Avengers: Doomsday Cast Photo Teams up X-Men Star With Marvel’s Phase 4 Hero

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A new behind-the-scenes update has confirmed that Avengers: Doomsday is deep into production as cast members continue intensive training. A recent photo of James Marsden and Simu Liu sparked fan excitement, showing the two Marvel stars preparing together for their roles. The image comes after months of speculation about the film’s expanding cast and crossover storylines.

James Marsden and Simu Liu train together in Avengers: Doomsday cast photo

A photo shared by celebrity physical therapist Dr. Ethan-Ira Mamuric (@thebodymechanic.dpt) showed Simu Liu and James Marsden at an indoor padel court alongside padel player Eloise Tait. The image featured the caption, “I know the back wall in padel hates to see us coming,” and quickly went viral online.

Photo Credit: @thebodymechanic.dpt

Simu Liu returns as Shang-Chi. James Marsden reprises his role as Scott Summers, aka Cyclops. Marsden last appeared in the role in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Avengers: Doomsday will mark the first time Cyclops and Shang-Chi share the screen in the MCU.

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Marvel confirmed Marsden’s involvement during the Doomsday casting announcement stunt. The reveal also included the return of original X-Men actors Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Kelsey Grammer, and Rebecca Romijn.

Avengers: Doomsday began filming in April at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England. Marvel is also reportedly filming at Windsor Great Park. The film brings together characters from various Marvel teams, including the Avengers, the X-Men, the new Fantastic Four, and the Thunderbolts. Confirmed cast members include Paul Rudd, Chris Hemsworth, Letitia Wright, and Tom Hiddleston. Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom.

Marsden’s commitment to Doomsday may affect his availability for Season 2 of Paradise, a sci-fi series from Dan Fogelman in which he appeared in flashbacks. Fogelman told Collider that Marsden is currently “a busy man…he’s hard to get.”

Avengers: Doomsday will release on December 18, 2026. It will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for December 2027.