At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. This iconic villain is set to play a pivotal role in the climactic events 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. These revelations have sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be a secret adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. But would the Avengers and X-Men truly clash? Let's delve into this epic comic saga and explore how it could be translated to 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 debut, often teaming up to save the world in stories like 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008's Secret Invasion. However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men storyline is distinct because it features the two teams in conflict rather than collaboration. This tension arises during a challenging time for the X-Men, following the events of 2005's House of M, where Scarlet Witch's actions drastically reduced the mutant population to near extinction. Additionally, a schism within the X-Men led to Wolverine and Cyclops forming rival schools.
The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space escalates the situation. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men perceive it as an act of war, leading to a fierce confrontation.
One intriguing aspect of AvX is the unexpected alliances formed. Wolverine, despite his history with the X-Men, aligns with the Avengers, while Storm, a member of both teams, finds herself torn between loyalties. Even Professor X's support for Cyclops is less than absolute.
The storyline is divided into three acts. In the first act, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force, but the tide turns when Iron Man's weapon splits the entity into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. In the second act, the empowered mutants push the Avengers back to Wakanda, which Namor floods, leading to a desperate hope in Hope Summers, the first mutant born after House of M. The final act sees Cyclops, consumed by the Phoenix Force, turning into Dark Phoenix and killing Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, bonds with the Phoenix Force and restores the mutant gene, bringing a hopeful conclusion to the saga.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
While details about Avengers: Doomsday are limited, the shift from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Doomsday after Marvel's departure from Jonathan Majors suggests a focus on Doctor Doom. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men presence is minimal, with only a few mutants like Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor introduced so far. Classic X-Men characters have appeared in alternate universes, such as 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's unclear if Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be confirmed as mutants in the MCU.
Given the current state of both teams, an Avengers vs. X-Men movie might utilize the multiverse concept. Our theory suggests Doomsday could involve a conflict between the MCU's Avengers and the X-Men from the Fox universe, building on the post-credits scene from The Marvels where Monica Rambeau is trapped in a universe similar to the Fox X-Men's Earth-10005. The looming threat of an Incursion, as seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Marvels, could force a battle between the two teams to prevent the destruction of their respective worlds.
This scenario draws inspiration from the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between the last two universes leads to a battle with no clear winner, resulting in the destruction of the multiverse. Similarly, Doomsday might end tragically, setting the stage for Secret Wars, where the multiverse collapses, and Doctor Doom becomes the God Emperor of Battleworld.
How Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom, known for his cunning and ambition, could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own goals. His history of manipulating heroes and stealing powers from beings like Silver Surfer and the Beyonder makes him a perfect antagonist to orchestrate the war. In the comics, Doom's actions contribute to the multiverse's collapse, and a similar reveal in Doomsday could position him as the mastermind behind the chaos, paving the way for his ascension in Secret Wars.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Secret Wars, much like Infinity War set the stage for Endgame. Drawing from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars comic, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the ongoing conflict between the Avengers and X-Men, leaving only Battleworld. This would set the stage for Secret Wars, where a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, including past and present stars, would unite to restore the multiverse and challenge Doom's rule.
Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting up a grim new reality that leads to Secret Wars. For more on the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars has the perfect villain in Downey's Doom and get updates on every Marvel project 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.
