Ian McKellen understands how the press works and how spoilers operate, and that is precisely why his one casual remark has the Marvel fans in a frenzy. As he pondered the possibility of reuniting with Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, the iconic actor made a throwaway comment.
However, that small comment suggested that Magneto would leave a huge imprint on the MCU, particularly in New Jersey. And yes, he knew at once that he might have said too much.
Ian McKellen Reflects On Reuniting With Robert Downey Jr. For ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
At 86, McKellen is officially reprising the role of Magneto in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, his first appearance as the iconic mutant in the X-Men era. He recently gave a glowing review of the idea of working with Robert Downey Jr. again.
“To be back with him on this, and he, of course, was a changed man, but inside the same little boy who I’d been so charmed by,” he told JakesTakesTV.
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That remark was sufficient to kindle excitement. Downey’s part in ‘Doomsday’ has already been much conjectured upon. To hear McKellen speak of common scenes was like pouring oil upon the fire.
It feels like a full-circle history: two giant performers, both of them cornerstones of various eras of superhero, are now clashing in what Marvel is setting up as its next huge crossover event. However, McKellen went still farther.
Ian McKellen’s Casual Comment Might’ve Revealed A Massive ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Set Piece
As McKellen recounted the practical effects employed in the initial X-Men movies, he compared them with the current CGI effects, and then dropped a bombshell. “Nowadays, I think these will become a little bit easier,” he said, before adding, “though I did destroy New Jersey the other day.” The silence that followed spoke volumes. “Oooh, I perhaps shouldn’t have said that,” McKellen quickly added, laughing, but the damage was already done.
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When interpreted literally (and with Marvel, it frequently must be), this implies that Magneto can be the cause of a massive disaster in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. New Jersey is not a coincidental place either; it is near key MCU sites and would be a crushing blow to prove Magneto’s strength in this shared universe. It is yet to be determined whether McKellen ruined a major action set piece or was talking loosely.
However, Marvel fans are aware that when actors slip something, it is nothing. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is released on December 18, 2026, and in case Magneto actually does destroy a portion of the East Coast, this reunion will not be just a nostalgic one; it will be disastrous in the best Marvel fashion.
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