Simu Liu Teases Epic X-Men Team-Up in MCU's Avengers: Doomsday

Shang-Chi star Simu Liu is spilling some exciting (and hilarious) beans about his much-awaited return in Avengers: Doomsday, including potentially sharing scenes with iconic X-Men legends!

TL;DR: The Quick Hits You Need to Know

• Avengers: Doomsday is set to explode into theaters on December 18, 2026, marking the first live-action MCU team-up of the Avengers and X-Men.
• Simu Liu (Shang-Chi) hinted strongly at sharing scenes with original X-Men stars Sir Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Sir Ian McKellen (Magneto).
• Expect to see more classic X-Men reprising their roles, including Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), James Marsden (Cyclops), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), all facing off against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

Alright, Marvel fans, buckle up! We’ve been waiting since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame for the next big team-up movie, and it looks like Avengers: Doomsday is going to deliver that and then some. This isn't just another Avengers flick; it’s the monumental moment where Earth’s Mightiest Heroes finally clash with the X-Men in the MCU. And if recent comments from our beloved Shang-Chi, Simu Liu, are anything to go by, this movie is going to be absolutely wild.

Liu, who first graced our screens in 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has been a bit quiet on the main MCU front ever since. Fans (myself included!) have been wondering when Shang-Chi would make his grand return to the main timeline. Well, at New York Comic-Con 2025, Liu not only confirmed his return but also dished out some seriously exciting teases about the incredible cast he’s been working with. And yes, that includes some mutant royalty!

Simu Liu's Hilarious and Heartfelt Reaction to Joining the Doomsday Cast

When asked about getting the call to join the Avengers: Doomsday cast, Simu Liu started with a joke that many fans have been thinking for years: "It's about goddamn time!" He then quickly (and charmingly) reassured the audience he was kidding, before diving into a sincere explanation of his excitement. "I mean, what an incredible call to get," he shared, reflecting on the big Marvel Studios live-stream on March 26, 2025. He experienced "many waves of excitement" upon learning he was in, and then discovering who else would be joining the epic ensemble.

Liu emphasized the sheer caliber of the cast, calling each and every one of them "just iconic, iconic people." It sounds like the set of Doomsday was less like a workplace and more like a superhero convention, a sentiment many of us can only dream of experiencing. The excitement radiating from him about this project is truly contagious, promising a film that’s been worth the long wait for Shang-Chi’s return and the ultimate superhero crossover.

A Dream Team Unites: MCU Heroes Meet Mutant Legends from X-Men

The biggest bombshell from Liu’s interview concerned the legendary X-Men actors he’s had the pleasure of working alongside. Thanks to Disney's acquisition of Fox, Marvel Studios now has full access to the mutants, and they’re not holding back. We're talking about the original, beloved actors stepping back into their iconic roles, creating a generational cinematic event.

Liu openly confirmed that "Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart" are part of the cast – people he grew up watching and idolizing. Can you even imagine Shang-Chi possibly sharing a scene with Magneto and Professor X? The implications for the Multiverse Saga are absolutely massive. But the X-Men star power doesn't stop there!

• Sir Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Sir Ian McKellen as Magneto
• Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
• James Marsden as Cyclops
• Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler (his first return since 2003's X2!)
• Channing Tatum as Gambit (following his debut in 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine, though he wasn't in the original X-Men films)

This isn't just a handful of cameos; this is a significant reintroduction of beloved mutant characters into the fabric of the MCU. And it's not just the X-Men. The film also brings in the Fantastic Four cast, with Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, alongside MCU veterans like Chris Hemsworth's Thor.

And let’s not forget the big bad of the film: Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly headlining Avengers: Doomsday as the nefarious Doctor Doom! Imagine this powerhouse ensemble facing off against one of Marvel’s most formidable villains. It's a fan's dream come true, promising a truly epic confrontation that could reshape the entire MCU.

"I think this is public now, but like Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, just people who I grew up watching and idolizing. And then having gotten maybe, maybe having gotten the opportunity to do scenes with them at some point. That may or may not have been even better — would be something that I maybe would say if I was in the movie." — Simu Liu on working with X-Men legends

Shang-Chi's Potential Shared Scenes and the "Spandex Playground" Experience

While Liu remained playfully coy, echoing the "Andrew Garfield denying Spider-Man: No Way Home" vibes, his hints about sharing scenes with the X-Men veterans were pretty strong. He repeatedly used words like "maybe" and "may or may not have been," but the underlying excitement made it clear that some incredible cross-franchise interactions are on the horizon.

He perfectly captured the magic of being on set, describing it as "turning on your TV on a Saturday morning" and being "in a playground." He spoke of the surreal experience of working alongside actors he grew up watching, all of them "wearing spandex" and playing "make believe." This genuine fan-boy excitement from one of our current heroes truly highlights the unique nature of this film.

The thought of Shang-Chi, a master of martial arts and wielder of the Ten Rings, potentially interacting with Professor X’s telepathy or Magneto’s magnetic powers is enough to send shivers down any Marvel fan’s spine. These are the crossover moments we've been craving for years, and it sounds like Doomsday is ready to deliver them in spades.

Why Avengers: Doomsday Will Be Absolutely Worth Every Single Penny

Simu Liu wrapped up his enthusiastic comments by reassuring fans that the wait, and indeed the cost of admission, for Avengers: Doomsday will be well worth it. He described reading the script pages and thinking, "I'd pay $20 to see that scene." He even playfully added, "I'd pay $20 to see those two people fight. And those two people make out," before clarifying he was just kidding (or was he?!).

Directed by the phenomenal Anthony and Joe Russo, the same masterminds who brought us Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Doomsday is in incredibly capable hands. The Russos are also set to helm the subsequent installment, Avengers: Secret Wars, indicating a grand, interconnected vision for the culmination of The Multiverse Saga.

After a period of ups and downs for the Multiverse Saga, Simu Liu's palpable excitement for Doomsday feels like a much-needed boost of confidence for fans. This film is positioned to be a pivotal moment, a true cinematic event that unites generations of Marvel heroes and villains. The sheer scale, the nostalgic returns, and the promise of mind-blowing action suggest that December 2026 can't come fast enough.

So, get ready to mark your calendars, because Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be more than just a movie; it’s going to be an experience. An experience that, according to Simu Liu, is definitely worth the wait and every single cent for that movie ticket!

Frequently Asked Questions About Avengers: Doomsday

When does Avengers: Doomsday come out in theaters? Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Which X-Men characters and actors are confirmed to appear in the movie? The film will feature the return of original X-Men stars Sir Ian McKellen (Magneto), Sir Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), James Marsden (Cyclops), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler). Channing Tatum's Gambit, who debuted in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), is also confirmed to appear. Who are the directors behind Avengers: Doomsday? The highly anticipated film is directed by the acclaimed duo Anthony and Joe Russo, known for their work on previous MCU blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Will Avengers: Doomsday be available to stream on Disney+ immediately? No, like most major MCU theatrical releases, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to have an exclusive theatrical run before becoming available on Disney+ a few months later. An exact streaming date will likely be announced closer to the film's release.

Sources:

• ScreenRant - "Simu Liu Reveals Which Original X-Men Stars He Worked With For Avengers: Doomsday"
• CinemaBlend - "Simu Liu's Comments About The Avengers: Doomsday Cast Made Me Even More Hyped For The New MCU Movie"
• Fiction Horizon - "Simu Liu Hints Shang-Chi Will Share Scenes With This Iconic X-Men in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’"
• CBR - "Simu Liu's Hilarious Response To His Shang-Chi Return In Avengers: Doomsday Is So Accurate"