At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting news about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with the stunning announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. This iconic character will play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga's climax, featured 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 development raises intriguing questions: Could *Avengers: Doomsday* be a secret adaptation of the *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline? Let's delve into the comic's plot and explore how it might translate to the MCU.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have shared numerous adventures since their inception in the early 1960s, collaborating in epic events like 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008's Secret Invasion. However, the 2012 storyline Avengers vs. X-Men (AvX) is unique because it pits these two teams against each other.
AvX unfolds during a challenging period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M, the mutant population is drastically reduced, teetering on the brink of extinction. Internal conflicts also escalate, with Wolverine and Cyclops leading rival factions. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space adds fuel to the fire.
The Avengers view the Phoenix Force as a catastrophic threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' last hope for survival. The Avengers' attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force sparks a war with the X-Men. Interestingly, allegiances are not straightforward: Wolverine aligns with the Avengers despite his mutant heritage, and Storm finds herself torn between her roles as an Avenger and a mentor at Wolverine's school.
The narrative unfolds in three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force, but Iron Man's weapon splits it into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. Act 2 sees the Avengers on the defensive, retreating to Wakanda, which Namor later floods. The Avengers pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.
Act 3 culminates in a final showdown where Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becomes the Dark Phoenix and kills Charles Xavier. However, the story ends on a hopeful note: Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, eradicates the Phoenix Force and restores the mutant gene, even as Cyclops faces imprisonment.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, with the title and cast still evolving. Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film shifted focus from Kang to Doom following the studio's separation from Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged even after Captain America: Brave New World.
The MCU's X-Men presence is equally fragmented. So far, only a few mutants like Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor have been introduced. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from other 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 Wolverines in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here’s a list of mutants confirmed in the MCU's Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
Note that while Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are traditionally mutants, their status in the MCU remains unclear.
The rationale behind adapting Avengers vs. X-Men now, with one team in disarray and the other non-existent, lies in the multiverse concept. We theorize that Avengers: Doomsday could chronicle a conflict between the MCU and the heroes of the Fox universe, marking a final farewell to the Fox X-Men characters.
Our theory builds on the post-credits scene from The Marvels, where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, who seems trapped in the Fox X-Men universe. This unresolved scenario could lead to another Incursion between the MCU and the X-Men's Earth-10005, setting the stage for a battle over the survival of both worlds.
The film may draw inspiration from the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between the classic Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe forces the Avengers and Ultimates into a conflict with high stakes. Similarly, in Avengers: Doomsday, the Avengers and X-Men could clash over the impending destruction of their respective Earths, leading to epic superhero confrontations.
This setup could also explore internal conflicts and loyalties among characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool, adding depth to the narrative.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom, known for his cunning and ambition, could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own goals. Historically, Doom has manipulated heroes and stolen powers, as seen with Silver Surfer and the Beyonder. He might view the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, making Earth more susceptible to his control.
Doom's involvement in the comic Secret Wars as a key player in the multiverse's collapse could translate to Doomsday, positioning him as the orchestrator of the multiverse's demise. His machinations could lead to a war between the Avengers and X-Men, aligning with his larger plan to reshape reality.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to set the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction, resulting in Battleworld, a reality pieced together from remnants of dead universes.
In this scenario, Doom could emerge as the God Emperor of Battleworld, using the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men as a means to achieve godhood. The failure of the heroes to unite against the multiverse's collapse could mirror the tragic outcome in Secret Wars #1, paving the way for a darker status quo leading into Secret Wars.
Avengers: Doomsday could serve as a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for Secret Wars where a diverse array of Marvel characters, from Anthony Mackie's Captain America to Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more on the future of the MCU, discover 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.
