As ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ edges closer to becoming Marvel Studios’ most ambitious crossover yet, the excitement isn’t just about heroes assembling; it’s about history colliding. The long-awaited merger of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Fox’s X-Men is finally coming to fruition.
While some of the mutant returns have already been hinted at, there is a new report that one of the most iconic X-Men characters of all time is also making a silent comeback to the limelight. This time, the hint was not given by a leaked casting call or an overenthusiastic extra. Instead, it came from a voice deeply tied to the soul of the X-Men themselves, legendary comic writer Chris Claremont.
What A Jean Grey Return Would Mean For ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
In a recent episode of the Power of X-Men podcast, Claremont responded to the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ teaser that affirmed the reappearance of several actors in the X-Men movies of Fox. In the middle of his applause, he made a throwaway comment that instantly ignited the internet: that Marvel was bringing back “the original cast, including Famke.” That single word, Famke, was enough. One of the most iconic characters of the original X-Men trilogy is Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey.
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Her journey, as a strong mutant and a tragic Phoenix, defined the emotional foundation of the early superhero movies. Should she actually be a part of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, it would be an indication that Marvel is trying to pay tribute not only to the characters, but to the legacy of a whole era. The most interesting part of the comment made by Claremont is his track record.
He publicly confirmed in April 2025 that Chris Evans would be back in the MCU, several months before Marvel officially announced Evans’ return. Most people at the time dismissed it as conjecture. History, however, was to show otherwise. Marvel Studios has not commented on the recent statement of Claremont, yet silence is common for the studios. When dealing with a franchise that is founded on secrets, misdirection, and NDAs, a lack of confirmation can be louder than a refusal.
Famke Janssen Previously Denied Any Involvement In ‘Doomsday’
Adding to the intrigue is Famke Janssen’s own stance. The actress, in an interview in 2025, denied any knowledge of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, claiming that she was not part of it and that the comic book world was never her world. That sounds conclusive on the surface. But old school Marvel fans know better. Denial of participation by actors has become almost a ritual in the MCU. Andrew Garfield notoriously refused to admit to appearing in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ until the moment he appeared on screen.
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Tatiana Maslany once made a joke that she did not even know that she was playing She-Hulk. NDAs are like steel, and ambiguous or evasive responses are usually the way actors go when guarding huge surprises. And there is the bigger story context. At CinemaCon 2025, Kevin Feige himself affirmed that ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ continues to have numerous unannounced characters and actors. That confession in itself is an open door policy to the unexpected returns.
