Alan Cumming Shares First Behind-the-Scenes Look at Nightcrawler’s Return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Marvel fans have more reason than ever to be excited, because Alan Cumming just dropped new behind-the-scenes shots of himself as Nightcrawler from the set of Avengers: Doomsday.

Alan Cumming shares new behind-the-scenes looks for Nightcrawler on the set of Avengers: Doomsday 👀 pic.twitter.com/FGpOWGkWrC

— X-Men Updates (@XMenUpdate) August 12, 2025

The movie is one of Marvel’s biggest upcoming projects and will be a massive crossover event bringing together heroes from the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Wakanda, the X-Men, and more. The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely. It’s set to release in the US on December 18, 2026, with a follow-up, Secret Wars, planned for the following year.

Cumming, who first played Nightcrawler in 2003’s X2: X-Men United, hasn’t returned to the role until now. Back then, he stepped away because the long hours in the makeup chair were exhausting. But according to Variety, he said he agreed to return this time because the process is much faster and easier.

During a recent guest-hosting gig on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Cumming couldn’t resist bringing up Marvel’s usual secrecy rules while interviewing the cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. But Pedro Pascal, who plays Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, was quick to call him out. “It’s funny that you should ask,” Pascal joked. “The biggest leak that we’ve had comes from our host.” So yeah, Cumming already spoiled a thing or two, so it’s not so unusual that this behind-the-scenes look came from him.

Pascal was talking about a moment earlier this year when Cumming accidentally let it slip that there might be a fight between Nightcrawler and Mister Fantastic in Avengers: Doomsday. That little tease sent fans into a frenzy and even got Cumming a stern call from his publicist. “You know the wrath of your publicist is, not the wrath you want to have,” Cumming admitted.

The new behind-the-scenes photos give us an idea of what Nightcrawler will look like, based on images from the waste/confidential bin. We also definitely know that Nightcrawler will have comic-accurate teeth prosthetics.

Avengers: Doomsday promises a showdown with Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., and will feature an enormous cast including Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh, Paul Rudd, and Lewis Pullman’s Sentry.

With filming still underway and Cumming clearly having fun with his return, it’s safe to say Nightcrawler’s comeback will be one of the most talked-about parts of the movie. And if his behind-the-scenes photos are anything to go by, fans are in for a treat.

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