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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates on the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga's climax, featuring prominently in 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. Another thrilling revelation is that Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in Doomsday, following his cameo in 2023's The Marvels.

Could there be more to this story? Speculation is rife that Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie. This raises the question: would these two teams really fight? After all, haven't they learned from the lessons of Batman v Superman? Let's delve into Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men storyline and explore how it could be adapted for the MCU.

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18 ImagesWhat Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of interactions since their debut in the early 1960s, often teaming up to save the world in 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 tale of conflict rather than cooperation.

The tension in AvX arises during a grim period 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, teetering on the brink of extinction. Internal divisions have also emerged, with Wolverine and Cyclops at odds, leading to the formation of rival schools. Amidst this turmoil, the Phoenix Force approaches Earth, setting the stage for a fierce rivalry.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)This cosmic entity sparks the feud between the Avengers and X-Men. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat capable of destroying Earth, while Cyclops sees it as a potential savior for mutants. When the Avengers devise a plan to obliterate the Phoenix Force before it reaches Earth, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war.

AvX's intrigue lies in the unexpected alliances. Wolverine, despite his history with the X-Men, initially sides with the Avengers due to his rift with Cyclops. Storm, who is both an Avenger and a teacher at Wolverine's school, finds herself torn between the two groups. Even Professor X's support for Cyclops is less than absolute.

The narrative unfolds in three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men, as underdogs, fight to protect the Phoenix Force. The dynamics shift when Iron Man’s weapon intended to destroy the Phoenix instead splits it into five fragments, which empower Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, turning them into the Phoenix Five.

Act 2 sees the Phoenix Five dominating the Avengers, who retreat to Wakanda. However, Namor's aggressive move to flood the country intensifies the conflict. The Avengers' strategy hinges on Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation of the mutant race, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.

Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)Act 3 culminates in a final battle where Cyclops, now the Dark Phoenix, kills Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, Hope, with Scarlet Witch’s assistance, bonds with the Phoenix and eradicates it, restoring the mutant gene. Even Cyclops, imprisoned, views this as a victory.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men -------------------------------------------

Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, with only the title and cast confirmed. Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film shifted focus from Kang to Doom following the studio's split with Jonathan Majors. 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, with only a few mutants introduced, including Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. Classic X-Men have 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 multiple Wolverines in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

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

Ms. MarvelMr. ImmortalNamorWolverineUrsa MajorSabra/Ruth Bat-SeraphIt's noteworthy that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, have yet to be confirmed as such in the MCU.

Why would Marvel Studios consider an Avengers vs. X-Men movie when one team is disorganized and the other non-existent? The answer lies in the multiverse. We theorize that the MCU's version of Avengers vs. X-Men will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against the heroes of another universe—specifically, the X-Men from the Fox universe. This could serve as a final farewell to the Fox X-Men characters.

Our theory suggests that Avengers: Doomsday will build upon the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Grammer’s Beast cares for Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau, who appears trapped in the Fox X-Men universe. This unresolved plot point has significant implications for both worlds. Given the known effects of Incursions, another rift between the MCU and Earth-10005 could lead to the destruction of both Earths.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)Avengers: Doomsday's narrative may draw inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series. In Secret Wars #1, the Marvel multiverse is on the brink of collapse, with the classic and Ultimate universes fighting to survive an Incursion. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 might force the Avengers and X-Men into a battle for survival.

This setup promises epic superhero confrontations, such as Captain America versus Wolverine, Hulk versus Colossus, and Thor versus Storm. The X-Men might even enlist Deadpool, making the battle unpredictable.

Characters could face internal conflicts. Ms. Marvel, an Earth-616 native, might struggle with her allegiance upon meeting other mutants. Deadpool, who once dreamed of joining the Avengers, could find himself in a conflicted position.

Do you think Avengers: Doomsday is secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men story? ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, it's time for them to fight.No, Marvel is building to something else.

AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In -----------------------

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)While the Avengers and X-Men have their reasons to clash, Doctor Doom's role remains crucial. Known for his ambition and manipulation, Doom often seeks power by any means necessary, including stealing the abilities of others like Silver Surfer or the Beyonder. He has a history of orchestrating conflicts from the shadows, as seen in his attempts to control Wakanda’s vibranium and his involvement in Scarlet Witch’s actions against the mutant gene.

Doom might see the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men as an opportunity to weaken both teams, making the world ripe for his takeover. If Doomsday mirrors Captain America: Civil War within the Multiverse Saga, Doom could be the Zemo-like figure pulling the strings.

Moreover, Doom's significance extends to the buildup of Secret Wars in the comics, where his war with the Beyonders leads to the multiverse's collapse. We anticipate a similar revelation in Doomsday, showing that Doom's actions are responsible for the multiverse's deteriorating state. For Doom, a war between the Avengers and X-Men is merely a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal of reshaping reality.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars ---------------------------------------------

Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers 5 is now Avengers: Doomsday, serving as a crucial precursor to Avengers: Secret Wars. Like Infinity War and Endgame, Doomsday is expected to set the stage for Secret Wars.

Drawing from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars comic, Doomsday might end without a clear winner, mirroring the comic's scenario where the multiverse collapses as heroes fight. The Avengers and X-Men, distracted by their conflict, fail to address the multiverse's imminent destruction, much like in Infinity War.

Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)If Doomsday follows this path, the multiverse will be destroyed, leaving only Battleworld—a patchwork reality crafted from the remnants of dead universes. In the comics, Doctor Doom becomes the God Emperor of Battleworld with Molecule Man's aid. We expect Doomsday to position Doom similarly, using the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his ambitions of godhood.

Avengers: Doomsday might loosely adapt Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a dark new reality where the multiverse is gone, and all that remains is Battleworld. In Avengers: Secret Wars, a diverse cast of Marvel characters, from Anthony Mackie’s Captain America to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, could unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom, echoing the narrative arc of Infinity War and Endgame.

For more insights into the MCU's future, learn why Secret Wars benefits from Downey's portrayal of Doom, and stay updated on all Marvel movies 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.