At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising news that Robert Downey, Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga's climax, featuring prominently in both 2026’s *Avengers: Doomsday* and 2027’s *Avengers: Secret Wars*. Adding to the excitement, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in *Doomsday*, following his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. These announcements have sparked speculation about whether *Avengers: Doomsday* might secretly be an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie. Let's delve into Marvel's *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline and explore how it could be adapted for the MCU.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have crossed paths since their debuts in the early 1960s, collaborating in numerous stories like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men (AvX) stands out as a tale of conflict rather than cooperation.
The tension in AvX stems from a dark period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), the mutant population has dwindled to a few hundred, facing extinction. Internal divisions have also emerged, with Wolverine and Cyclops forming rival schools. Amidst this chaos, the Phoenix Force approaches Earth.
The conflict escalates when the Avengers view the Phoenix as a threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' last hope. The Avengers' attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force is seen as an act of war by the X-Men. AvX is intriguing because it features unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers and Storm torn between her loyalty to both teams. Professor X also shows less support for Cyclops than one might expect.
The story unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs fighting to protect the Phoenix. At the end of Act 1, Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. In Act 2, the Phoenix Five dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda, which Namor subsequently floods. The Avengers' hope lies with Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, and their plan is for her to absorb the Phoenix Force.
The final act sees Cyclops, now the Dark Phoenix, battling both teams until he accidentally kills Charles Xavier. However, the story ends on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, bonds with the Phoenix, eradicates it, and restores the mutant gene.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday are scarce, but it's known that the film was initially titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty before shifting focus from Kang to Doom due to the studio's split with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks a formal Avengers team, even after Captain America: Brave New World.
On the X-Men front, the MCU has introduced a few mutants, including Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from other universes, such as Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast in The Marvels, and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverines in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here’s a list of confirmed Earth-616 mutants in the MCU:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It's unclear if Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be revealed as mutants in the MCU.
The idea of an Avengers vs. X-Men movie in the current MCU landscape seems unlikely due to the absence of a cohesive X-Men team. However, the multiverse concept could be the key. We speculate that Avengers: Doomsday might be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against the heroes of another universe, specifically the Fox X-Men universe.
This theory builds on the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Grammer’s Beast tends to Monica Rambeau, who appears trapped in the Fox X-Men universe. This unresolved plot point could lead to an Incursion between the MCU and Earth-10005, setting the stage for a battle to save both worlds.
Avengers: Doomsday might draw inspiration from both Avengers vs. X-Men and the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series. In Secret Wars, an Incursion between the last two universes leads to a battle for survival. Similarly, the MCU's Avengers: Doomsday could feature an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, forcing the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival.
This scenario could lead to epic superhero matchups, with characters like Captain America, Wolverine, Colossus, Hulk, Thor, and Storm facing off. Additionally, characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool might find themselves torn between loyalties.
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How Doctor Doom Fits In
While the Avengers and X-Men have a reason to clash, Doctor Doom's role remains crucial. Known for his schemes to gain power and manipulate heroes, Doom could exploit the conflict to weaken both teams. His actions in the comics, such as attempting to control Wakanda's vibranium and influencing Scarlet Witch, showcase his cunning.
In Avengers: Doomsday, Doom might see the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, setting the stage for his larger plan. As in the comics, Doom's actions could be driving the multiverse's collapse, positioning him as the mastermind behind the scenes, much like Zemo in Captain America: Civil War.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is set to lead into Avengers: Secret Wars, much like Infinity War led into Endgame. Drawing from the 2015 Secret Wars comic, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the Avengers and X-Men's failure to unite.
The film could end with the creation of Battleworld, a patchwork reality formed from the remnants of destroyed universes. In the comics, Doctor Doom becomes the God Emperor of Battleworld. In the MCU, Avengers: Doomsday might set up Doom's ascent to godhood, using the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men as a stepping stone.
Avengers: Doomsday might be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a dark new reality in Secret Wars. The sequel could feature a vast ensemble of Marvel characters uniting to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more on the MCU's future, learn why Secret Wars benefits from Downey's Doom, and check out every upcoming Marvel movie and series.
Note: this article was originally published on 09/02/2024 and updated on 03/26/2025 with the latest news about Avengers: Doomsday.
