Famke Janssen Says Disney Hasn’t Reached Out About Returning as Jean Grey in the MCU

It’s been over two decades since Famke Janssen first brought Jean Grey to life in X-Men, and the actress remains one of the most iconic faces tied to the character. But despite fans hoping to see her rise again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Janssen revealed that she’s never actually been contacted by Disney about reprising her role.

During a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, the actress shared, “Every time I do an interview, it’s mentioned. It’s interesting. I didn’t realize that was such a big part. Every interview I do, that will come up, and of everything I say, that is going to be the only thing that’s gonna be printed.”

She added, “I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people. It’s been so long, but it’s nice that people are still talking about her. I’m sure every single time there’s a new movie that they’re doing… it’ll come up again.”

Janssen last appeared as Jean Grey in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), closing out more than a decade of playing one of Marvel’s most complex mutants.

Since then, several of her original X-Men co-stars have already made their way back into the fold. Janssen’s franchise co-stars Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), James Marsden (Cyclops), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Kelsey Grammer and most likely Hugh Jackman, will return for Avengers: Doomsday, premiering Dec. 18, 2026.

Yet, despite all that mutant momentum, Janssen remains on the sidelines, which is so weird to me as she should be included! We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

Janssen’s Jean Grey helped define the X-Men era that set the stage for modern superhero cinema. If the multiverse really is wide open, here’s hoping there’s still room for one more fiery return.