Alan Cumming Says Returning as Nightcrawler in 'Avengers: Doomsday' Was 'Healing' After X2 Experience
Alan Cumming is reflecting on his return to the Marvel universe, sharing that reprising his role as Nightcrawler in Avengers: Doomsday was a “healing” experience after the difficulties he faced during X2: X-Men United.
Alan Cumming reveals filming Avengers: Doomsday as Nightcrawler was a “healing” experience after challenges on 2003’s X2: X-Men United.
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett Collection
The actor recently spoke with People at the Televerse 2025 conference, confirming that he had just wrapped filming the Russo brothers’ upcoming Avengers installment, slated to premiere in theaters in May 2026.
Cumming explained that returning to the role was unexpectedly therapeutic after what he described as a “terrible experience” two decades ago. “It was actually really… in a sort of ooey, gooey way, it was really healing and really nice to go back to something that was a terrible experience when I did it the first time,” he said. “A great film, great film. I love the film.”
The actor has been candid in the past about why X2 was difficult, including the challenges of spending nearly five hours in makeup each day to achieve Nightcrawler’s signature look, as well as difficulties working with director Bryan Singer.
Cumming emphasized that the atmosphere was different on Avengers: Doomsday, calling it a much more positive experience. “Especially, I’m 60 years old. I did not think I would be doing stunts, playing a superhero in my 60s. So that was great,” he shared.
He also revealed that his shooting schedule was condensed due to commitments hosting The Traitors. His work on Doomsday was completed quickly through green screen setups and coordinated scenes, which he described as “pretty stealthy.”
Details about the plot remain tightly guarded, but Cumming previously teased that his Nightcrawler may face off against Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic.
The all-star cast of Avengers: Doomsday includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Letitia Wright, Simu Liu, Danny Ramirez, Winston Duke, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, among others.
