At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting details about the future of the MCU, including the stunning announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to play a pivotal role in the climax of the Multiverse Saga, appearing in both *Avengers: Doomsday* in 2026 and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. Adding to the excitement, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in *Doomsday*, following his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. This news has sparked speculation that *Avengers: Doomsday* might be a secret adaptation of the iconic *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline.
But why would the Avengers and X-Men clash? Haven't they learned from past cinematic battles like *Batman v Superman*? Let's dive into the *Avengers vs. X-Men* comic and explore how it could be brought to life in the MCU.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have been crossing paths since their early 1960s debuts, teaming up in stories like *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* (1984) and *Secret Invasion* (2008). However, *Avengers vs. X-Men* (2012) is unique because it showcases these two teams in direct conflict rather than collaboration.
The tension in *AvX* arises during a dark period for the X-Men. After Scarlet Witch's actions in *House of M* (2005), the mutant population is drastically reduced, facing extinction. Internal divisions further complicate matters, with Wolverine and Cyclops at odds and forming rival schools. Amidst this chaos, the Phoenix Force approaches Earth.
The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat, whereas Cyclops sees it as the salvation of mutantkind. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war. The story's allure lies in unexpected alliances; Wolverine sides with the Avengers, while Storm grapples with her loyalties between the two teams.
*AvX* unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs trying to protect the Phoenix Force. In a twist, Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, creating the Phoenix Five. In the second act, the Avengers retreat to Wakanda, but it's not safe as Namor floods the nation. Their hope rests on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-*House of M*, to absorb the Phoenix Force.
The final act sees Cyclops, now possessed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix. The combined forces of the X-Men and Avengers stop him, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. The story concludes with Hope and Scarlet Witch using the Phoenix to restore the mutant gene, leaving Cyclops in prison yet satisfied with the outcome.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about *Avengers: Doomsday* are scarce, with the film initially announced as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty* before shifting focus from Kang to Doom after Marvel's split with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men's presence is minimal, with only a few mutants introduced, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. Classic X-Men have appeared from other universes, like Patrick Stewart's Professor X in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* and Kelsey Grammer's Beast in *The Marvels*.
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 remains unclear whether Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be revealed as mutants in the MCU.
Given the current state of the Avengers and X-Men, why would Marvel Studios introduce a conflict between them? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. *Avengers: Doomsday* might explore a multiversal war between the MCU and the Fox X-Men universe, building on the post-credits scene in *The Marvels* where Monica Rambeau ends up in a universe similar to Fox's X-Men world. This scenario could lead to an Incursion, a phenomenon that threatens the destruction of both universes.
The film's plot may draw inspiration from both *AvX* and the first chapter of *Secret Wars* (2015), where an Incursion forces the Avengers and Ultimates into a battle for survival. Similarly, *Doomsday* could pit the Avengers against the X-Men, with the fate of their worlds at stake. This setup would allow for thrilling superhero matchups and explore characters' conflicting loyalties, such as Ms. Marvel's connection to her fellow mutants and Deadpool's past aspirations to join the Avengers.
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How Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom's role in *Avengers: Doomsday* is crucial. Known for his opportunism and manipulation, Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his ambitions. In the comics, Doom has manipulated heroes and stolen powers, like those of Silver Surfer and the Beyonder. In *Doomsday*, he might see the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, positioning himself as a behind-the-scenes orchestrator akin to Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*.
Doom's actions in the comics also contribute to the multiverse's collapse, leading to *Secret Wars*. We can expect a similar reveal in *Doomsday*, where Doom's machinations lead to the multiverse's destruction, setting the stage for *Secret Wars* and his rise as the God Emperor of Battleworld.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally titled *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, *Avengers: Doomsday* is expected to lead directly into *Avengers: Secret Wars*, similar to the relationship between *Infinity War* and *Endgame*. Drawing from *Secret Wars #1*, *Doomsday* may end with the multiverse's destruction due to the Avengers and X-Men's failure to unite against the overarching threat.
This scenario would leave only Battleworld, a patchwork reality created from the remnants of dead universes. In the comics, Doom becomes the God Emperor of Battleworld, a role we anticipate he'll take in *Secret Wars*. *Doomsday* may serve as a loose adaptation of *AvX*, setting the stage for the darker status quo of a collapsed multiverse and the emergence of Battleworld.
In *Secret Wars*, a diverse lineup of Marvel characters, from Anthony Mackie's Captain America to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and even Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, could unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom, echoing the narrative arc of *Infinity War* and *Endgame*.
For more on the MCU's future, explore why *Secret Wars* benefits from Downey's Doom and get updates 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.*
