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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting news about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. is returning to the MCU to play Doctor Doom. Doom will play a crucial role in the climax of the Multiverse Saga, featuring prominently in 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.

This has sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie. While the idea of the Avengers and X-Men clashing might remind fans of Batman v Superman, Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men storyline offers a rich narrative that could be adapted into the MCU. Let's explore this epic crossover comic and its potential adaptation.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration and conflict, dating back to their debuts in the early 1960s. They've joined forces in numerous stories, such as Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) is unique because it pits these two teams against each other.

The tension arises during a challenging time for the X-Men, following the events of House of M (2005), where Scarlet Witch's actions drastically reduced the mutant population, pushing them toward extinction. Internal divisions, particularly between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space escalates the conflict. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' last hope for survival. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men perceive it as an act of war.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The storyline unfolds with unexpected alliances. Wolverine, despite his ties to the X-Men, sides with the Avengers, while Storm grapples with her dual roles. The narrative progresses through three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force, but Iron Man's weapon splits it into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. Act 2 sees the Avengers on the defensive, retreating to Wakanda, which Namor floods. Their hope lies with Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, intended to absorb the Phoenix Force. The final act culminates in Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix and killing Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, the story ends on a hopeful note as Hope and Scarlet Witch restore the mutant gene.

Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

While details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, the film's title and cast have evolved, initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty before shifting focus from Kang to Doom following the studio's decision to part ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks a formal Avengers team, and the X-Men are even less organized, with only a few mutants introduced, like Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor, and appearances from alternate universe characters such as Kelsey Grammer's Beast and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

Here’s a quick rundown of the confirmed mutants in the MCU's Earth-616:

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

It's worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, have yet to be confirmed as such in the MCU.

Given the current state of both teams, why would Marvel Studios attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? The answer lies in the multiverse. We speculate that Avengers: Doomsday will involve a conflict between the MCU and the Fox X-Men universe, possibly as the final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters. This theory is supported by the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Grammer's Beast cares for Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau, suggesting a connection to the Fox X-Men universe.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The film might draw inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between universes forces a battle between the Avengers and the Ultimates. In Doomsday, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 could set the stage for the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival. This setup promises thrilling superhero matchups, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, and could lead to complex character dynamics, with figures like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool caught between loyalties.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday is pivotal. Known for his ambition and manipulation, Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to weaken them, much like Zemo did in Captain America: Civil War. In the comics, Doom's actions contribute to the multiverse's collapse, and we anticipate a similar reveal in Doomsday, positioning him as the mastermind behind the multiverse's destruction and the creator of Battleworld for Secret Wars.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars, akin to the relationship between Infinity War and Endgame. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the heroes' inability to unite against the threat. This would set the stage for Secret Wars, where characters from various universes, including Anthony Mackie's Captain America, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, would unite to restore the multiverse and confront Doom's rule over Battleworld.

Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)

In essence, Avengers: Doomsday could serve as a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting up a dark new status quo for the MCU, leading to the epic showdown in Secret Wars.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars benefits from Downey's portrayal of Doom, and stay updated on all Marvel movies 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.