Nightcrawler is making his comeback in Marvel Studios' forthcoming movie, Avengers: Doomsday. Alan Cumming, who originally played the character in X2: X-Men United in 2003, is returning to the role after over 20 years. His comeback signifies an important crossover point as the X-Men integrate into the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie, succeeding Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, is scheduled to premiere in 2026 and features well-known characters from across the MCU.In a conversation with People magazine published August 17, 2025, Cumming talked about reprising the mantle of the blue-skinned superhero."I just came back. It was amazing. It was actually really… in a sort of ooey, gooey way, it was really healing and really nice to go back to something that it was a terrible experience when I did it the first time," he said.He further talked about how he felt playing Nightcrawler at the age of 60."It was actually really great to go back. And 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 added.Cumming characterized the journey of returning to Nightcrawler as therapeutic and voiced appreciation for the chance to reengage with a role he initially portrayed during a much different period in his life.Although specifics of his role in Avengers: Doomsday are not revealed, initial reports indicate that the character will play a significant role and could be featured alongside many of the film's main heroes. Marvel Studios may not have disclosed the complete extent of Nightcrawler’s role, but excitement regarding his return has increased among fans gradually since the announcement made earlier this year.Alan Cumming on returning as Nightcrawler View this post on Instagram Instagram PostIn the interview, Alan Cumming admitted that he was "miserable" playing Nightcrawler in 2003's X2: X-Men United. He said that spending long hours in the makeup chair, sometimes up to five hours each day, and creative tensions with director Bryan Singer, all added to why the experience was not something he looked back on fondly.He also wrote about his struggles filming X2: X-Men United in his memoir Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life. He described the entire experience as "awful for a variety of reasons" and noted that it shaped how he felt about superhero films at the time.However, Alan Cumming explained that for Avengers: Doomsday, the filming schedule was shorter, the makeup process quicker, and the overall environment more supportive. He also added that at 60 years old, being asked to return as a superhero felt unexpected but rewarding."It's been a blast. It really has," he said to People magazine. "It's been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map. It was the first real event project that I was ever a part of and a very beloved character, this icon from the comics."Nightcrawler's role in Avengers: DoomsdayAlan Cumming as Nightcrawler, ready to attack in X2: X-Men United (Image via Disney+)In a May 7, 2025, interview with BuzzFeed UK, Alan Cumming hinted at a fight sequence involving Nightcrawler and Pedro Pascal's character in Avengers: Doomsday. He joked about the challenges of learning choreography at 60 years old, saying he could not believe he was back doing stunts more than two decades later.Pascal will appear in the MCU film as Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic. Cumming said he was told he would be "hitting Pedro Pascal against the head" during one scene.IGN reported on August 13, 2025, that Nightcrawler may appear in his classic red-and-black comic costume in Avengers: Doomsday. This speculation was based on Cumming sharing behind-the-scenes images on social media, including a box design featuring the comic-accurate look. The design also matches Nightcrawler’s appearance in the animated series X-Men ’97.Nightcrawler in Marvel's larger universeHalle Berry as Storm stands beside Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler in a scene from X2: X-Men United (Image via Disney+)Nightcrawler's presence in Avengers: Doomsday emphasizes Marvel Studios' larger strategy to bring together the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. Kevin Feige announced that all three groups of superheroes will appear together on screen for the first time in the upcoming Avengers movie.Alan Cumming's comeback occurs 22 years after he first portrayed Kurt Wagner, ranking it among the longest intervals between superhero roles in Marvel history. For longtime enthusiasts, this acts as a connection linking various periods of Marvel cinema.Nightcrawler, known as Kurt Wagner, made his debut in Marvel Comics in 1975's Giant-Size X-Men #1. In the comics, Nightcrawler is frequently portrayed as a deeply religious figure who grapples with his outward appearance yet stays true to his principles. His belief, nimbleness, and abilities have established him as a significant character in X-Men arcs like The Dark Phoenix Saga and God Loves, Man Kills.In the movies, the character debuted in live action in X2: X-Men United, portrayed by Alan Cumming as a talented fighter and a character with significant moral complexity. A younger version of the character was subsequently brought back in, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, in X-Men: Apocalypse, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, and Deadpool 2.What to expect from Avengers: Doomsday?Robert Downey Jr. attends the Marvel Studios Panel in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California, on July 27, 2024 (Image via Getty)Avengers: Doomsday is set to premiere on May 1, 2026. Helmed by the Russo brothers, the movie will advance Marvel's multiverse narrative. Reports indicate that the film will feature characters from both the Avengers and X-Men, with the Fantastic Four also participating. Marvel has confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. will portray Victor Von Doom, positioning Doctor Doom as the main antagonist for the narrative.The movie will feature a vast cast, with Anthony Mackie portraying Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes. From the X-Men side, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Kelsey Grammer are back, representing one of the franchise's largest reunions.In the People magazine interview, Cumming stated he had "just finished" filming his scenes in August 2025. He also mentioned that he liked collaborating with the stunt crew, clarifying that a significant portion of his work was compressed into brief shoots with green screen arrangements, enabling him to film even with scheduling issues.Alan Cumming's return as Nightcrawler in Avengers: Doomsday adds another layer to the MCU's growing multiverse saga. His reflections show how different the experience has been compared to his time on X2. With Avengers: Doomsday set to arrive in May 2026, audiences will soon see how the blue-skinned superhero connects with the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and the X-Men on screen.