Marsden Addresses Wolverine's Absence in Avengers: Doomsday

The X-Men actor discusses the dynamic between Cyclops and Wolverine and hints at the character's potential return in the sequel.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:20pm by Ben Kaplan

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In a recent interview, James Marsden, who is reprising his role as Cyclops in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film, addressed speculation about whether Hugh Jackman's Wolverine will be joining the X-Men cast in the movie. Marsden expressed that he 'loves the dynamic' between Cyclops and Wolverine, but indicated that the character may not be appearing in Doomsday, though he left the door open for a potential return in the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars.

Why it matters

Wolverine's absence from Avengers: Doomsday is notable, as the character has been a central figure in the X-Men franchise and his dynamic with Cyclops has been a key part of the team's storylines. Marsden's comments suggest the filmmakers may be saving Wolverine's return for a later installment, potentially to build anticipation and create a more impactful narrative moment.

The details

Marsden shared that while he 'loves Hugh Jackman' and the 'brotherly, healthy competition' between Cyclops and Wolverine, he 'wouldn't say that I was excited to slide into that role without him barking in my ear.' This strongly implies that Wolverine will not be appearing in Avengers: Doomsday, though Marsden did not definitively rule out the character's return in the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars.

  • Marsden's comments were made in a recent interview with ComicBook.

The players

James Marsden

An American actor who is reprising his role as Scott Summers/Cyclops in Avengers: Doomsday, having previously played the character in the X-Men film franchise.

Hugh Jackman

A renowned Australian actor who has famously portrayed the character of Wolverine in the X-Men film series, including a recent appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Avengers: Doomsday

The upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film that will feature a crossover between the Avengers and the X-Men characters from the previous Fox film franchise.

Avengers: Secret Wars

The sequel to Avengers: Doomsday that is expected to further explore the integration of the X-Men characters into the MCU.

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What they’re saying

“I love Hugh Jackman, and I love the dynamic between Wolverine and Cyclops. It was always a brotherly, healthy competition between the two of them, where they were annoyed with each other. It did feel like a brotherly relationship. I wouldn't say that I was excited to slide into that role without him barking in my ear. He was missed.”

— James Marsden, Actor

What’s next

Fans will have to wait and see if Wolverine makes an appearance in Avengers: Secret Wars, the sequel to Doomsday, as Marsden's comments suggest the character may be saved for a future installment.

The takeaway

The absence of Wolverine in Avengers: Doomsday, despite the inclusion of many other X-Men characters, highlights the filmmakers' strategic approach to integrating the iconic mutant into the larger MCU narrative. Marsden's comments suggest the character's return may be saved for a more impactful moment in a future film.