One comment by Ian McKellen was sufficient to send Marvel fans into a frenzy. Overnight speculation went wild when the legendary actor casually hinted that he had destroyed New Jersey during the filming of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.
Was Magneto on the verge of causing havoc on a whole new scale? Well, not exactly.
Marvel Corrects Big ‘Doomsday’ Rumor
It is not surprising that there is a buzz surrounding McKellen’s return. And, frankly, it is the sort of crossover that fans have long dreamed of when they see him reprise Magneto’s role, this time in the MCU. When he alluded to mass destruction, therefore, it was like an assurance that the Apocalypse would be a full-on spectacle.
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However, that particular fact is not exactly true, according to Joe Russo. The director was quick to point out that McKellen probably misspoke, eliminating the notion that Magneto destroys a whole state. “I think he might’ve misspoke… I don’t think he destroys New Jersey,” he told EW.
In the meantime, Kevin Feige provided a less enthusiastic tease, only confirming that there is some sort of New Jersey presence in the movie. It is a typical Marvel trick to bring fans back to the point where the secret is safe. And, frankly, it does. The correction does not kill the hype; it refocuses it.
Magneto Won’t Destroy New Jersey, So What Is The MCU Hiding?
Although there is no city-leveling scene, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is already developing into one of the most ambitious MCU entries to date. The movie will explore the depths of multiversal conflict with Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., at the center. And that is where McKellen’s Magneto comes in.
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He is not merely a returning character, but an entire era of Marvel storytelling now coming into conflict with the MCU. His appearance, together with other recognizable faces of the original X-Men movies, is an indication that Marvel is not afraid to look back on its history.
Feige has made it clear what he wants to achieve: unite several generations of heroes in a manner that is not only glamorous but meaningful. That’s a tough balance to strike. Fans desire jaw-dropping moments, of course, but they desire emotional payoff. They desire these characters to count.
The interesting part is the way in which Marvel is deciding to unveil all this. They are not putting it all on the table, but are letting bits of information fall, sometimes unintentionally, sometimes not. It generates a continuous tension between anticipation and actuality. No, it is unlikely that Magneto is destroying New Jersey. But that makes it even more interesting.
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