At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the future of the MCU, including a surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the franchise as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to play a pivotal role in the climax of the Multiverse Saga, 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*.
Speculation is rife that *Avengers: Doomsday* might secretly be an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie. Given the storied history between these iconic teams, this possibility is intriguing. But what would drive the Avengers and X-Men to clash? Let's explore the comic storyline *Avengers vs. X-Men* and consider how it could be adapted into the MCU.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, dating back to their early appearances in the 1960s. They've teamed up in numerous stories, including *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* in 1984 and *Secret Invasion* in 2008. However, *Avengers vs. X-Men* (AvX) in 2012 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* in 2005, the mutant population dwindled to a mere few hundred, facing the threat of extinction. Additionally, internal conflicts led to a schism between Wolverine and Cyclops, resulting in rival schools. Amidst this turmoil, the Phoenix Force approaches Earth, setting the stage for conflict.
The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind's survival. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men perceive it as an act of war. The narrative is enriched by unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers and Storm torn between her loyalty to both teams.
AvX unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs, fighting to protect the Phoenix Force. However, Iron Man's attempt to destroy the Phoenix results in the cosmic entity being split into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five.
In the second act, the empowered mutants put the Avengers on the defensive, forcing them to retreat to Wakanda. The situation escalates when Namor leads Atlantis to war, flooding Wakanda. The Avengers pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-*House of M*, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.
The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, become the Dark Phoenix. The combined forces of the Avengers and X-Men manage to stop him, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. The story concludes on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, uses the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene, despite Cyclops ending up in prison.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about *Avengers: Doomsday* are sparse, with the title and cast being the most prominent information. Initially announced as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, the film's focus shifted from Kang to Doctor Doom following the studio's decision to part ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men presence is limited to a few characters like Kamala Khan and Namor, with others appearing from alternate universes.
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
While Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are traditionally mutants, their status in the MCU remains uncertain.
Given the current state of the Avengers and X-Men in the MCU, an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie might be approached through a multiverse narrative. This could involve a conflict between the MCU and the heroes of the Fox universe, potentially serving as the final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters.
The post-credits scene in *The Marvels* hints at this direction, showing Monica Rambeau in a universe similar to the Fox X-Men's. An Incursion between the MCU and Earth-10005 could set the stage for a battle between the two worlds, drawing inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* series.
In *Secret Wars #1*, the Avengers and the Ultimates clash over an Incursion, knowing that one Earth must be destroyed to save the other. A similar scenario could drive the conflict in *Avengers: Doomsday*, with the Avengers and X-Men fighting for the survival of their respective universes.
This setup promises epic superhero matchups and could see characters like Ms. Marvel grappling with their loyalties when faced with fellow mutants. Even Deadpool might find himself in the fray, adding a wild card to the battle.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In
While the Avengers and X-Men have their reasons to fight, Doctor Doom's role adds another layer of intrigue. Known for his cunning and ambition, Doom often manipulates events to his advantage, as seen in his attempts to gain power from figures like Silver Surfer and the Beyonder.
Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to weaken both teams, making the world more susceptible to his schemes. Similar to Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*, Doom could be the mastermind pulling the strings behind the scenes.
In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, and a similar narrative could unfold in the MCU. His role in *Doomsday* might reveal him as the instigator of the multiverse's deteriorating state, 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, *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty* was set to lead directly into *Avengers: Secret Wars*, much like *Infinity War* and *Endgame*. With its rebranding to *Avengers: Doomsday*, the film still serves as a crucial setup for *Secret Wars*.
Drawing from *Secret Wars #1*, *Doomsday* might end with the multiverse's destruction, as the Avengers and X-Men, too focused on their conflict, fail to prevent the inevitable. This could lead to the creation of Battleworld, a patchwork reality, with Doctor Doom as its God Emperor.
*Avengers: Doomsday* might loosely adapt *Avengers vs. X-Men*, setting the stage for a dark status quo leading into *Secret Wars*. In *Secret Wars*, a diverse lineup of Marvel characters from various universes could unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more on the MCU's future, learn why Secret Wars has the perfect villain in Downey's Doom, and stay updated on all upcoming Marvel movies 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.
