Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday is bringing together heroes from across the Multiverse, but X-Men’s Jean Grey appears to be missing. A new report now offers a possible in-universe explanation for the absence.
X-Men universe’s Jean Grey rumored to be dead in Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Studios faces the unique challenge of unifying the famously convoluted 20th Century Fox X-Men timelines into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, according to scooper My Time To Shine Hello on X, Jean Grey is already dead in the X-Men world that Earth-616’s Avengers travel to in Avengers: Doomsday. This reportedly explains why she does not appear alongside Professor X, Magneto, Cyclops, Mystique, Gambit, Nightcrawler, and Beast.
While it remains unclear whether her death followed the events of X2: X-Men United or happened later, potentially during fights involving Doctor Doom–controlled Sentinels that have been rumored to threaten this reality. The idea that the X-Men are nearing extinction would also explain why Professor X and Magneto appear to have joined forces, and why not every legacy character returns.
The rumored story explanation aligns with real-world comments from Famke Janssen, who played Jean Grey in Fox’s original X-Men films. Janssen has said Marvel Studios did not contact her about reprising the role. Speaking with Kristian Harloff, she explained that revisiting a small part with limited creative input does not interest her at this stage of her career.
She later added that while she enjoys ensemble projects, she prefers roles that offer more creative involvement. In an October 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Janssen also spoke about questions about Avengers: Doomsday frequently dominating discussions about her work.
With both an in-universe explanation and a real-world confirmation now circulating, Jean Grey’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday appears intentional. More clarity may emerge with the next X–Men–focused teaser as Marvel continues to reveal how this fractured mutant world fits into its broader Multiverse plans.
Directed by the Russo Brothers, Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on SuperHeroHype.com.
