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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios dropped a bombshell that has fans buzzing: Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the MCU, this time taking on the role of Doctor Doom. This iconic villain 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*. Adding to the excitement, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in *Doomsday*, following his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. These announcements have led many to speculate whether *Avengers: Doomsday* might secretly be an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie, a scenario that's gaining traction as more details emerge.

The question arises: would the Avengers and X-Men really go head-to-head? Haven't they learned from past superhero clashes like *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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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have been crossing paths since their early 1960s debuts, teaming up in epic events like 1984's *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* and 2008's *Secret Invasion*. However, 2012's *Avengers vs. X-Men* (AvX) stands out because it pits the two teams against each other, rather than having them unite against a common enemy.

The tension in AvX arises during a dark period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's *House of M*, the mutant population is drastically reduced, facing extinction. Internal conflicts also emerge, with Wolverine and Cyclops forming rival schools. Amidst this turmoil, the Phoenix Force heads towards Earth, sparking the feud between the Avengers and X-Men.

The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' last hope for survival. When the Avengers plan to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war. The narrative is enriched by unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers despite his mutant heritage, and Storm torn between her loyalty to both teams.

AvX unfolds in three acts. Initially, 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. In the second act, these empowered mutants dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda, which Namor later floods. The Avengers' strategy shifts to empowering Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-*House of M*, to absorb the Phoenix Force.

The climax in the third act sees Cyclops, now the Dark Phoenix, killing Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, the story ends on a hopeful note with Hope and Scarlet Witch using the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene, even as Cyclops faces imprisonment.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

While details about *Avengers: Doomsday* remain sparse, the film's title and cast have been subject to changes. Originally 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, a situation unchanged by *Captain America: Brave New World*.

The MCU's X-Men roster is also in flux. We've encountered a few mutants, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor, but the classic X-Men characters have only appeared in alternate universes, like Patrick Stewart's Professor X in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* and Kelsey Grammer's Beast in *The Marvels* and *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 consider an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie now? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. We theorize that *Avengers: Doomsday* will explore a conflict between the MCU and the heroes of another universe, specifically the X-Men from the Fox universe. This battle could be the final chapter for Fox's X-Men characters, building on the post-credits scene in *The Marvels* where Monica Rambeau is trapped in a universe similar to Fox's X-Men world.

The film may draw inspiration from the 2015 *Secret Wars* series, where an Incursion between the classic Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe threatens their survival. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 could force the Avengers and X-Men into a battle for their worlds' survival, leading to epic confrontations between iconic characters.

Characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool may face conflicting loyalties, adding depth to the narrative. This clash could be messy and unpredictable, with high stakes and intense action.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

While the Avengers and X-Men have their reasons to fight, Doctor Doom's involvement adds another layer of intrigue. Known for his opportunism and manipulation, Doom could exploit the conflict to weaken both teams, leaving the world vulnerable to his schemes. He might see the X-Men of Earth-10005 as a tool to undermine the Avengers of Earth-616, much like Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*.

In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, setting the stage for *Secret Wars*. We expect *Doomsday* to reveal Doom's role in the deteriorating state of the Marvel multiverse, positioning him as the architect behind the heroes' conflicts.

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 *Infinity War* and *Endgame*. Drawing from *Secret Wars #1*, the film may end with the multiverse's destruction due to the heroes' inability to unite against the looming threat.

If *Doomsday* follows this pattern, the multiverse could be obliterated, leaving only Battleworld, a patchwork reality. Doctor Doom might become the God Emperor of Battleworld, setting the stage for *Secret Wars*, where a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes could team up to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

*Avengers: Doomsday* might be a loose adaptation of *Avengers vs. X-Men*, paving the way for a darker status quo and ultimately leading to the dramatic events of *Secret Wars*. As the MCU continues to evolve, fans can look forward to thrilling developments and the return of beloved characters.

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.