Alan Cumming revealed that he and his colleagues X-Men co-stars left “trauma bonded” following their difficult experiences filming the 2003 sequel, X2.
Speaking at the TriBeCa Ball in New York on April 20, the Emmy-winning actor explained that the actors have stayed in close contact over the past twenty years precisely because the original filming process was so grueling.
Cumming is set to reprise his fan-favorite role as teleporting mutant Nightcrawler in the upcoming Marvel blockbuster. Avengers: Apocalypsescheduled for release in December 2026.
Reflecting on his relationships with the original cast, Cumming noted that he remained good friends with Sir Ian McKellen and saw a lot of Patrick Stewart, James Marsden and Rebecca Romijn over the decades.
He suggested that when a group of people go through a particularly harrowing work experience together, it creates a lasting bond.
While it didn’t bring everyone together for the new Avengers project due to the fragmented nature of modern filmmaking, the bonds formed during those early superhero days clearly haven’t faded.
The actor was famous for speaking candidly about his misery during the production of X2previously describing the experience as “horrible” for several reasons.
He spent up to five hours a day in a makeup chair to achieve Nightcrawler’s signature blue look and has often spoken about the challenges of working with the film’s director, Bryan Singer.
However, Cumming described his return to the character during Avengers: Apocalypse as a surprisingly healing experience.
He praised the directors of the new film, calling them “the brothers,” for fostering a supportive environment where every person on set felt valued, which was a far cry from his first appearance in the role.
Fans will see Cumming return to the big screen alongside a massive cast including Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd and Tom Hiddleston, plus others X-Men veterans Rebecca Romijn and Kelsey Grammer.
For Cumming, returning to a character he never expected to play again was a “really lovely” full-circle moment.
Avengers: Apocalypse is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026, marking over twenty years since Nightcrawler’s first appearance in the mutant franchise.
