Famke Janssen is not expected to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. Despite the massive wave of nostalgia-mining Marvel is doing for the 2026 crossover, the actress who defined Jean Grey for a generation has been clear in recent interviews: she isn’t part of this specific multiversal reunion. While the MCU is currently obsessed with bringing back legacy heavy hitters, Janssen appears to be sitting this round out.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to drop in 2026 with the Russo Brothers returning to direct and Robert Downey Jr. making a massive comeback as Doctor Doom. However, Famke Janssen has confirmed she is not involved, meaning fans of the original X-Men trilogy shouldn't expect a Phoenix cameo. For parents, this is a good time to talk about "cameo culture" and how modern movies use nostalgia to drive hype.
Marvel is currently in its "break glass in case of emergency" era. After a few years of mixed results at the box office, the strategy for Avengers: Doomsday is clear: bring back the people the audience already loves. That’s why the Russo Brothers are back in the director's chairs and why Robert Downey Jr. is pivoting from Iron Man to Doctor Doom.
When a movie starts pulling from the "Multiverse," every actor who ever wore spandex in the early 2000s starts getting phone calls. We saw it work in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine. Naturally, fans assumed Janssen’s Jean Grey—the emotional core of the original X-Men films—would be a lock. But based on her recent press comments, she isn't interested in the "once more with feeling" approach right now.
If your kids are deep-diving into the Marvel back catalog on Disney+, they’ve likely encountered the original X-Men (2000) and X2: X-Men United. Janssen’s Jean Grey was the first time many of us saw a high-stakes, tragic superhero arc on screen.
For kids today, the "Phoenix" is a legendary power level. They know it from Fortnite skins or comic book lore. Seeing the original actress return would have been a massive bridge between the movies you grew up with and the ones they’re obsessed with now. Without her, the movie loses a bit of that "original team" DNA, but it leaves more room for the newer X-Men iterations or the Fantastic Four to take center stage.
Since the movie is still on the horizon, the "knowns" are a short but intense list. Here is the deal:
- The Villain: Robert Downey Jr. is playing Victor von Doom. This is the biggest swing Marvel has taken in years. It’s confusing for kids who know him as Tony Stark, so expect a lot of "wait, is he a twin?" questions.
- The Directors: The Russo Brothers, who handled Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, are back to manage the chaos. This usually means a faster pace and higher stakes.
- The Cast: Expect the Fantastic Four to play a major role. While Janssen is out, the rumor mill for other legacy cameos is still churning at full speed.
Modern blockbusters are increasingly built on "The Reveal"—that moment where a character from twenty years ago walks on screen and the theater erupts. It’s fun, but it can also be a bit of a cheap trick that replaces actual storytelling.
If your kid is disappointed that the "real" Phoenix isn't showing up, use it as a way to talk about how movies are made. You can explain that sometimes actors want to move on to new projects, or that a story can become too cluttered when it tries to include everyone. It’s a great lesson in intentional curation—just because you can put every character in one movie doesn't mean you should.
The biggest friction point for Avengers: Doomsday isn't going to be the violence (which will likely be standard PG-13 superhero fare) but the complexity.
If your kid hasn't kept up with the Disney+ shows or the last five movies, they are going to be lost. This isn't a standalone story; it's the culmination of a dozen different plot threads. If you're planning a theater trip, maybe do a "previously on" recap or check out our best family movies list for some lower-stakes options.
Q: Is Famke Janssen in Avengers: Doomsday? No. Famke Janssen has stated in interviews that she is not involved in the film and is currently not interested in returning to the role of Jean Grey for this specific project.
Q: Who is playing Jean Grey in the new Avengers movie? As of now, there is no confirmed Jean Grey for Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel may choose to use the younger version of the character played by Sophie Turner, or they may skip the character entirely to focus on the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom.
Q: What is the release date for Avengers: Doomsday? The movie is currently scheduled to hit theaters in May 2026.
Q: Do I need to see the old X-Men movies before Doomsday? While not strictly required, Marvel is leaning heavily into its history. Watching the original X-Men and X-Men: Days of Future Past will help kids understand why people are so hyped about potential cameos.
Famke Janssen's absence might be a letdown for OG fans, but Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be a Robert Downey Jr. showcase above all else. If your kid is a Marvel fanatic, they’ll be there for the spectacle regardless of who is in the Phoenix suit.
- Catch up on the lore with our guide to the MCU timeline.
- Looking for a superhero fix that doesn't require a homework assignment? Check out our best movies for kids list.
- Ask our chatbot about other 2026 movie releases
