X2 Star Blasts X-Men Sequel Ahead of Avengers: Doomsday Return

So, Alan Cumming — yes, the guy who played the blue, teleporting Nightcrawler in X2 — has opened up about just how dismal his experience was on that 2003 superhero sequel. With all the nostalgia and recent Marvel buzz, you might assume those X-Men movies were made in a haze of comic book joy and mutant camaraderie. Not so much, according to Cumming. In fact, he paints a picture of a set that left real scars on the people who worked there.

X2: Behind the Drama

In a recent interview, Cumming dropped a few details about what it was like behind the scenes of X2 — and it sounds rough. He describes the workplace as 'very, very wrong and very just unacceptable.' He doesn't call out anyone by name, but let’s be honest, anyone who’s followed the X-Men saga knows there were longstanding rumors (and more than a few news stories) about director Bryan Singer’s behavior. During X2's filming, things apparently got tense enough that actors reportedly threatened to walk off the set unless something changed. Singer has always denied these and other allegations, but it’s clear that whatever happened, it wasn't just your usual on-set squabble.

The fallout? The cast ended up forging serious friendships out of the chaos. Cumming told People Magazine that the group basically trauma-bonded over the X2 experience and, as a result, he still keeps in touch with folks like Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Patrick Stewart, and James Marsden. Or as Cumming put it, 'It’s one of those films where I think we all were so traumatized we were bonded in trauma, so we stayed in touch.' Not exactly the kind of cast reunion story you'd get from a feel-good franchise.

Nightcrawler Gets a Do-Over

Now for the interesting twist. Cumming is coming back as Nightcrawler, but this time for Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday. The new set, according to Cumming, couldn’t be more different from the old days. He’s actually enjoying himself, finally getting to play this character in an environment that feels a lot healthier.

As he put it:
'Going back to it after all these years was great because I really liked the character. To go back and play him now — and also, this film is like superhero soup. There’s so many of them in it. I just can’t keep up.'

• Film: X2 (2003) — Trouble on set, bad vibes, cast almost walked
• Director in question: Bryan Singer (not named, but heavily implied)
• Cast still talking: Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Patrick Stewart, James Marsden (plus Cumming)
• Upcoming movie: Avengers: Doomsday — Cumming returns as Nightcrawler
• Release date: December 18, 2026

So: a rare example of an actor stating outright that a massive tentpole left him with lousy memories, but at least Marvel's giving him (and maybe us) a chance to see Nightcrawler in action without all the off-screen baggage.