First look at Sir Ian McKellen in new Avengers Doomsday

Marvel fans have been given their first glimpse of Bolton School old boy returning as Magneto in the newly released trailer for Avengers: Doomsday.

The trailer offers a fresh glimpse of the clash between Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom and Earth’s mightiest heroes, while also fuelling speculation over a possible Wolverine return after Hugh Jackman jokingly suggested to Marvel boss Kevin Feige that he could help “round out the cast”.

His comments came as a new trailer for the film was released showing Captain America, played by Chris Evans, cradling a baby in his arms.

It also showed Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom beating away the hammer of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, and shows Sir Ian as a long-haired version of Magneto.

The trailer opens with a voiceover which says: “Victor was always the smartest guy in every room, he used to be different, he used to be kind, he used to be caring, and then, everything he loved was taken from him.

“I knew he was lost, but I did not realise that he was broken.”

A fight scene between Doctor Doom and Thor is then shown, which ends with Downey Jr’s character saying “hell answers to me, for I am Doom”.

The upcoming film serves as a sequel to 2019’s Avengers: Endgame and is the 39th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The blockbuster features an ensemble cast as the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Wakandans and New Avengers converge from different universes to face Doctor Doom.

Marvel’s synopsis for Avengers: Doomsday reads: “Universes collide and the Multiverse Saga begins its final chapter in Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday.

“Beloved heroes from three distinct universes will be set on a deadly collision course and ultimately face an existential threat unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.

“This epic film will lay the foundation for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”

Avengers: Doomsday will be released in cinemas on December 18.

But Marvel fans aren’t the only ones with Sir Ian to look forward to.

Before returning to the big screen as Magneto, the Bolton School alumnus will appear as Jacob Marley opposite Johnny Depp’s Ebenezer Scrooge in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, one of the year’s most anticipated festive films.

And later this month, audiences will get to see a more personal side of the actor when he joins longtime friend Dame Judi Dench for an episode of Tea With Judi Dench.

In a preview clip, Sir Ian, who was burn in Burnley, recalls being in the “depths of stage fright” while working with the Oscar-winning actress, telling her: “What magic empathy you had.”

The programme will also see him reflect on coming out as gay, campaigning against Section 28 and one of his greatest regrets: never sharing the truth about his sexuality with his parents.

Whether he’s haunting Johnny Depp’s Scrooge as Jacob Marley, sharing memories with Dame Judi Dench or returning as Magneto in one of Marvel’s biggest ever films, Sir Ian is giving audiences plenty to look forward to over the coming months.