Avengers: Doomsday - A Secret Clash with X-Men?

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. Doom 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. Another unexpected reveal was Kelsey Grammer reprising his role as Beast in Doomsday, following his cameo in The Marvels in 2023.

Speculation is rife that Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. But why would these two iconic teams clash? To understand this, let's delve into the comic book event and consider how it could translate to the MCU.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have been intersecting since their early 1960s debut, collaborating on various occasions, such as in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) is unique because it portrays these teams in conflict rather than cooperation.

The tension arises during a bleak period for the X-Men, following the events of House of M (2005), where Scarlet Witch drastically reduced the mutant population, bringing them to the brink of extinction. Additionally, internal conflicts, like the schism between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space ignites the feud. The Avengers perceive it as a catastrophic threat to Earth, whereas Cyclops sees it as a potential salvation for mutants. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

AvX showcases unexpected alliances; for instance, Wolverine sides with the Avengers despite his X-Men roots, while Storm grapples with her dual allegiance. The story unfolds in three acts. In the first, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force. At the end of Act 1, Iron Man's weapon inadvertently splits the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five.

In Act 2, the Phoenix Five dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda, which Namor floods. The Avengers' hope lies with Hope Summers, the first mutant born after House of M, and the Phoenix's intended host. The final act sees Cyclops, consumed by the Phoenix Force, turning into the Dark Phoenix. The combined efforts of the Avengers and X-Men stop him, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. Ultimately, Hope and Scarlet Witch use the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene, marking a hopeful end despite Cyclops' imprisonment.

Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

While details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, beyond its title and cast, the film has evolved from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty after Marvel cut ties with Jonathan Majors, shifting focus from Kang to Doom. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged by Captain America: Brave New World.

On the X-Men front, the MCU has introduced only a few mutants so far, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. Classic X-Men have appeared from alternate universes, including 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 every confirmed mutant character in the MCU, residing on Earth-616:

• Ms. Marvel
• Mr. Immortal
• Namor
• Wolverine
• Ursa Major
• Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph

It's uncertain whether Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be acknowledged as mutants in the MCU.

Given the current state of the Avengers and the nascent presence of the X-Men, why would Marvel Studios attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie now? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. We speculate that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU's heroes against the X-Men from the Fox universe. This could serve as a final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters.

Our theory hinges on the post-credits scene from The Marvels, where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, who appears 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 Avengers: Doomsday.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The film might draw inspiration from both AvX and the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series. In Secret Wars #1, the Marvel multiverse's final moments see the classic and Ultimate universes collide in an Incursion, forcing the Avengers and Ultimates into conflict. Similarly, Avengers: Doomsday could feature an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, with the Avengers and X-Men battling for their worlds' survival.

This setup promises epic superhero showdowns, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, Hulk vs. Colossus, and Thor vs. Storm. Characters might face conflicting loyalties, with Ms. Marvel and Deadpool caught between worlds.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Doctor Doom, known for his schemes and manipulations, could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own ambitions. Doom might view the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, making Earth-616 more susceptible to his plans. His role could mirror Zemo's in Captain America: Civil War, orchestrating events from behind the scenes.

In the comics, Doom's war with the Beyonders precipitates the multiverse's collapse, leading to Secret Wars. We anticipate Doomsday will reveal Doom's responsibility for the MCU's multiverse crisis, using the Avengers-X-Men war as a step toward his ultimate goal of creating Battleworld.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to lead into Secret Wars similarly to how Infinity War led into Endgame. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the Avengers and X-Men's failure to unite against the real threat.

The aftermath could see Doom as the God Emperor of Battleworld, a reality pieced together from the remnants of destroyed universes. Secret Wars would then feature a diverse cast from across the Marvel multiverse, including Anthony Mackie's Captain America and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, uniting to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Avengers: Doomsday may loosely adapt Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a grim reality where the multiverse is destroyed, leaving only Battleworld. This dark turn will pave the way for the hopeful resolution in Secret Wars.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars needs Downey's Doom and check out the latest on every upcoming Marvel movie 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.