Famke Janssen, the actress who brought the iconic Jean Grey to life in the original X-Men films, is speaking out about her absence from Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. The 61-year-old star recently stated that the studio "made a mistake" by not including her in the film’s massive ensemble cast.
Janssen made the comments during an interview with Nerdtropolis at Spacecon 2026 . Known for her candidness, she humorously noted her inability to keep secrets, suggesting that her return would have been obvious to anyone who asked. "I am so bad at keeping secrets," she said. "I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that" .
A Legacy Character Left Behind
Janssen first portrayed the powerful telepath Jean Grey in 2000’s X-Men, a role that would define her career for over a decade . She reprised the character in X2: X-Men United (2003) and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). She also made brief cameo appearances in The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) .
Despite her deep connection to the character, she confirmed that she has "never ever" been contacted by Marvel Studios regarding a potential return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe . The actress reflected on the enduring popularity of Jean Grey, expressing surprise that the character continues to be a focal point in interviews. "I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people," she told Entertainment Weekly previously . "It’s been so long, but it’s nice that people are still talking about her" .
A Major X-Men Reunion Without Jean Grey
Janssen’s omission is particularly notable given the extensive list of X-Men alumni returning for Avengers: Doomsday. While she remains absent, several of her former co-stars are set to reprise their iconic roles. The cast includes Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique .
Fans have expressed mixed reactions to the casting choices. While many are thrilled to see the classic characters return, others have voiced confusion and disappointment over the exclusion of prominent figures like Jean Grey and Halle Berry’s Storm . The lack of female representation among the returning X-Men cast has sparked discussion online, amplifying the conversation around Janssen’s comments .
Ready to Return
Despite the snub, Janssen made it clear that she is more than willing to step back into the role. "Oh, yes. I am ready," she stated regarding the possibility of reprising Jean Grey. "I am ready to show you some Phoenix, some very dark Phoenix" . This enthusiasm suggests that there are no hard feelings on her part, simply a belief that the character has more stories left to tell and that she remains the right person to tell them.
Avengers: Doomsday, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, is currently one of the most anticipated films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026 . The film will feature the return of Robert Downey Jr., not as Iron Man, but in the new role of Victor von Doom, adding to the project’s immense hype . Whether Janssen will make a surprise appearance remains to be seen, but her public statements have certainly added another layer of intrigue to the film’s lead-up.
