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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the future of the MCU, including the unexpected return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. Doom will play a pivotal role in the climax of the Multiverse Saga, featuring prominently in both 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. Additionally, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in Doomsday, expanding on his cameo in 2023's The Marvels. These announcements have sparked speculation about the nature of Avengers: Doomsday, with some suggesting it might be a secret adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline.

The idea of the Avengers and X-Men clashing raises questions about their motivations. Could this be a repeat of the lessons learned from Batman v Superman? Let's delve into the iconic Marvel comic event Avengers vs. X-Men and explore how it might be translated into the MCU.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

Since their inception in the early 1960s, the Avengers and X-Men have frequently crossed paths, collaborating in epic events like 1984’s Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008’s Secret Invasion. However, 2012's Avengers vs. X-Men stands out as a unique tale where these teams are at odds.

The tension in AvX stems from a dire situation for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M, the mutant population has dwindled to a mere few hundred, facing extinction. Internal conflicts further complicate matters, with Wolverine and Cyclops forming rival factions. Amidst this turmoil, the Phoenix Force approaches Earth, setting the stage for conflict.

The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind. Their differing perspectives lead to a clash when the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, prompting the X-Men to declare war.

The narrative of AvX is compelling as it features heroes aligning unexpectedly. Wolverine, despite his history with the X-Men, initially sides with the Avengers, while Storm grapples with her dual affiliations. Even Professor X's stance on Cyclops' actions is more nuanced than anticipated.

The story unfolds in three acts. In the first, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix, but Iron Man's weapon splits it into five fragments, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, creating the Phoenix Five. Act Two sees the Avengers retreating to Wakanda, which is subsequently flooded by Namor, leading to a desperate strategy centered around Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M.

The climax in Act Three involves Cyclops becoming the Dark Phoenix, leading to a tragic confrontation where he kills Charles Xavier. Despite this, the story concludes on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, uses the Phoenix to restore the mutant gene, leaving even the imprisoned Cyclops with a sense of victory.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, with only the title and cast confirmed. Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film's focus shifted from Kang to Doom following the studio's split with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged even after Captain America: Brave New World.

On the X-Men front, the MCU has introduced a few mutants like Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor, but classic X-Men characters have only appeared from alternate universes, such as Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast in The Marvels, and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.

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

Notably, 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 choose to adapt Avengers vs. X-Men? The answer likely lies in the multiverse narrative. Our theory suggests that Avengers: Doomsday might chronicle a conflict between the MCU's heroes and those from the Fox X-Men universe, following the post-credits scene from The Marvels where Grammer’s Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, who is trapped in the Fox universe.

This potential storyline draws inspiration from both Avengers vs. X-Men and the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series. In Secret Wars, the Marvel multiverse is collapsing, and the last two universes engage in a war to prevent mutual destruction. Similarly, Avengers: Doomsday might see an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, forcing the Avengers and X-Men into a battle for survival.

Such a conflict would provide thrilling superhero matchups and explore characters' divided loyalties. For instance, Ms. Marvel might face a dilemma upon meeting other mutants, while Deadpool's aspirations to join the Avengers could add a unique twist to the narrative.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How Doctor Doom Fits In

With a looming conflict between the Avengers and X-Men, where does Doctor Doom fit into the narrative? Known for his opportunism and manipulation, Doom could exploit the chaos to further his own ambitions. He might see the X-Men of Earth-10005 as a means to weaken the Avengers, making Earth-616 more vulnerable to his schemes.

Doom's role in the comics as a central figure in the build-up to Secret Wars, where his war with the Beyonders leads to the multiverse's collapse, suggests a similar role in Doomsday. Here, he might orchestrate the war between the Avengers and X-Men as part of his plan to achieve godhood and reshape reality.

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: 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 may end with the multiverse's destruction, with the Avengers and X-Men too divided to prevent it.

The film could conclude with the formation of Battleworld, a patchwork reality crafted by Doom, setting the stage for Secret Wars. Here, a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, including Anthony Mackie's Captain America and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, would unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Avengers: Doomsday appears to be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a darker status quo where the multiverse is destroyed and Battleworld emerges. In Avengers: Secret Wars, the heroes' journey to restore reality and defeat Doom will unfold, promising a thrilling conclusion to the Multiverse Saga.

For more insights into the MCU's future, learn why Secret Wars now has the perfect villain in Downey's 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.