Avengers: Doomsday - A Secret Avengers vs. X-Men Film?

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will reprise his role, this time 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 return as Beast in Doomsday, following his cameo in 2023's The Marvels.

This news has sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be a covert adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. Could this film pit the Avengers against the X-Men? Let’s delve into the iconic comic series 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 a long history of collaboration, seen in events like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) is unique because it showcases a conflict between the two groups.

The tension in AvX arises from a dire time for the X-Men. After Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), the mutant population has dwindled, and the Phoenix Force approaches Earth. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a threat, while Cyclops sees it as a savior for mutants. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men interpret it as an act of war.

The story unfolds in three acts. In Act 1, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force. Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five. In Act 2, the Phoenix Five overpower the Avengers, who retreat to Wakanda, only to face further challenges. The Avengers then pin their hopes on Hope Summers to absorb the Phoenix Force. Act 3 sees Cyclops become the Dark Phoenix, leading to a climactic battle. Despite the tragic loss of Charles Xavier, the story ends on a hopeful note with the Phoenix Force's power being used to restore the mutant gene.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Currently, details about Avengers: Doomsday are sparse beyond its title and cast, especially after the shift from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty following the departure of Jonathan Majors and the focus moving to Doctor Doom. The MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men 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 quick overview of the confirmed mutants in the MCU from Earth-616:

• Ms. Marvel
• Mr. Immortal
• Namor
• Wolverine
• Ursa Major
• Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph

It remains unclear if Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be revealed as mutants in the MCU.

Given the current state of both teams, why would Marvel Studios introduce an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. We speculate that Avengers: Doomsday could involve a conflict between the MCU and the X-Men of the Fox universe, particularly following the post-credits scene in The Marvels where Monica Rambeau is trapped in the Fox X-Men universe.

The MCU's AvX might draw inspiration from Secret Wars (2015), where an Incursion between the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe leads to a battle for survival. In Doomsday, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 could force the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival, leading to epic superhero confrontations.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom, known for his scheming and manipulation, could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his ambitions. He might see the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, similar to how Zemo manipulated events in Captain America: Civil War. In the comics, Doom's actions contribute to the multiverse's collapse, a plot point that could be mirrored in Doomsday, positioning him as a key antagonist in the lead-up to Secret Wars.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to set the stage for Secret Wars. Drawing parallels to Secret Wars #1, where neither the Avengers nor the Ultimates prevent the multiverse's collapse, Doomsday might end similarly, with the multiverse destroyed and Battleworld formed from its remnants. Doctor Doom could be revealed as the orchestrator behind these events, leading into Secret Wars where he reigns as the God Emperor of Battleworld.

Avengers: Doomsday could serve as a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, paving the way for Secret Wars where heroes from various universes unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

For more insights into the MCU's future, learn about why Secret Wars needs Downey's Doom and explore every upcoming Marvel project.

Note: This article was originally published on 09/02/2024 and updated on 03/26/2025 with the latest news about Avengers: Doomsday.