Robert Downey Jr. revealed that the cast of Avengers: Doomsday experienced overwhelming excitement on set following the return of original X-Men actors Kelsey Grammer and Rebecca Romijn.
The actors reprise their legacy roles in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, scheduled for theatrical release on December 18, 2026.
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Grammer returns as the blue-furred mutant Beast, while Romijn reprises her role as the blue-skinned shapeshifter Mystique.
They join classic X-Men cast members Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, and Alan Cumming in the crossover event.
Downey described the cast's reaction upon learning about the return of the original franchise stars, highlighting the creative impact their presence brought to the production team.
"It was a big moment, you and Kelsey being back," said Downey. "I have to say, we nerved out."
While withholding specific plot details regarding their roles in the top-secret storyline, Downey noted that the veteran actors injected fresh enthusiasm into the overall project.
"Their presence on set lit up this constellation of excitement. It's just incredible," he said.
Grammer last portrayed Beast in a major capacity two decades ago in the 2006 feature X-Men: The Last Stand, which marked the conclusion of the original trilogy.
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"I love the character.
I have this sense of this kind of nobility about him that he carries himself with, a deep respect for all life," Grammer said.
