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 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. Adding to the excitement, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in Doomsday, following his cameo in 2023's The Marvels.
This news has sparked speculation about whether Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. Given the current state of the MCU, with the Avengers team in disarray and the X-Men yet to be fully introduced, this theory raises intriguing questions about how such a conflict could unfold.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, seen in events like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and Secret Invasion. However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men storyline is unique because 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, which drastically reduced the mutant population. The arrival of the Phoenix Force adds fuel to the fire. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as a potential savior for mutantkind. This disagreement leads to a full-blown conflict.
The story unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs, fighting to protect the Phoenix. The situation escalates when Iron Man's attempt to destroy the Phoenix splits it into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. In the second act, the Avengers are on the defensive, retreating to Wakanda, which is then flooded by Namor. Their hope lies with Hope Summers, who they believe can absorb the Phoenix Force.
The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix and killing Charles Xavier. However, the story concludes on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's help, eradicates the Phoenix Force and restores the mutant gene.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday are scarce, but the shift from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Doomsday suggests a significant change in the Multiverse Saga's direction. The MCU currently lacks a formal Avengers team, and the X-Men are only beginning to be introduced, with characters like Kamala Khan and Namor confirmed as mutants.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here’s a quick rundown of every mutant character confirmed to exist in the MCU so far, all from Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It's unclear if Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be revealed as mutants in the MCU.
Given the current state of the MCU, an Avengers vs. X-Men movie might involve a multiverse conflict, possibly pitting the MCU's Avengers against the X-Men from the Fox universe. This theory is supported by the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau is trapped in a universe similar to the Fox X-Men's Earth-10005.
The MCU's Avengers vs. X-Men could draw inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between universes forces the Avengers and the Ultimates into a battle for survival. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 could set the stage for a conflict between the Avengers and the X-Men, with the fate of their worlds hanging in the balance.
This setup would allow for epic superhero matchups and explore characters' conflicting loyalties, such as Ms. Marvel's potential connection to the X-Men or Deadpool's past aspirations to join the Avengers.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday could be that of an opportunistic villain, manipulating the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to his advantage. Known for his schemes to gain power, Doom might see the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, making Earth more vulnerable to his plans. His involvement could mirror that of Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, orchestrating events from behind the scenes.
Doom's actions in the comics, such as his war with the Beyonders leading to the multiverse's collapse, suggest he could be the catalyst for the MCU's multiverse crisis. A war between the Avengers and X-Men might be just one part of his grand plan to reshape reality.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from the 2015 Secret Wars comic, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction, setting the stage for the creation of Battleworld.
In this scenario, the Avengers and X-Men's failure to unite against the multiverse's collapse could lead to its obliteration. Doom, as the God Emperor of Battleworld, would then be poised to rule over the remnants of the multiverse, setting up the conflict in Secret Wars.
Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, paving the way for a dark new status quo where the multiverse is gone, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. In Secret Wars, a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes would then work to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more on the future of the MCU, explore why Secret Wars finally has the villain it needs in Downey's Doom, and stay updated on every Marvel movie 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.
