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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including the thrilling announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. This iconic villain is set to play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga, prominently featured in both Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Additionally, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in Doomsday, expanding on his cameo in 2023's The Marvels.

Speculation abounds that Avengers: Doomsday might be a covert adaptation of the epic comic crossover, Avengers vs. X-Men. This raises the intriguing question: Could we see the Avengers and X-Men at odds in this film? Let's delve into the original Avengers vs. X-Men storyline 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 had a rich history of collaboration and conflict since their inception in the early 1960s. They've joined forces in monumental events like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars in 1984 and Secret Invasion in 2008. However, Avengers vs. X-Men in 2012 is unique as it pits these two teams against each other.

The tension arises from a dire situation for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M in 2005, the mutant population dwindled to a mere few hundred, facing the brink of extinction. Internal divisions, such as the schism between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space intensifies the conflict.

The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the salvation for mutantkind. When the Avengers devise a plan to destroy the Phoenix before it reaches Earth, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war.

Avengers vs. X-Men features surprising alliances. Wolverine, despite his history with the X-Men, aligns with the Avengers due to his fallout with Cyclops. Storm, torn between her affiliations, adds another layer of complexity. Even Professor X's stance diverges from what one might expect.

The story unfolds in three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men, as underdogs, strive to protect the Phoenix. However, Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, now known as the Phoenix Five.

Act 2 sees the Phoenix Five overpowering the Avengers, who retreat to Wakanda. Namor's actions lead to Atlantis flooding Wakanda. The Avengers pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, to absorb the Phoenix and end the Phoenix Five's reign.

In the climactic Act 3, Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix, becomes the Dark Phoenix. The combined forces of the Avengers and X-Men defeat him, but not before Cyclops kills Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, the story concludes on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's aid, eradicates the Phoenix and restores the mutant gene.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday are sparse beyond its title and cast. Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film's direction shifted following Marvel's decision to move away from Jonathan Majors and focus on Doctor Doom. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged by Captain America: Brave New World.

The MCU's X-Men presence is even more fragmented. Notable mutants include Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor, while classic X-Men characters have appeared in alternate universes, such as Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Kelsey Grammer's Beast.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

Here's a list of confirmed mutants in the MCU's Earth-616:

• 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 the absence of a cohesive X-Men team, why would Marvel pursue an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? The answer lies in the multiverse narrative. We theorize that Avengers: Doomsday could be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU's Avengers against the X-Men from the Fox universe, serving as a final showcase for these characters.

Building on the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau finds herself in the Fox X-Men universe, Avengers: Doomsday might explore an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005. This scenario draws inspiration from the 2015 Secret Wars series, where the Marvel and Ultimate universes face a similar threat.

In Secret Wars #1, the Avengers and Ultimates battle over the survival of their worlds, knowing one must be destroyed to save the other. Similarly, Avengers: Doomsday could depict a conflict between the Avengers and X-Men, driven by the need to prevent an Incursion from annihilating both Earths. This setup promises thrilling superhero confrontations and complex loyalties, such as Ms. Marvel's potential allegiance with fellow mutants or Deadpool's reaction to fighting his former idols.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday is crucial, despite the existing conflict between the Avengers and X-Men. Known for his cunning and power-hungry nature, Doom often manipulates events to his advantage. He might exploit the conflict to weaken the Avengers, making Earth-616 more vulnerable to his schemes. In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse in Secret Wars, a narrative likely to be mirrored in Doomsday, positioning him as the orchestrator of the multiverse's demise and the architect of Battleworld.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally envisioned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end in tragedy, with the Avengers and X-Men failing to unite against the multiverse's collapse. This sets the stage for Battleworld, a patchwork reality ruled by Doom.

Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, leading to a dark reality where the multiverse is destroyed, and Battleworld emerges. Avengers: Secret Wars will likely feature a diverse lineup of Marvel characters from various universes, united to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars has found its perfect villain in Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom and stay updated 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.