Alan Cumming, the actor who brings Nightcrawler to life in Marvel’s upcoming crossover spectacle Avengers: Doomsday, has candidly admitted that he “didn’t fully understand” the film’s plot while shooting his scenes — including one that reportedly had him lying on top of Florence Pugh’s Black Widow. Speaking on SiriusXM and reported by Variety, Cumming, the Scottish star also known as host of The Traitors, added another chapter to the string of offbeat behind-the-scenes anecdotes he has already shared about his return to Marvel’s cinematic universe.
“I Just Know I’m Here to Run Around”
Cumming, who previously leaked details about having his returning Nightcrawler character filmed mostly against blue screen and getting to fight Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, now revealed that he was handed pieces of Doomsday’s story — only to politely decline them. He recounted a rare moment when he was actually working on the backlot rather than in front of a blue screen, and a crew member launched into an explanation of the scene’s stakes.
“There was a bit when we were shooting a scene, and it was one of the rare scenes when I was actually on the backlot and not in front of a blue screen… this man came and said, ‘So right now Alan, these giant robots are blah blah,’ and started to tell me the thing, and I was like, ‘You know what, thank you so much, but just tell me where I point my, whatever I point. And I’ll do that. Really, I just know I’m here to run around.’
Alan Cumming
The “giant robots” Cumming referenced are almost certainly the Sentinels unveiled in Doomsday’s recent trailer — the mechanical monstrosities that Doctor Doom appears to bring to life, marking what looks like the Avengers’ first clash alongside the X-Men and Doom’s first major showdown with Earth’s heroes. How long Nightcrawler survives in the film remains unconfirmed, with Cumming so far discussing only this single scene — though whether he is simply keeping quiet about anything particularly spoilery is unclear.
The Black Widow Moment
Cumming also disclosed that at one point he was required to lie on top of Pugh’s Black Widow during a scene — though he clarified that it was actually her stunt double beneath him. He described recounting the awkward encounter to Pugh herself at the recent Emmys awards ceremony.
“I saw Florence Pugh yesterday at the Emmys. And I said, ‘Gosh, it’s so funny. I’ve never met you, but you lay on top of me, or your body double did.’ And she goes, ‘Yeah I lay on top of you as well, but it was your body double.’
Alan Cumming
A Return of the X-Men
Avengers: Doomsday is expected to reunite a host of X-Men performers from 20th Century Fox’s earlier mutant film franchise. Cumming is tipped to share screen time with Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast, James Marsden’s Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn’s Mystique, and Ian McKellen’s Magneto, alongside other not-yet-teased cast members.
Looking Ahead
Following the events of Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has indicated that a semi-rebooted timeline will usher in a younger, refreshed X-Men team. That new generation is slated to headline a fresh X-Men film directed by Jake Schreier, known for Thunderbolts/The New Avengers, and starring Sadie Sink’s newly introduced Jean Grey.
Until then, Cumming’s cryptic contributions to the Doomsday lore will have to wait. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18.
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