Famke Janssen says Marvel made a mistake leaving Jean Grey out of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Several original ‘X-Men’ actors are returning for the Marvel event film, but Jean Grey remains absent

Famke Janssen has shared her thoughts on being left out of Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, saying the studio “made a mistake” by not bringing Jean Grey back alongside many of her former X-Men co stars.

Speaking with Nerdtropolis during SPACECON 2026, the actress admitted she has never been good at keeping secrets and joked that her facial expressions would immediately reveal any hidden plans.

“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,” Janssen said.

She then added: “I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that.”

Janssen first played Jean Grey in 2000’s X-Men, helping launch Fox’s hugely successful mutant franchise. She later reprised the role in X2: X-Men United in 2003 and X-Men: The Last Stand in 2006. The actress also returned for brief appearances in The Wolverine and X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Her comments have attracted attention because Marvel Studios has already confirmed the return of several original X-Men actors for Avengers: Doomsday. Patrick Stewart is returning as Professor Charles Xavier, while Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn, Alan Cumming and Kelsey Grammer are also set to reprise their iconic characters.

Jean Grey’s absence has surprised many fans, especially given the importance of the Phoenix character within Marvel lore and her long history alongside Cyclops and Professor X.

This is not the first time Janssen has addressed the possibility of returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in October 2025, she revealed that nearly every interview eventually turns to questions about Jean Grey.

“It’s interesting,” she said at the time. “I didn’t realise that was such a big part.”

Janssen also acknowledged that she appreciates the continued affection audiences have for the character, saying she feels flattered that people still discuss Jean Grey decades after her first appearance.

“I’m sure every single time there’s a new movie that they’re doing, like ‘Doomsday’, it’ll come up again,” she previously said.

Marvel has not commented on whether additional casting announcements for Avengers: Doomsday are still to come. With the multiverse continuing to play a major role in the franchise, some fans remain hopeful that Jean Grey could still appear.