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

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

Could Avengers: Doomsday be more than it seems? Is it secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? There's a growing belief that this might be the case.

But why would the Avengers and X-Men clash? Haven't they learned from past cinematic missteps 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?

Since their inception in the early 1960s, the Avengers and X-Men have frequently crossed paths, often teaming up to save the world in stories like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men stands out as it pits these teams against each other.

The tension in AvX stems from a dire situation for the X-Men. After Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), the mutant population is drastically reduced, facing extinction. Internal divisions, such as the rift between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space intensifies the conflict.

The Avengers perceive the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat, whereas Cyclops views it as the mutants' last hope for survival. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men interpret it as an act of war.

AvX features unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers and Storm torn between her loyalties. The story unfolds in three acts: initially, the X-Men are the underdogs fighting to protect the Phoenix. The narrative shifts when Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five.

In Act 2, the Phoenix Five dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda, which Namor floods, escalating the conflict. The Avengers' hope lies with Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, who is the Phoenix's intended host.

The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix, becoming Dark Phoenix and killing Charles Xavier. However, Hope and Scarlet Witch ultimately use the Phoenix to restore the mutant gene, ending on a hopeful note despite Cyclops' imprisonment.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday are scarce beyond the title and cast, which have evolved since its initial announcement as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The MCU currently lacks a formal Avengers team, and the X-Men are even less established, with only a few mutants like Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor introduced. Classic X-Men characters have appeared in alternate universes, such as Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Kelsey Grammer's Beast.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

Here’s a quick rundown of every mutant character confirmed to exist in the MCU on Earth-616:

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

Note that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, have yet to be confirmed as such in the MCU.

Why adapt Avengers vs. X-Men now, with the Avengers in disarray and the X-Men not fully established? The answer lies in the multiverse. We theorize that Doomsday will feature a multiversal conflict, pitting the MCU's Avengers against the X-Men of the Fox universe, marking a significant event for the Fox X-Men characters.

Inspired by both AvX and the first chapter of Secret Wars (2015), Doomsday may depict an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, forcing the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival. This setup could deliver epic superhero matchups, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, and explore characters' conflicting loyalties.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey, Jr., is an opportunistic villain who could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men. Known for manipulating heroes and stealing powers, Doom might use the X-Men to weaken the Avengers, setting the stage for his larger plans. Similar to Secret Wars, Doom's actions might be the catalyst for the multiverse's collapse, positioning him as the ultimate antagonist.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is now expected to lead into Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction, leaving a patchwork reality called Battleworld. Doctor Doom could be revealed as the architect behind this new world, setting the stage for Secret Wars, where heroes from various universes unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting up a darker narrative that leads to the multiverse's end and the creation of Battleworld. Secret Wars would then feature a grand assembly of Marvel characters, aiming to restore the multiverse and defeat Doom.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars 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.