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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the franchise as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to 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*. Adding to the excitement, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in *Doomsday*, following his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. These developments have sparked speculation about the nature of *Avengers: Doomsday*, with many wondering if it might secretly be an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie.

The idea of the Avengers and X-Men clashing raises questions about their motivations. Could they be repeating the mistakes seen in *Batman v Superman*? To understand this potential storyline, let's delve into Marvel's *Avengers vs. X-Men* comic and explore how it could be adapted for the MCU.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 ImagesWhat Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, teaming up in iconic stories like 1984's *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* and 2008's *Secret Invasion*. However, the 2012 *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline is unique because it pits these 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 and threatened their extinction. Additionally, internal conflicts between Wolverine and Cyclops led to the formation of rival schools, further complicating the situation.

The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space escalates the conflict. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war. The storyline is enriched by unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers and Storm torn between her loyalties to both teams.

*Avengers vs. X-Men* unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs fighting to protect the Phoenix Force. The situation changes when Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. In the second act, the Avengers retreat to Wakanda, which is then flooded by Namor, leading them to pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation of the mutant race. The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix and killing Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, the story concludes on a hopeful note as Hope and Scarlet Witch use the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about *Avengers: Doomsday* are still emerging, with the film's title and cast undergoing changes. Initially announced as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, the focus shifted from Kang to Doom after Marvel parted ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men's presence is minimal, with only a few mutants introduced, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from alternate universes, like 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's unclear if Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be revealed as mutants in the MCU.

Given the current state of the Avengers and X-Men in the MCU, an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie might focus on a multiverse conflict. Our theory suggests that *Avengers: Doomsday* could involve a war between the MCU and the heroes of the Fox X-Men universe, building on the post-credits scene from *The Marvels* where Monica Rambeau is trapped in the Fox universe. This setup could lead to an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, forcing the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival.

This narrative could draw inspiration from the 2015 *Secret Wars* series, where an Incursion between the classic Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe leads to a battle for survival. In *Avengers: Doomsday*, the conflict might feature epic superhero matchups, with characters like Captain America facing Wolverine, and loyalties being tested, such as Ms. Marvel's potential connection to the X-Men.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom's role in *Avengers: Doomsday* adds another layer to the story. Known for his cunning and ambition, Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own goals. He might see the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, making Earth more vulnerable to his schemes. Similar to Baron Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*, Doom could be the mastermind behind the scenes, manipulating events to his advantage.

In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the collapse of the multiverse, setting the stage for *Secret Wars*. We anticipate a similar reveal in *Doomsday*, where Doom's machinations are shown to be the cause of the multiverse's instability. His involvement in the war between the Avengers and X-Men could be a strategic move towards his ultimate goal of godhood.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally planned as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, *Avengers: Doomsday* is expected to lead directly into *Avengers: Secret Wars*, much like *Infinity War* led into *Endgame*. Drawing from the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* comic, *Doomsday* might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the Avengers and X-Men's failure to unite against the looming threat.

The film could conclude with the creation of Battleworld, a patchwork reality formed from the remnants of destroyed universes, with Doom as its God Emperor. This setup would pave the way for *Secret Wars*, where a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, including characters from past and present, would unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

*Avengers: Doomsday* could serve as a loose adaptation of *Avengers vs. X-Men*, setting the stage for a darker status quo leading into *Secret Wars*. For more on the MCU's future, 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.