Ms. Marvel”.

It’s yet undecided which other X-Men might join Grammer in Avengers: Doomsday. For now, the cast members confirmed for this film are Chris Hemsworth playing Thor, Vanessa Kirby as the latest Invisible Woman from the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Letitia Wright as both the Black Panther and Shuri, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, and Florence Pugh as Black Widow.

The movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday” will hit the big screens on May 1, 2026. Production for this film has formally begun, and you can keep track of the latest updates regarding the cast through the posts below.

Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

35. Eternals

Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and adapted from some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in the least crucial title. Regrettably, the movie Eternals, unfortunately, failed to coalesce effectively. It generally adheres to Kirby’s central ideas with a handful of minor yet significant alterations – for instance, transforming the malevolent Deviants into unremarkable monsters devoid of objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the main characters – Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris – find it challenging to convey their supposed passionate romance. (Their relationship spans over 6,000 years; they appear as if they’re on their first date and it’s not going well.) The screenplay occasionally delves into intriguing themes regarding the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to repeatedly abandon them for a string of routine battle sequences with uninspiring enemies. It is challenging to conceive a more tedious film about immortal extraterrestrial robots striving to prevent universal destruction than this one.

34. The Incredible Hulk

The film seems so haphazardly put together, it’s as if Marvel was taken aback when Iron Man took off and they hastily produced this. Loki’s transgression pales in comparison to the miscasting of Tim Roth as the world’s supreme soldier (who transforms into a massive bony beast). (Continue reading here.)

Or, if you want to emphasize the surprise aspect:

The production of this film seems so unexpected given Marvel’s success with Iron Man. Loki’s crimes don’t even come close to the misstep of casting Tim Roth as the world’s ultimate soldier (who turns into a big bony monster). (Read more here.)

33. Thor: The Dark World

Almost obtaining Patty Jenkins’ Thor, we instead received a dull pursuit of a mystical artifact, one that seems to be the most uninteresting villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A silver lining could be found in the fact that if this film hadn’t performed so poorly, Marvel might have been less inclined to experiment as boldly with Thor: Ragnarok. (Continue reading .)

32. The Marvels

This Marvel film isn’t the poorest in quality – it surpasses three others on this list, after all – yet it seems to be the most disorganized and intense. A trio of captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau) find themselves teamed up to halt a Kree warlord intent on causing havoc for unclear reasons. Despite the actors’ excellent chemistry, the plot – though thankfully short – is incredibly chaotic and filled with peculiar decisions that make little sense.

31. Captain America: Brave New World

In an alternate take, one might say: “The correct setting, yet the incorrect narrative. This sentiment resonates with many recent Marvel films (including The Marvels), but it’s particularly applicable to Captain America: Brave New World. Despite giving Anthony Mackie’s captivating character Sam Wilson his own movie, it unfortunately pairs him with a dull antagonist and a tale riddled with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk – leaving us all puzzled about Betty Ross’ whereabouts.

30. Doctor Strange

Visually stunning as it may be, Doctor Strange still struggles to shake off the impression that it’s essentially Iron Man 2 with a touch of magic. However, the smart twist at the end involving Dormammu earns a thumbs up. On the flip side, the odd cape worn by Strange gets a thumbs down. (For more details, click here.)

29. Iron Man 2

I found the movie to be better than I had recalled, but it still didn’t quite live up to expectations. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills were impressive and managed to conceal some of the film’s flaws, but not all of them. If approximately 15 minutes of the initial setup for Avengers were trimmed, it could have been something truly remarkable. (You can read more about it here.)

28. Ant-Man

Ant-Man isn’t awful, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what we could have had from Edgar Wright’s enlarged vision. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most compelling non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more .)

Ant-Man isn’t bad, but it seems like a smaller take on what we could have experienced from Edgar Wright’s grand movie. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis is arguably the most intriguing non-superpowered character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more .)

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In the grand spectacle that is Ant-Man versus Kang the Conqueror, even the formidable Jonathan Majors as Kang acknowledges that Scott Lang is biting off more than he can chew. This battle of titans mirrors the film itself – the charmingly down-to-earth Ant-Man universe with its humorous undertones and relatable characters seemingly pale in comparison to the grand multiversal saga unfolding in Marvel Phase 5. As a standalone Marvel cinematic experience, it delivers. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short, especially for those eagerly awaiting the return of the charismatic Michael Peña’s character, Luis, who unfortunately makes no appearance in this installment.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” truly shines when it emphasizes its compact nature. This is achieved through Paul Rudd’s humorous banter with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a tender, family-oriented plot revolving around a fractured family striving to mend itself once more. (Read more .)

25. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s character Carol Danvers could be the most potent hero; however, her movie seemed to miss some emotional depth. Despite this, it remains engaging due to two standout performers: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with his exceptional de-aging visual effects, portraying a youthful Nick Fury. (Continue reading .)

24. Black Widow

In 2021, Scarlett Johansson’s anticipated solo film, “Black Widow,” was released. However, instead of a standout role for Black Widow, she primarily served as the straight character alongside her witty Russian superhero family members, including David Harbour’s narcissistic Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. As a result, “Black Widow” might not have been the fitting farewell for the character it could have been. Nevertheless, it remains another strong Marvel production, boasting impressive action sequences, and an intriguing villain in Taskmaster, who can replicate fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Viewing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” seems akin to witnessing a magician attempting to amaze you with the same trick twice in quick succession. The first time was breathtakingly astonishing. The second time, while still impressive, lacks the initial shock value. Christian Bale delivers an unsettling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, but his intense and emotionally charged villain seems somewhat discordant with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his relentless joking. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the key components as Waititi’s previous Thor film, “Thor: Ragnarok”; however, they don’t harmonize quite as effortlessly this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

In this film, the camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is everything you’d expect, with their cameos being nothing short of surprising. However, the storyline pushes the limits of how much information it can cram in without becoming confusing. With two tragic backstories for one character alone, you might wonder if they could have done with a bit less. Essentially, if you manage not to think about the plot at all, you’ll find it reasonably enjoyable. And both actors deliver on the promise of Deadpool and Wolverine reluctantly teaming up to save the Fox X-Men universe. Unfortunately, while Jackman and Reynolds shine, the writers (including Reynolds himself) could have been more consistent in their storytelling.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

An Unconventional Take on Iron Man 2: Less appealing than you might recall, yet still worthwhile. The advertising focused excessively on the conspiracy thriller aspect, but Anthony Mackie’s Falcon significantly enhances the series, and Chris Evans delivers as dependably Captain-America-like as ever. However, it’s hard to accept that Nick Fury, the world’s most accomplished spy, was oblivious to the fact that almost everyone in SHIELD besides him and his two allies were utterly corrupt. Come on, man. Wake up! (Read more here.)

The key differences from the original text are:

1. The title is rephrased as “An Unconventional Take” instead of “The Bizarro.”
2. The phrase “Worse than you remember, but still decent” is replaced with “Less appealing than you might recall, yet still worthwhile.”
3. The sentence starting with “That said,” has been rephrased to begin with “However,” for a smoother flow.
4. The phrase “irks me” is replaced with “hard to accept” to convey the same sentiment in a more polite tone.
5. The last sentence has been slightly reworded for clarity and to emphasize the idea of Nick Fury being oblivious.

20. Avengers: Infinity War

From a die-hard fan’s perspective, the grandeur and audacity exhibited in this film are unmatched, and its conclusion is truly epic. However, despite its action-packed spectacle and witty one-liners, it seems to lack something essential for me. If you’re primarily seeking an adrenaline-pumping Marvel adventure, then you might find it satisfactory. But if you’re drawn to the characters, their relationships, and the heartfelt moments amidst the battles, this film may not quite hit the spot for you. (Read more here.)

19. Iron Man 3

The film was generally enjoyable, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe context somewhat detracted from it. The movie culminated in Tony Stark deciding to retire as Iron Man and departing into the sunset. However, this decision seemed short-lived as he went on to appear in several more films afterwards. Despite a lackluster performance by Guy Pearce’s character Killian, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with the precocious child were exceptional. (You can read more about it here.)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

To start things off: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and beasts clashing within a thick gray mist, is unfortunately marred by poor CGI. However, before that point, Shang-Chi could very well be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight scenes, such as the one on the San Francisco bus which is incredibly enjoyable. Simu Liu delivers a strong performance as the lead character, while Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh offer rich, layered portrayals in their supporting roles. Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently bring laughter to the film, with Kingsley’s portrayal of former Mandarin Trevor Slattery proving particularly endearing, despite not being the most popular Marvel villain initially. Marvel has ingeniously transformed him into a delightful secondary character.

17. Thor

In an unexpected twist, the grand, universe-encompassing tale largely unfolds in the smallest town of New Mexico – a setting that seems almost incongruous with the cosmic scale of the story. While movies like Thor do have their flaws, it’s worth noting that exceptional acting and casting choices managed to overshadow these initial structural and scripting issues, a trend that later became characteristic of Marvel productions. (Continue reading here.)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In the production of “Wakanda Forever,” Ryan Coogler encountered an exceptionally tough task. Besides creating a sequel that matched the excellence of “Black Panther,” he had to accomplish this without his captivating lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away in the summer of 2020, during the film’s pre-production phase. The movie shines most when it weaves Coogler and the cast’s emotions over Boseman’s loss into the narrative of Wakanda mourning its deceased king. Unfortunately, the remainder of the film is somewhat disorganized; a blend of intriguing concepts, an abundance of characters, and a villain, King Namor, whose motivations are somewhat unclear.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The narrative falls apart within seconds of examination, and the entire film is structured to lead up to an epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. To put it simply: Oh my goodness, the battle at the airport is incredibly thrilling! (Read more here.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, we find a level of quality similar to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both share an issue of being packed with numerous villains. However, this film excels in its portrayal of Peter Parker as a character, showcasing his persistent determination to correct his mistakes despite frequent failures. Furthermore, it significantly introduces the concept of the multiverse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making a significant impact on the ongoing storyline.

Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie is like Sam Raimi’s in quality and has too many villains. But it does a great job showing Peter Parker as a character who keeps trying to do better after messing up. It also brings the multiverse into the Marvel movies for the first time in a big way, which is important for the storyline.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

15 years later, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this exhilaratingly chaotic journey about a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous “Spider-Man” films, Raimi added his unique touch by incorporating humor, bizarre zombies, and jump scares into the conventional Marvel mold. (For further reading, check out this article: here.>)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Despite its perceived drop from the initial Avengers film and the complications with Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, I can’t fathom the intense dislike for this movie. The climactic scene where the Avengers unite to rescue every life in Sokovia encapsulates the essence of Marvel perfection at its finest. (Continue reading .)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

The sequel to Marvel’s lightest franchise is excessively long with an abundance of post-credits scenes. Yet, it’s audacious how they managed to turn a joking series into a movie that ends on a sad note. This is the only Marvel film that manages to make me shed tears and also includes jokes about alien deity phallic symbols. In my opinion, that’s a combination that works brilliantly. (For more details, check this out.)

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

In the second Marvel Spiderman movie, starring Tom Holland as the acrobatic Spider-Man, the film is slightly less remarkable than its predecessor, yet it still offers a blend of romance, action, humor, and emotion. The phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” may not be explicitly stated, but the movie “Far From Home” carries this theme as profoundly as any other Spiderman story. Here, Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, grapples with his dual desires: to pursue a relationship with MJ, played by the witty Zendaya, and to follow orders from a frustrated Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, to thwart a group of destructive elemental beings.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn skillfully concludes his Guardians trilogy with a movie that offers the perfect blend of Marvel elements: Thrilling action scenes, quirky science fiction visuals, and heartfelt characters we deeply care about. By the end of Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a minor Marvel character to one of the company’s most intriguing and tragic heroes. After a series of average films, Gunn effortlessly makes it seem easy. Unfortunately, he is moving on to manage DC productions now.

7. Avengers: Endgame

A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably the second-best Avengers film yet, featuring massive action sequences, numerous laugh-out-loud moments, and potentially a record-breaking number of Easter eggs across any cinematic universe. (Read more .)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the most enjoyable Marvel Cinematic Universe films, this one boasts captivating characters, thrilling Spider-Man scenes, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man (which he performs). Aren’t you hooked? (Continue reading here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

As we reach the halfway mark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the original Guardians film served as a pivotal moment, showcasing Marvel’s ability to captivate audiences with characters that were relatively unknown in mainstream circles. Prior to James Gunn’s direction, the Guardians were merely an afterthought, but they transformed into a massive box office success beyond expectation. It is also indisputable, for the sake of discussion, that Rocket is the superior Guardian.

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Although the plot could use some tightening (as a whole war is condensed into a montage), Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America in this film stands out as one of the most impactful character adaptations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie transformed a hero often criticized for being uninteresting or outdated into a dynamic, appealing, multi-dimensional figure embodying essential human qualities. Perfect for when you’re seeking inspiration, this MCU film is not to be missed. (Source: [read more here])

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for deep connections with the cosmos, “Black Panther” demonstrates the merit of a more isolated strategy. The closing scene of the film, where Black Panther decides to reveal Wakanda to the world and its characters become available for future appearances, is intended as a joyous finale. However, if this decision leads to a sequel that becomes more scattered with numerous guest appearances, it might not be such a happy ending after all. (Read more here.)

2. The Avengers

Despite the epic events that unfolded in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie continues to amaze as if it were an extraordinary, almost unbelievable achievement. Each character is artfully balanced, the dialogue is concise, and the climactic Battle of New York remains among the most remarkable action sequences of recent times. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

The original movie remains unmatched in greatness to this day. Looking back, not being tied to a broader universe allowed it to excel as a film. The scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s character Tony Stark tests his armor and takes flight for the first time convey the excitement of superpowers more effectively than any other movie ever made by Marvel or anyone else in terms of cinematic history. (Read more here.)

Read More

2025-03-26 20:56