At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled thrilling updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising news that Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. This iconic villain will 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 the nature of Avengers: Doomsday, with many wondering if it might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.

The idea of the Avengers and X-Men clashing raises questions about their potential conflict. Could this be a repeat of the lessons unlearned from Batman v Superman? To understand this possibility, let's delve into Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men storyline and explore how it could be adapted for the MCU.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 Images

What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, dating back to their early 1960s debuts. They've united in epic tales like 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008's Secret Invasion. However, 2012's Avengers vs. X-Men stands out as a unique narrative where these teams are at odds.

The tension in AvX arises during a dark period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M, the mutant population is drastically reduced, facing extinction. Internal conflicts, such as the schism between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space sets the stage for the conflict. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' last hope for survival. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men perceive it as an act of war.

AvX is intriguing because it challenges traditional alliances. Wolverine, despite his history with the Avengers, initially sides with them, while Storm grapples with her dual roles. Even Professor X's support for Cyclops is less than expected.

The story unfolds in three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix, but Iron Man's weapon splits it into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five. Act 2 sees the Avengers on the defensive, retreating to Wakanda, which Namor floods. Their hope lies in Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, who they believe can absorb the Phoenix Force.

The climax in Act 3 sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix fragments, becoming the Dark Phoenix. The combined forces of the Avengers and X-Men stop him, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. The story concludes with Hope and Scarlet Witch using the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene, leaving Cyclops imprisoned but hopeful.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday are scarce beyond its title and cast, which have seen changes. Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film shifted focus from Kang to Doom after Marvel parted ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged by Captain America: Brave New World.

The MCU's X-Men presence is even more fragmented. Only a few mutants have been introduced, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from alternate universes, like 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.

Given the current state of the Avengers and the absence of an official X-Men team, why would Marvel attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. We theorize that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against the heroes of another universe, specifically the Fox X-Men universe. This could serve as a final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters.

The post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, suggests she's 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 the AvX comic and the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series. In Secret Wars #1, the Avengers and the Ultimates fight over the fate of their universes during an Incursion. Similarly, the MCU's Avengers and X-Men could clash over the survival of their respective Earths.

This conflict could lead to epic 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 narrative.

Answer

See Results

How Doctor Doom Fits In

While the Avengers and X-Men have a reason to fight, Doctor Doom's role remains crucial. Known for his opportunism, Doom often seeks to gain power by manipulating heroes and stealing their abilities. He could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to weaken them, making the world more susceptible to his plans.

In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, setting the stage for Secret Wars. Similarly, in Avengers: Doomsday, Doom might be revealed as the mastermind behind the multiverse's deterioration, using the war between the Avengers and X-Men as a step toward his ultimate goal of godhood.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers 5 was expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars. Now retitled Avengers: Doomsday, it still serves as a crucial lead-in to Secret Wars.

Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Avengers: Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction, as the Avengers and X-Men fail to unite against the looming threat. This could result in the creation of Battleworld, a patchwork reality, with Doom as its God Emperor.

Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a dark new status quo in Secret Wars. Here, a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes from various universes might unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

For more on the MCU's future, learn why Secret Wars finally has the villain it needs in Downey's Doom, and stay updated on every Marvel movie and series 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.