With Avengers: Doomsday now in production, speculation is rapidly growing about which heroes will appear. In particular, fans are curious if any former X-Men actors will return. Among the most discussed possibilities is whether Nicholas Hoult will reprise his role as Beast. After weeks of online buzz, the question of which actor returns for Avengers has finally been addressed. The DCU star has spoken out to clarify the Marvel rumors directly. This development has brought both clarity and a renewed focus on which legacy characters the MCU will actually bring back.
Nicholas Hoult Denies Marvel Return Rumors
Despite the ongoing hype, Nicholas Hoult has officially confirmed that he is not returning to the Marvel Universe. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he clarified that there have been no talks with Marvel Studios about reprising his role as Beast. Moreover, although he portrayed the character in four X-Men films between 2011 and 2019, Hoult made it clear that he is not part of the upcoming Avengers film. This confirmation puts an end to speculation about whether this particular actor returns for Avengers or not.
“Kelsey was a great Beast,” Hoult said. “He was the Beast I saw when I was a kid… I’m excited to see what they do with it.”
As a result, this statement clearly shuts down the possibility that Hoult — now cast as Lex Luthor in DC’s Superman (2025) — will return to the MCU anytime soon.
Classic X-Men Beast Actor Returns for Avengers Doomsday
Although Nicholas Hoult is out, fans can still celebrate the return of a classic version of Beast. In fact, Kelsey Grammer, who first portrayed Beast in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), is officially confirmed to reprise the role in Avengers: Doomsday.
Moreover, Grammer’s recent appearance in the post-credits scene of The Marvels (2023) strongly hinted at a larger role in the MCU’s future. As a result, his return marks a nostalgic and exciting addition to the multiversal narrative that Marvel is actively crafting.
Actor Returns for Avengers Multiverse Event
Grammer’s inclusion supports the larger theme of legacy characters returning to the Marvel fold. Other confirmed returning X-Men actors in Avengers: Doomsday include:
- Patrick Stewart as Professor X
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- James Marsden as Cyclops
As a result, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a grand reunion of past Marvel legends — even as some actors, like Hoult, choose not to return.
Nicholas Hoult’s DCU Future
Meanwhile, as Nicholas Hoult moves away from the Marvel universe, he is preparing to take on another iconic role in the world of comic book films. He is set to portray Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman reboot, scheduled for release on July 11, 2025. Nevertheless, despite transitioning to the DC Universe, Hoult conveyed his enthusiasm for Marvel’s multiversal direction, particularly the return of the original X-Men cast. He noted that those were the characters he grew up watching and expressed interest in how Marvel will reintroduce them into the evolving cinematic landscape.
“Those were the characters I got to watch in X-Men movies. It’ll be fun to see how they incorporate those characters into that world.”
When Does Avengers: Doomsday Release?
The next chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is already shaping up to be its most epic yet. Avengers: Doomsday will debut in theaters on December 18, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars following on December 17, 2027. As the multiverse saga continues to unfold, fans can expect emotional reunions, surprising cameos, and the return of beloved Marvel legends. Regardless of whether or not your favorite actor returns for Avengers, Marvel seems determined to celebrate its cinematic legacy with this ambitious project.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on MCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to Marvel Updates’ YouTube channel.
