The excitement surrounding ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ continues to mount, especially as more announcements surface about its massive multiversal cast, the return of Robert Downey Jr., and the Russo Brothers’ involvement.
However, buried within the speculation and casting rumors lies a golden opportunity. It’s an opportunity that could right a long-standing wrong in Marvel’s cinematic history. The MCU could finally do Rogue justice, which Fox couldn’t do.
Fox’s X-Men Never Gave Rogue The Spotlight She Deserved
Though not yet officially confirmed to appear in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, Rogue’s return, especially one portrayed with her full comic-accurate power set, could finally redeem the character after two decades of missed potential in the Fox X-Men franchise. And with multiversal storytelling now in full force in the MCU, ‘Doomsday’ could be the perfect moment to introduce the Rogue that fans want.
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When X-Men hit theaters in 2000, Anna Paquin’s Rogue was positioned as a central figure in the narrative. While this approach worked to ground the movie, it came at a high cost: Rogue’s true potential was muted. In the comics, Rogue isn’t just a scared teenager struggling with uncontrollable powers. She’s a powerhouse.
After permanently absorbing the abilities of Ms. Marvel Rogue gains superhuman strength, flight, and near-invulnerability. That version of Rogue is bold, complex, and compelling. It showcases her as a fierce woman grappling with trauma and strength in equal measure. But that’s not the Rogue we got in the Fox films. Instead, she was portrayed as timid, tragic, and too often sidelined.
Her powers were portrayed almost exclusively as a burden, making her more of a narrative device than a hero in her own right. By the time ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ came around, Rogue had been reduced to little more than a background character. They even “cured” her powers altogether. It was a disheartening arc for a character so beloved in the comics and animated series.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Could Be Rogue’s Moment To Shine
With ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ reportedly bringing together heroes and teams from across the multiverse to take on Doctor Doom, the opportunity to include the X-Men is not only plausible, it’s expected. And if Marvel is going to reintroduce these characters, Rogue should be at the top of the list. Even better, ‘Doomsday’ has the perfect narrative framework to finally give Rogue her full comic-accurate powers.
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Through multiversal variants, the MCU can introduce a version of Rogue who has already absorbed a variant of Carol Danvers’ powers. This version of Rogue wouldn’t need a long-winded origin story; she could simply arrive as the powerhouse mutant that fans adore. The MCU has already laid the groundwork for this redemption. In 2024, ‘X-Men ‘97’ aired on Disney+ and was met with critical acclaim.
That show, a spiritual successor to ‘X-Men: The Animated Series’, depicted Rogue in her full glory. Fans watched her grieve the loss of Gambit, wrestle with a vengeance, and literally rip a Sentinel apart mid-air. That’s the Rogue we need on the big screen. That’s the Rogue that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ can deliver. Additionally, Marvel could use another strong, emotionally complex female hero.
With Black Widow gone and Carol Danvers’ future uncertain, a revitalized Rogue could fill a major gap in the MCU’s landscape. For fans who have loved Rogue since her animated adventures or comic book arcs, her treatment in the Fox X-Men films has long been a sore spot. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ offers a chance to finally make things right.
