The Main Way Avengers: Doomsday Really Needs To Do Right By X-Men’s Cyclops

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe constantly keeps audiences engaged with new movies and shows on Disney+. One of the most eagerly awaited upcoming films is Avengers: Doomsday, promising a massive cast of characters. Notably, it will include several original actors from the X-Men films, like James Marsden, and many fans, including myself, hope this film will finally give his character, Cyclops, the compelling storyline he deserves.

Details about the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday are scarce, so fans are speculating about the plot and characters. The recently revealed cast list confirms the return of several popular mutants, and I hope Cyclops has a more compelling storyline this time around.

Cyclops Didn’t Get To Be Badass Enough In The Original X-Men Trilogy

The recent teaser for Doomsday showed a great moment for James Marsden’s Cyclops, who unleashed a powerful optic blast while wearing a costume that looked straight out of the comics. This got me excited, because I always felt the character wasn’t quite done justice in the original X-Men movies. Many fans, myself included, were hoping to see a more faithful adaptation of the beloved mutant.

Although Cyclops is a powerful character in the comics, James Marsden didn’t really get to shine in the first three X-Men movies. His storyline often revolved around a love triangle with Jean Grey and Wolverine, rather than showcasing his abilities as a leader. He was captured early in X2 and quickly killed off in The Last Stand without even getting a chance to fight, and he didn’t have much to do in the first movie either. Overall, fans never really got to see Cyclops reach his full potential.

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The new animated series, X-Men ’97, really highlights how different Cyclops is in the comics compared to the live-action movies. The show kicks off with a fantastic fight against the Sentinels, and it gives us the most impressive depiction of Scott Summers’ powers yet. We see him skillfully using his optic blasts not just for attacks, but also for maneuvering – like cushioning his falls and propelling himself across the battlefield while saving Sunspot. Plus, the show portrays him as a strong fighter up close, something James Marsden wasn’t really able to demonstrate in the X-Men films.

I don’t fault the actor, Marsden, at all – he’s great and really embodies Cyclops. The problem wasn’t his performance, but rather the story’s direction and what the visual effects could achieve. This held him back from showcasing how powerful and cool the character could be. However, the recent Doomsday trailer showed a glimpse of Cyclops using a truly impressive optic blast, and I’m hoping that means he’ll finally get the chance to shine in future installments.

You’ll find out everything when Avengers: Doomsday comes out in theaters on December 18th, 2026.

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2026-01-25 19:11