アラン・カミング、「X2」を「ひどい」と批判、『ドゥームズデイ・ヒーリング』を称賛

Alan Cumming’s return to the role of Nightcrawler in Avengers: Doomsday marks a powerful emotional and professional redemption after his painful experience filming X2: X-Men United in 2003—a period he has openly described as "miserable" and "awful" due to the toxic environment on set under director Bryan Singer.

In his 2021 memoir Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life, Cumming detailed the deeply unsettling behind-the-scenes atmosphere during X2’s production. He accused Singer of substance abuse, mood swings, and unprofessional conduct, which contributed to a fractured and stressful filming experience. These revelations, along with those from other cast members, have since fueled broader scrutiny of Singer’s legacy and behavior during his tenure on the X-Men franchise.

Now, nearly two decades later, Cumming is returning to the role with a renewed sense of joy and purpose. Speaking to People, he reflected on how healing and fulfilling it felt to reprise Nightcrawler’s iconic role, especially given the stark contrast to his earlier experience.

“It was amazing,” Cumming said. “In a really emotional way, it felt healing and rewarding to revisit something that had been such a terrible experience the first time. It’s a great film—I truly love it.”

He also highlighted the positive and collaborative energy of the current Avengers: Doomsday production. At 60, Cumming expressed surprise and gratitude at once again performing stunts and embodying a superhero, calling the experience "wonderful" and made possible by a kind and supportive cast and crew.

Interestingly, Cumming filmed his scenes quickly, partly due to his commitment to The Traitors, the reality TV series he recently starred in on Amazon Prime. This limited his time on set but didn’t diminish the significance of his return.

With a star-studded ensemble including Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and Ian McKellen (Magneto), Avengers: Doomsday promises to unite generations of Marvel fans. The film is expected to explore major multiversal threats, with hints of future appearances by Ryan Reynolds (as Deadpool) and Xochitl Gomez (as America Chavez), further expanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For Cumming, this new chapter isn’t just a comeback—it’s a full-circle moment of healing, respect, and joy. From a traumatic past to a triumphant return, Nightcrawler’s journey mirrors his own: once darkened by hardship, now reborn with light, laughter, and legacy.