James Marsden Teases Cyclops’ Comic-Accurate Return In AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

James Marsden is officially stepping back into the role of Cyclops, and his return in Avengers: Doomsday is already shaping up to be a nostalgic yet refreshed take on the iconic X-Men leader.

During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor opened up about what it’s like to suit up again, this time with a look that leans much closer to the comics than the original films ever did. Reflecting on the early 2000s era of X-Men, Marsden didn’t hold back when describing the challenges of those now-infamous black leather suits.

“The first movies, we were just in black leather … they were very tight, very restrictive. We couldn’t move,” Marsden said of the costume difference. “Hugh [Jackman] and I had to jump over a little retaining wall outside the Statue of Liberty, and we both were tripping over it.”

That experience makes the updated design for Doomsday feel like a major upgrade. “To put this on felt very cool … felt very proud,” Marsden shared, highlighting how the new suit better captures the the character. Still, not everything about the look is practical! He admitted the visor continues to limit his visibility, adding a familiar challenge to stepping back into Scott Summers’ shoes.

Marsden first brought Cyclops to life in 2000’s X-Men, returning for X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand, before making a brief appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Now, his comeback in the MCU marks a full-circle moment for both the actor and longtime fans.

Avengers: Doomsday is set to finally fold the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe following The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019. Marsden won’t be alone either, as fellow franchise veterans Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, and Rebecca Romijn are all set to reprise their roles, bringing a wave of legacy characters into Marvel’s next major chapter.

Source: Jimmy Kimmel Live!