Famke Janssen Says Marvel Never Asked Her to Return as Jean Grey

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Fans are particularly excited about Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday because it will likely be the final appearance of the original X-Men movie cast. Several actors from the early 2000s films are returning, but Famke Janssen, who played Jean Grey, has confirmed she hasn’t been contacted by Marvel Studios about participating. She indicated this wasn’t a typical case of an actor being deliberately vague about future plans. Here’s what she shared:

It’s funny – people always bring up that one character in interviews, even now. I never expected it would be such a defining part of my work. It seems like whenever I talk to the press, that’s all anyone focuses on. I guess I should be pleased that the character made such an impression and that people still remember her after all this time. I’m sure it will keep being mentioned with every new movie they make, too.

The actress stated that Marvel Studios never contacted her about returning to the role of Jean Grey after the Fox-produced X-Men films. She emphasized this by saying, “Never. Never ever.”

As a longtime fan, I’m a little disappointed by the casting news for what’s supposedly the final X-Men film, Doomsday. Rebecca Romijn is returning as Mystique, which is great, but sadly, Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, and Famke Janssen – Rogue, Storm, and Jean Grey – won’t be appearing. It feels strange to exclude the core female characters from what’s billed as a grand finale. The rumor is Jean Grey’s immense power, particularly as Phoenix, is the reason – the filmmakers didn’t want someone too powerful on the team. But with Professor X and Magneto both returning – two characters who are equally powerful – it honestly feels like a double standard. It’s a bit of a letdown and definitely dims my enthusiasm for this big mutant reunion they’re promising.

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2025-11-04 01:02