Alan Cumming Says ‘X2’ Cast Stayed Close After “Traumatic” Filming Experience

Alan Cumming says he has stayed in touch with several of his X2: X-Men United co-stars over the years, even though making the film was a difficult experience.

Speaking at the TriBeCa Ball in New York on April 20, Cumming said reconnecting with former cast members for the upcoming Marvel movie Avengers: Doomsday felt natural because many of them never lost contact. He mentioned that he still sees actors like Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden.

He explained that the cast did not fully reunite on set this time because scenes were filmed separately, which he described as a more modern way of working.

Cumming also said the original X2 experience brought the cast closer together in an unusual way. He described it as “bonded in trauma,” which helped them stay connected over the years.

The actor is returning as Nightcrawler in Avengers: Doomsday, set to be released in December 2026. He said coming back to the role has been a positive experience and something he never expected.

In earlier interviews, Cumming had been open about how difficult filming X2 was. He said he was unhappy during production, partly because of long hours in makeup—sometimes up to five hours—and other issues on set.

In contrast, he described working on Doomsday as “healing” and said the current filmmakers made sure everyone felt respected and valued.

The new film will feature a mix of Marvel actors, including Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston, Simu Liu, and several returning X-Men stars.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.