Avengers: Doomsday Hides Avengers vs. X-Men Clash

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting news about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including the surprising return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. This iconic character will play a pivotal role in the culmination 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.

This announcement has sparked speculation about whether Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. Could this film set the stage for an epic battle between these two powerhouse teams? Let's delve into the Avengers vs. X-Men comic and explore how it could be adapted for the MCU.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, dating back to their early days in the 1960s. They've united in various comic arcs, such as Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars in 1984 and Secret Invasion in 2008. However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men storyline marks a significant departure, pitting the two teams against each other.

The tension arises during a dark period for the X-Men, following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M, which drastically reduced the mutant population. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space further escalates the conflict. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as a potential savior for mutants. This disagreement leads to a full-scale war.

The story is divided into three acts. Initially, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force, but the Avengers' attempt to destroy it results in the entity splitting into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik. These newly empowered mutants, known as the Phoenix Five, dominate the second act, pushing the Avengers to seek refuge in Wakanda. The Avengers pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation of the mutant gene, to absorb the Phoenix Force.

The final act sees Cyclops, consumed by the Phoenix Force, become the Dark Phoenix. Despite the tragic loss of Charles Xavier, the combined efforts of the Avengers and X-Men lead to the Phoenix's ultimate destruction and the restoration of the mutant gene.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Currently, details about Avengers: Doomsday are sparse beyond the title and some cast announcements. Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film's focus shifted from Kang to Doctor Doom following Marvel's decision to part ways with Jonathan Majors. The MCU lacks a formal Avengers team post-Captain America: Brave New World, and the X-Men presence is minimal, with only a few mutants introduced so far, such as Kamala Khan and Namor.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

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

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

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

The question remains: why adapt Avengers vs. X-Men now? The answer likely lies in the multiverse narrative. We theorize that Avengers: Doomsday could be a multiversal story, pitting the MCU against the heroes of another universe, specifically the X-Men from the Fox universe. This could be the final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters, building on the post-credits scene from The Marvels where Monica Rambeau finds herself in the Fox X-Men universe.

This scenario draws inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion threatens the survival of both the classic Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 could force the Avengers and X-Men into a battle for their worlds' survival.

This setup promises epic superhero confrontations, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine or Thor vs. Storm. Characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool may face conflicting loyalties, adding depth to the narrative.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom's role is crucial, as he is an opportunistic villain known for manipulating events to his advantage. He might see the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men as a chance to weaken both teams, making the world more susceptible to his schemes. In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, and a similar reveal could be in store for Doomsday, setting the stage for Secret Wars.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Secret Wars, much like Infinity War led into Endgame. The film might mirror the tragic outcome of Secret Wars #1, where the multiverse collapses while heroes fight among themselves.

Avengers: Doomsday could end with the multiverse's destruction, leaving behind Battleworld, a patchwork reality. Doctor Doom, as the God Emperor of Battleworld, may have orchestrated the conflict as part of his plan to achieve godhood. This sets the stage for Secret Wars, where heroes from across the multiverse, including past and present Marvel stars, unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

For more on the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars benefits from Downey's portrayal of Doom and get updated on all upcoming Marvel projects.

Note: This article was originally published on 09/02/2024 and updated on 03/26/2025 with the latest news about Avengers: Doomsday.