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Anthony Mackie Enthusiastic About Captain America and X-Men Crossover
Anthony Mackie has expressed eagerness to witness the merging of his Captain America character with the X-Men. As the rental and purchase of Mackie’s new film, Captain America: Brave New World, becomes available, he is set to embark on filming for Avengers: Doomsday. This particularly thrilling project is set to include not only Sam Wilson’s Avengers but also beloved X-Men characters from the franchise previously owned by 20th Century Fox, with many original actors reprising their roles.
Mackie elaborated, saying:
“Look, I am a big Cyclops fan. That’s my favorite X-Men. I have a Cyclops action figure on my key chain that I’ve had since high school. When I was in high school, the X-Men cartoon was really big, and this was before the movies. I’ve always been a huge Cyclops fan, and I’m really, really excited – hopefully, knock on wood – for them to be a part of it and come into it. [I’m excited] to hang out with Xavier and Beast and all those guys. But my favorite is Nightcrawler. If I can hang out with one character? Me and Nightcrawler in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras for two weeks, that’s what I do.”
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Comes With Some Great X-Pectations
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has indicated that Avengers: Doomsday will feature a collaborative effort among the Avengers and X-Men to confront the villain Doctor Doom, with additional support from The Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and the Wakandans. Fans, however, are also anticipating potential conflict between the Avengers and the X-Men, reminiscent of the classic 2012 comic series “Avengers vs. X-Men.” This storyline famously showcased a clash between Cyclops and Captain America, each leading their respective teams, providing a fertile ground for dramatic on-screen encounters between Mackie’s portrayal of Captain America and Marsden’s Cyclops.
Mackie’s admiration for the X-Men, particularly stemming from the early popularization of the franchise through X-Men: The Animated Series, highlights the series’ significant impact on the characters’ enduring legacy. The choice to include beloved figures like Cyclops, Gambit, Beast, and Professor X in Avengers: Doomsday signals Marvel’s intent to resonate with long-time fans. This strategic direction increases speculation that Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine and Halle Berry’s Storm may also be confirmed as more casting announcements unfold.
James Marsden’s confirmed return as Cyclops surprised many, especially due to the character’s trajectory in previous X-Men films, where he often played a subdued role. Cyclops, while a foundational member of the X-Men and a fan-favorite in the comics, struggled for screen time in earlier live-action adaptations. Following his quick exit in X-Men: The Last Stand, the character’s image has seen revitalization through Marvel’s animated projects, such as X-Men ’97. With Avengers: Doomsday, there is hope that Marsden’s Cyclops will finally take center stage and receive the recognition he deserves.
Source: Screen Rant
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