At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement 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.
This raises intriguing questions: Is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? The evidence suggests this might be the case.
While the idea of the Avengers and X-Men fighting might seem reminiscent of past superhero conflicts like Batman v Superman, let's explore Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men storyline and how it could translate to the MCU.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have been intersecting since their early 1960s debut, collaborating in epic tales like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) is unique because it showcases the two teams in direct conflict.
The tension in AvX arises during a challenging period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), the mutant population dwindled to a mere few hundred, facing extinction. Internal divisions further complicate matters, with Wolverine and Cyclops at odds and running separate schools. Amidst this turmoil, the Phoenix Force heads towards Earth.
The conflict escalates when the Avengers view the Phoenix as a threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' salvation. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men interpret it as an act of war.
AvX showcases surprising alliances. Wolverine, despite his history with the Avengers, initially aligns with them, whereas Storm struggles with her loyalty due to her ties to both teams. Even Professor X's support for Cyclops is less than expected.
The storyline unfolds in three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men are the underdogs fighting to protect the Phoenix Force. However, Iron Man's attempt to destroy it splits the entity into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five.
In Act 2, the Phoenix Five dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda, which Namor then floods. The Avengers' hope rests on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.
The climax in Act 3 sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, become the Dark Phoenix. A united front of Avengers and X-Men stops him, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. The story concludes optimistically with Hope and Scarlet Witch using the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene, despite Cyclops' imprisonment.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details on Avengers: Doomsday are scarce, with the title and cast still evolving. Initially titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film's focus shifted from Kang to Doom following Marvel's split from Jonathan Majors. Currently, there's no official Avengers team in the MCU, a situation unchanged by Captain America: Brave New World.
The MCU's X-Men presence is similarly fragmented, with only a few mutants introduced, like Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from alternate 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 Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here's a list of confirmed mutants in the MCU, residing on Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
Note that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, may eventually be revealed as such in the MCU.
Why would Marvel attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie now? The answer lies in the multiverse. Our theory is that Doomsday will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against the heroes of another universe, specifically the X-Men from the Fox universe. This conflict might stem from the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau finds herself in a universe similar to Fox's X-Men world.
Avengers: Doomsday could draw inspiration from both AvX and the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series. In Secret Wars #1, the Marvel multiverse's final moments lead to a battle between the Avengers and the Ultimates, with the survival of their universes at stake. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 might force the Avengers and X-Men into a battle for survival.
This scenario promises thrilling superhero matchups, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, Hulk vs. Colossus, and Thor vs. Storm. Characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool might find themselves torn between loyalties, adding complexity to the conflict.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr., is a master manipulator, always seeking to exploit situations for his benefit. In the MCU, Doom could see the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men as an opportunity to weaken both teams, making the world more vulnerable to his plans. Much like Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, Doom could be the unseen force driving the conflict.
Doom's role in the comics leading to Secret Wars involves his war with the Beyonders, causing the multiverse's collapse. Similarly, in Doomsday, Doom might be revealed as the catalyst behind the multiverse's instability, using the Avengers-X-Men war as a step toward his ultimate goal.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to set the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars, much like Infinity War led to Endgame. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the Avengers and X-Men's inability to unite against the looming threat.
In the comics, the multiverse's destruction leads to Battleworld, a reality crafted by Doom with Molecule Man's help. Doomsday could similarly position Doom as the God Emperor of Battleworld, using the conflict as part of his plan to achieve godhood.
Avengers: Doomsday may loosely adapt Avengers vs. X-Men, setting up a dark status quo where the multiverse is destroyed, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. Secret Wars would then see a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, from Anthony Mackie’s Captain America to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars needs Downey's Doom and stay updated on all Marvel projects in development.
Note: this article was originally published on 09/02/2024 and updated on 03/26/2025 with the latest news about Avengers: Doomsday.
