The Power of the Phoenix Returns? Original Jean Gray Actress Reveals Possibility of Returning to X-Men Movies

Famke Janssen, who was the first live-action Jean Grey in the original X-Men movies, teases how a potential future return could be possible.

Jean Grey actress Famke Janssen has recently discussed whether or not she will ever portray the X-Men heroine again in future Marvel projects. While X-Men ’97 is keeping the world busy and excited with content related to the mutants, Marvel Studios is also eying the X-Men for the world of live-action. With the character rights back at Marvel Studios, the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline is getting closer than ever to finally introducing the X-Men on a full-time basis as a new reboot is on its way.

In a new interview with Comic Book, Janssen was asked about what the chances are of her coming back as Jean Grey, after having played her in the original X-Men movies. While reflecting on her surprising returns in the past, Janssen gave the following response:

I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t expect to come back after dying as Jean Grey. I came back as the Phoenix [in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand], and I came back in flashback scenes in The Wolverine, and then in Days of Future Past. I don’t know. I doubt it, but you never know. [When asked if she may be back in Deadpool & Wolverine.]

Could Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey Be Returning In Deadpool & Wolverine?

The only MCU movie releasing in 2024 is Deadpool & Wolverine, which will properly bring Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson into the franchise. However, the Deadpool threequel also serves as a semi-finale of Fox’s old Marvel franchise, which includes past X-Men films. As Hugh Jackman is returning to the role of Wolverine, the Phase 5 movie would be the ideal place to feature Janssen’s Jean Grey.

Given how the latest Deadpool & Wolverine trailer revealed many past X-Men actors back, it wouldn’t be shocking if Janssen is one of the many surprises they have in store for audiences. Even if it’s just in a cameo capacity, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Marvel Studios managed to sneak Janssen into the Deadpool & Wolverine cast, especially if they’re bidding farewell to the old X-Men universe. It’d also be fun to see Janssen play a Jean variant, perhaps from this new world that Jackman’s alternative Logan is from, as revealed in the new Deadpool & Wolverine trailer.

Given the amount of secrecy surrounding Deadpool & Wolverine, it would make sense if there were a lot of other big X-Men actors from the original films, especially following Spider-Man: No Way Home bringing back Marvel’s two biggest previous Spider-Man actors. As Deadpool & Wolverine arrives in theaters in three months, time will tell if the MCU is about to get a major X-Men movie reunion this summer.