‘Avengers: Doomsday’ might just bring back major villain as ‘X-Men’ star reveals huge Magneto spoiler

Ian McKellen may have just spoiled one bit of 'Avengers: Doomsday'
PUBLISHED FEB 3, 2026
Ian McKellen as Magneto in a still from 'Avengers: Doomsday' (Cover image credit: YouTube | Marvel Studios)
Ian McKellen as Magneto in a still from 'Avengers: Doomsday' (Cover image credit: YouTube | Marvel Studios)

Sir Ian McKellen may have spoiled a part of 'Avengers: Doomsday' for the Marvel faithful. The third mini-teaser confirmed his return alongside Patrick Stewart's Professor X and James Marsden's Cyclops. In his recent interview, however, the 86-year-old who plays Magneto seemingly revealed a bit about his role.

Speaking to entertainment journalist Jake Hamilton, "The first film, I remember the camera behind me, my hands raised, and as they did that, two motorcars, police cars in front of me were raised by cranes," McKellen said, while he and Hamilton discussed his memories playing the major villain Magneto in the X-Men franchise. "And when I signaled by dropping my hands, the cars dropped. These were not special effects."

He added, "Nowadays, I think these will become a little bit easier — though I did destroy New Jersey the other day," he said. "Oooh, I perhaps shouldn't have said that," McKellen immediately added after his shock reveal. This essentially establishes him as still one of the strongest mutants in the MCU. Previously, he played the antagonist in six films staring with 'X-Men' in 2000. He reprises his role for the first time since 2014. There is no official plotline yet for 'Doomsday,' and while the leaks put out multiple theories, including Magneto's role, there isn't anything confirmed just yet.

McKellen also shed light on his take on Magneto. "I thought he was the villain, but no, I think people rather like his attitude," he said. "It was fun working with all those younger actors who were so confident about the parts they played in many, many, many other movies. Patrick [Stewart] and I came in as old-timers, but they were very respectful and allowed us to have comfortable seats and so on."

'Doomsday' also stars Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, alongside Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing, and Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. Also returning are Florence Pugh as White Widow, Kelsey Grammer as the Beast, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, Danny Ramirez as Falcon, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Winston Duke as M'Baku, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki.

'Avengers: Doomsday' releases in cinemas on 18 December.

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