Ian McKellen, known for his role as Magneto in the X-Men series, appears to have inadvertently confirmed a dramatic event in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film. During an interview on the YouTube channel Jake’s Takes, McKellen mentioned the destruction of New Jersey, sparking intense speculation among fans about what this could mean for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
McKellen’s Revealed Spoiler and Its Context
While discussing his physical experiences from past X-Men stunts, McKellen recalled a moment from the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand, stating,
“Two police cars in front of me were raised up by cranes,”
he said. He then made the startling remark,
“These were not special effects. Nowadays I think things will become a little bit easier — though I did destroy New Jersey the other day.”
Realizing the potential impact of his words, he immediately added,
“Oooh, I perhaps shouldn’t have said that…”
What Is Known About Magneto’s Role in Avengers: Doomsday
Fans already know McKellen’s Magneto returns to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday. The film’s promotional footage features Magneto alongside Patrick Stewart’s Professor X at the X-Mansion, engaged in what seems like a tense final chess match. The trailer hints at catastrophic events, showing the school in ruins and James Marsden’s Cyclops confronting tall, ominous Sentinels. It suggests that a showdown involving these characters, including Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, is imminent.
Speculations Surrounding the Multiverse and New Jersey’s Fate
Many fans speculate that the X-Men’s involvement in Avengers: Doomsday is linked to multiverse collapses occurring within the MCU, as introduced in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Captain Marvel. These “incursions,” where different realities collide, might force Magneto to take drastic action, potentially sacrificing New Jersey. This theory aligns with the proximity of New Jersey to the X-Mansion’s Westchester County, New York location.
Another possibility is that New Jersey’s destruction happens within the main MCU timeline. This could mark a significant turning point in the overall saga, especially with the expected reset following Avengers: Secret Wars. If so, this event might introduce Jersey City’s Kamala Khan and her group of younger Avengers into the storyline. Additionally, this scenario would imply some X-Men survive the assault on the X-Mansion, escalating the conflict into a broader battlefield.
Implications for the Marvel Universe and What Lies Ahead
The revelation that New Jersey might be destroyed raises stakes for both the X-Men and Avengers franchises, blending the gravitas of McKellen’s Magneto with larger, interconnected Marvel storylines. As these rival realities collide, the film could redefine character alliances and key plot developments. Avengers: Doomsday is set to premiere on December 18, where audiences will finally learn the full extent of the consequences hinted at by McKellen’s unintentional spoiler.
For Marvel’s fans, the upcoming release promises a high-tension event filled with loss, heroism, and the unraveling of the multiverse. Interestingly, this chaotic narrative might spare Manhattan from similar devastation, giving the city a temporary reprieve amid the turmoil.
References and Credits
Image credit: Joe Maher/WireImage via Getty Images.
