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 MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the franchise as 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 sparked speculation about the possibility of *Avengers: Doomsday* being a secret adaptation of the *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline. This epic crossover comic, where the Avengers and X-Men clash over the fate of the Phoenix Force, could potentially be brought to life in the MCU. But why would these two teams fight, especially after the lessons learned from *Batman v Superman*? Let's delve into the *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline and explore how it might be adapted for the MCU.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, starting from their early 1960s debuts. They've joined forces in numerous stories, such as *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* in 1984 and *Secret Invasion* in 2008. However, *Avengers vs. X-Men* (AvX), released in 2012, is unique because it pits the two teams against each other rather than having them work together.

The conflict in AvX arises during a dark period for the X-Men, following the events of *House of M* in 2005, where Scarlet Witch's actions reduced the mutant population to near extinction. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space further complicates the situation. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a dangerous threat to Earth, while Cyclops believes it represents the last hope for mutantkind. This disagreement escalates into a full-blown war when the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, and the X-Men see it as an act of aggression.

The story adds intrigue by showing unexpected alliances. Wolverine, despite his history with the X-Men, sides with the Avengers due to his ongoing feud with Cyclops. Storm, who is both an Avenger and a teacher at Wolverine's school, finds herself torn between the two teams. Even Professor X is less supportive of Cyclops than one might expect.

The narrative unfolds in three acts. In the first act, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix from the Avengers' destruction plan. However, 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 are on the defensive, retreating to Wakanda, which is subsequently flooded by Namor. Their hope lies in Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-*House of M*, who is the original target of the Phoenix. The final act sees Cyclops becoming the Dark Phoenix, leading to a climactic battle where he kills 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.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about *Avengers: Doomsday* are scarce beyond the title and cast. Originally announced as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, the film's focus shifted from Kang to Doctor Doom following Marvel's decision to part ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks a formal Avengers team, even after *Captain America: Brave New World*.

The MCU's X-Men presence is also minimal. Notable mutants include Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor, with cameo appearances from other universes, such as Patrick Stewart's Professor X, Kelsey Grammer's Beast, and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

Here's a list of confirmed mutants in the MCU, residing on Earth-616:

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

It's worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, may eventually be revealed as such in the MCU.

Given the current state of both teams, why would Marvel Studios adapt *Avengers vs. X-Men* now? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. We theorize that *Avengers: Doomsday* might feature a conflict between the MCU and heroes from another universe, specifically the Fox X-Men universe. This theory is supported by the post-credits scene in *The Marvels*, where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, who appears trapped in the Fox X-Men universe.

This scenario mirrors the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* series, where the Marvel multiverse faces its final collapse. An Incursion between the classic Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe leads to a battle where one Earth must be sacrificed to save both universes. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 in *Avengers: Doomsday* could force the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their world's survival.

This setup allows for epic superhero matchups, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, Hulk vs. Colossus, and Thor vs. Storm. Characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool might find themselves torn between loyalties, adding depth to the conflict.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey, Jr., is an opportunistic villain who often seeks to manipulate events for his gain. In the context of *Avengers: Doomsday*, Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to weaken both teams, making Earth-616 more vulnerable to his plans. Similar to Baron Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*, Doom could be the mastermind orchestrating the chaos from behind the scenes.

In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, setting the stage for *Secret Wars*. We anticipate a similar reveal in *Doomsday*, where Doom's machinations are responsible for the multiverse's dire state. The war between the Avengers and X-Men could be a crucial part of his plan to ascend to godhood.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally intended as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, *Doomsday* is now a pivotal lead-in to *Secret Wars*. Drawing inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* comic, *Doomsday* might end with the multiverse's destruction, leaving only Battleworld, a patchwork reality formed from the remnants of destroyed universes.

In this scenario, Doom would become the God Emperor of Battleworld, setting the stage for *Secret Wars*. The film could feature a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes from various universes, including Anthony Mackie's Captain America, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, working together to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

*Avengers: Doomsday* appears to be a loose adaptation of *Avengers vs. X-Men*, paving the way for the dark status quo of *Secret Wars*, where the multiverse is gone, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. As with *Infinity War*, the MCU must first descend into darkness before a new dawn can rise.

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

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