If you thought a five-and-a-half-hour video featuring nothing but chairs with actor names wasn’t going to hold any hidden surprises, think again. Some eagle-eyed Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans believe they’ve spotted a subtle Easter egg buried deep within the shadows. This week, Marvel unveiled the star-studded cast for Avengers: Doomsday, revealing 26 additional actors joining Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in the highly anticipated crossover. The video, while seemingly mundane, has sparked intense debate among fans.

While most viewers have moved on to speculating about the implications of the cast list, a few remain glued to the screen, dissecting every detail down to the tiniest shadows. Enter redditor True_Confusion_295, who humorously joked about feeling like a conspiracy theorist as they pointed out a shadow resembling an 'X' superimposed over an 'A'. Their theory? A potential Avengers vs. X-Men storyline brewing beneath the surface.

This revelation gains weight when considering the recent inclusion of several former Fox X-Men actors in the MCU. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden—all iconic figures from the Fox X-Men franchise—are confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. While Grammer and Stewart have already made their debuts, others like McKellen, Cumming, Romijn, and Marsden remain unconfirmed in the MCU. Channing Tatum is also reprising his role as Gambit, adding further fuel to the fire.

Could this be more than just a coincidence? Is Avengers: Doomsday subtly hinting at an epic clash between two of pop culture’s biggest franchises? Only time will tell if fans will look back on this moment as the birth of a legendary crossover.

But the theories don’t stop there. As the video concludes, Robert Downey Jr. performs a peculiar gesture—a 'shhh' motion accompanied by a finger to his lips. Is this a cryptic teaser for Avengers: Secret Wars? A nod to Agatha from WandaVision? Or perhaps a hint at future casting announcements?

Meanwhile, co-directors Joe and Anthony Russo have described Avengers: Doomsday as a “new beginning” for the MCU, setting the stage for Phase 7. Joe Russo emphasized their fascination with creating complex, multidimensional villains, suggesting that Doctor Doom’s character arc could hold deeper significance.

With Avengers: Doomsday slated for release on May 1, 2026, followed by Secret Wars in May 2027, the anticipation continues to build. In the meantime, Thunderbolts drops in May 2025, Ironheart premieres in June, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps kicks off Phase 6 in July. Marvel’s 2028 release schedule includes three untitled projects, increasing speculation that one might involve the reintroduction of the X-Men.

Stay tuned as the MCU continues to weave its intricate tapestry of storytelling. Will this shadowy 'X' truly lead to an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown, or is it merely a clever red herring? Only Marvel knows for sure.