Famke Janssen, the Dutch actress known for portraying Jean Grey in the X-Men franchise, has expressed her anger over being excluded from the upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday. In an interview at Spacecon 2026 with Nerdtropolis, the 61-year-old former model stated that the Marvel Universe “made a mistake” by not casting her in the film.
Janssen's Reaction to the Snub
Janssen, who played the iconic role of Jean Grey, also known as Phoenix, across five X-Men movies, did not hold back her feelings. “I am so bad at keeping secrets that I always say to everyone I’m the worst actor in the world. It’s all on my face. You right away will read it,” she said. “I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that,” the Taken star added.
Her History as Jean Grey
Janssen first brought Jean Grey to life in 2000's X-Men, and reprised the role in X2: X-Men United (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). She also made cameo appearances in The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). Her portrayal of the powerful mutant made her a fan favorite in the superhero genre.
Marvel's Casting for Doomsday
Janssen's comments have sparked debate as Marvel Studios has already announced the return of several original X-Men actors for Avengers: Doomsday. The confirmed cast includes Alan Cumming, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Kelsey Grammer, and Rebecca Romijn, all of whom will reprise their famous roles. The decision to leave out Janssen has surprised many fans, given her longstanding association with the character.
Release Date and Expectations
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. The film is expected to bring together characters from across the Marvel Universe, including the newly integrated X-Men. With a star-studded cast already announced, Janssen's absence is notable and has become a topic of discussion among fans and industry observers.
