At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting news about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly with the unexpected announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will reprise his role, this time as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to play a crucial 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 return as Beast in Doomsday, expanding on his cameo in 2023's The Marvels.
This raises intriguing questions about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday. Could it secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? There's growing speculation that this might indeed be the case. But why would these iconic teams clash? Let's delve into the Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men storyline and explore how it could be adapted into the MCU.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
Since their debut in the early 1960s, the Avengers and X-Men have frequently crossed paths, teaming up in epic stories such as 1984’s Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008’s Secret Invasion. However, 2012’s Avengers vs. X-Men stands out as a unique tale where these teams find themselves at odds rather than allies.
The backdrop to this conflict is a dire time for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch’s actions in 2005’s House of M, the mutant population has dwindled to mere hundreds, facing the brink of extinction. Additionally, internal rifts have led to Wolverine and Cyclops forming rival schools, further fracturing the team. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from deep space sets the stage for their clash with the Avengers.
The Avengers perceive the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat capable of destroying Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind's survival. This fundamental disagreement escalates into a full-blown war when the Avengers devise a plan to obliterate the Phoenix before it reaches Earth, a move the X-Men interpret as an act of aggression.
One of the fascinating aspects of Avengers vs. X-Men is the unexpected alliances. Wolverine, despite his long history with the Avengers, aligns with them against the X-Men, while Storm finds herself torn between her duties as an Avenger and her role at Wolverine's school. Even Professor X shows less support for Cyclops than one might anticipate.
The narrative unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs, striving to protect the Phoenix Force. The situation dramatically changes in Act 1 when Iron Man's weapon intended to kill the Phoenix instead fragments it, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become known as the Phoenix Five.
In Act 2, the empowered Phoenix Five put the Avengers on the back foot, forcing them to retreat to Wakanda. However, safety is short-lived as Namor leads Atlantis to war, flooding Wakanda. The Avengers then pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M and the Phoenix's intended host, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.
The story reaches its climax in Act 3, where Cyclops, now the Dark Phoenix, is stopped by the combined forces of the X-Men and Avengers, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, the story concludes on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, eradicates the Phoenix Force and restores the mutant gene, offering a new beginning for mutantkind.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain scarce, with only the title and cast confirmed, both of which have seen changes. Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film shifted focus from Kang to Doom following the studio's decision to part ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged even after the release of Captain America: Brave New World.
On the X-Men front, the MCU has introduced a few mutants like Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor, but the classic X-Men have only 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 MCU mutants from Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It's also worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, may yet be revealed as such in the MCU.
Given the current state of the Avengers and the absence of an established X-Men team, why would Marvel attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie now? The answer lies in the multiverse. We theorize that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiverse story, not pitting the MCU's Avengers against a newly introduced X-Men team, but rather against the X-Men from the Fox universe. This could serve as the final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters.
Building on the post-credits scene from The Marvels, where Grammer’s Beast cares for Monica Rambeau after she prevents an Incursion, Avengers: Doomsday might explore the consequences of Monica being trapped in the Fox X-Men universe. The looming threat of another Incursion between the MCU and Earth-10005 could set the stage for a battle to save both worlds.
This narrative could draw inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where the Marvel multiverse faces its final collapse. In Secret Wars #1, the Avengers and the Ultimates fight over the survival of their respective universes, a scenario that could be mirrored in Avengers: Doomsday with the Avengers and X-Men battling over the fate of their worlds.
This setup promises epic superhero showdowns, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, Hulk vs. Colossus, and Thor vs. Storm. The conflict could also explore the divided loyalties of characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool, adding depth to the narrative.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In
While the Avengers and X-Men have their reasons to fight, Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday adds another layer of intrigue. Known for his cunning and ambition, Doom often manipulates events to his advantage, as seen in his attempts to control Wakanda's vibranium and his involvement in Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M.
Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to weaken both teams, making the world more susceptible to his schemes. If Avengers: Doomsday is the Multiverse Saga's equivalent of Captain America: Civil War, Doom would be the Zemo figure orchestrating events from the shadows.
Moreover, Doom's central role in the comic's build-up to Secret Wars, where his war with the Beyonders leads to the multiverse's collapse, suggests a similar narrative arc in the MCU. In Avengers: Doomsday, Doom might be revealed as the catalyst behind the multiverse's instability, using the war between the Avengers and X-Men as a step towards his ultimate goal of godhood.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars, much like Infinity War led into Endgame. Despite the title change, the film remains a crucial setup for Secret Wars.
Drawing from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars comic, Avengers: 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 would leave only Battleworld, a patchwork reality created from the remnants of destroyed universes.
In the comics, Doctor Doom becomes the God Emperor of Battleworld, a role he might also assume in the MCU. The conflict between the Avengers and X-Men could be part of Doom's grand plan to ascend to godhood.
Avengers: Doomsday could serve as a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a dark new status quo where the multiverse is gone, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. In Avengers: Secret Wars, a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, including Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, might unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more insights into the MCU's future, explore 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.
