Alan Cumming Finds Healing Reprising Nightcrawler in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Actor Alan Cumming has shared how reprising his role as Nightcrawler in the upcoming Russo brothers’ film, Avengers: Doomsday, brought him a sense of healing after a challenging experience filming 2003’s X2: X-Men United. Speaking at the Televerse 2025 conference, the 60-year-old actor described his return to the Marvel character as “ooey, gooey… really healing” and “really nice”. The film, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Six, is slated for release in May 2026.

– Actor Alan Cumming described his recent experience filming “Avengers: Doomsday” as “really healing” after his unpleasant experience working on 2003’s X2: X-Men United. Cumming has previously shared his struggles with the extensive makeup process and directorial difficulties faced when playing Nightcrawler in the X-Men sequel.

– Despite turning 60, Cumming relished his return to the world of superhero stunts, emphasizing a more positive atmosphere on the Doomsday set. He also teased a potential fight scene between his character Nightcrawler and Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic.

– The ambitious cast of “Avengers: Doomsday,” set to release in May 2026, includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, and dozens of other renowned actors.

Alan Cumming has discussed the healing effect his role as Nightcrawler in Avengers: Doomsday had on him, following a difficult time filming X2: X-Men United in 2003.

Speaking at the Televerse 2025 conference, Cumming told People he had just completed working on the eagerly-awaited film Doomsday, directed by the Russo brothers and scheduled for a May 2026 release in cinemas.

Commenting on his recent return to the character, Cumming expressed how unexpectedly beneficial the experience was. “I came back recently. It was splendid. Oddly enough, in a gently soothing way, it was quite therapeutic and pleasant to revisit something that was previously a dreadful encounter,” said Cumming. He added that despite the previous issues, he appreciated the film, calling it a “great film” twice.

The host of Traitors has not held back in the past about his struggles while filming the X-Men sequel in 2003, including spending up to five hours in makeup each day to achieve the blue-skinned mutant look. He also mentioned issues with director Bryan Singer. Regardless, Cumming felt it was incredibly positive to reprise his role for Doomsday.

Particularly surprising for him was the physical demands despite his age. “I am 60 years old. I did not anticipate performing stunts or playing a superhero at this age. It was fantastic,” he explained. He further mentioned filming his scenes quickly due to his commitment to The Traitors and valued the support from staff and coordination during filming.

While there are limited details about the sixth stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Cumming did tease a possible showdown with Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic.

The Avengers: Doomsday boasts a notable cast list featuring actors such as 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.