Tag: X-Men

  • Ian McKellen Mocks Trump in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Scene

    Ian McKellen Mocks Trump in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Scene


    Digital Phablet – Ian McKellen shared a humorous Trump-related joke while filming Magneto.

    During an intense action scene in “Avengers: Doomsday,” where the 87-year-old actor reprises his role as the iconic “X-Men” villain Magneto, Ian McKellen revealed at a recent film festival in Rome (via The Guardian) that he directed a playful jab at Donald Trump. The film’s directors, the Russo Brothers, advised McKellen to appear more furious in a scene where Magneto unleashes chaos with his powers.

    “[They told me to] make it appear as if you hate what you’re destroying,” McKellen explained. “So I stood there and I shouted, ‘Mar-a-Lago!’

    Trump has owned Mar-a-Lago, a resort in Palm Beach, Florida, since 1985. During his time as president, he held meetings with world leaders at the property, which he visits frequently. The audience at the Cinema in Piazza festival, known for its free outdoor screenings and Q&A sessions, chuckled at McKellen’s playful jab at Trump.

    Previously, Ian McKellen has openly criticized Trump. The actor from “X-Men” and “Lord of the Rings” condemned Trump for not defending LGBTQ+ rights during his first term in office in 2017. McKellen told Variety, “It’s appalling, completely unnecessary, and un-American,” referencing how the White House ignored Pride Month and reversed the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, actions that many believed exposed LGBTQ+ employees to discrimination. America is the birthplace of the gay rights movement, which began at Stonewall in San Francisco, the city where Donald Trump was born and raised.

    Ian McKellen Donald Trump

    At that time, McKellen said, “I can’t follow Mr. Trump.” “I often find his comments confusing, and when I do understand, I sometimes realize I was mistaken because he later contradicts himself. I believe he’s a poor communicator. Donald, please be clearer. Only then will you be taken seriously.”

  • Cynthia Erivo Aims To Portray X-Men Hero Storm

    Cynthia Erivo Aims To Portray X-Men Hero Storm

    Cynthia Erivo is still basking in the acclaim for her portrayal of Elphaba in the 2024 film Wicked, but she’s already eyeing exciting new opportunities. In a recent conversation with the National Board of Review, she expressed her desire to take on the role of one of the most legendary female superheroes in cinematic history.

    “I have a strong wish to play Storm,” Erivo shared on the red carpet at the National Board of Review Awards Gala in New York City. She believes that the beloved X-Men character has not yet been fully realized on screen. “It may seem trivial, but I think there’s so much about her complexity and the struggles she faces that we haven’t yet explored. I’m convinced we could create something truly remarkable with that,” she added.

    So far, Storm has been portrayed in live-action twice: first by Halle Berry in the X-Men films produced by Fox during the 2000s and early 2010s, and later by Alexandra Shipp in the prequel entries X-Men: Apocalypse and X-Men: Dark Phoenix. The character has also consistently appeared in various animated X-Men productions over the years, with Alison Sealy-Smith recently voicing a version of Storm in Marvel’s What If…? Season 3.

    Currently, Storm’s future in live-action films remains uncertain. Since acquiring the X-Men film rights, Marvel Studios has hinted at mutant connections but has yet to lay out specific plans for the X-Men in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As such, fans are left wondering when Storm might finally make her much-anticipated live-action debut in this expansive franchise. However, as Marvel prepares for that moment, they know at least one prominent actress is eager to step into the role.

    Wicked is currently playing in theaters.

  • Kevin Feige Discusses MCU Future With Fantastic Four X-Men

    Kevin Feige Discusses MCU Future With Fantastic Four X-Men

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for a new era of superheroes, prominently featuring the Fantastic Four. This iconic team is poised to make their debut in the upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. During Disney’s APAC Content Showcase in Singapore, Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, announced that production on First Steps is nearly wrapped up. Following their introduction, Feige anticipates that this supergroup will become a significant component of the MCU, particularly in future Avengers films.

    “Finally, we’re excited to bring Marvel’s First Family into the MCU,” Feige shared (via Deadline). “Filming will conclude next week, with the movie set to release next summer. After that, these characters will seamlessly transition into the next wave of Avengers films, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the future of the Fantastic Four.”

    The cast of the Fantastic Four pose for a promotional photo.
    Pedro Pascal / Instagram

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the beginning of Phase Six in the MCU, featuring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

    After introducing the Fantastic Four, the spotlight will shift to the much-anticipated arrival of the X-Men. Feige expressed his excitement about regaining the rights to the X-Men, calling it a “dream.” He hinted that fans might see some familiar mutants pop up in upcoming MCU releases. This buildup is all leading to Avengers: Secret Wars, which will usher in Marvel’s mutant saga.

    “I think audiences will see some X-Men characters reappear in our next films. After that, the plot of Secret Wars will truly set the stage for a new era featuring the X-Men,” Feige noted. “It’s a dream come true that we finally have the X-Men back in the fold.”

    Deadpool and Wolverine stand near a metal cage in Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine.
    Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Marvel Studios

    This year also marked the return of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine to the MCU with Deadpool & Wolverine. Additionally, Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Kelsey Grammer’s Hank McCoy had a cameo in the post-credits of The Marvels. Furthermore, Ms. Marvel introduced Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan as a mutant.

    In May, Michael Lesslie, known for Now You See Me 3, was brought on board to write an untitled X-Men film for Marvel. While this film does not yet have a specific release date, it is expected to arrive following Avengers: Secret Wars, set for May 7, 2027.