At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a major highlight being the unexpected return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. Doom will play a pivotal role in the climax of the Multiverse Saga, featuring prominently in 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. Additionally, the return of Kelsey Grammer as Beast in Avengers: Doomsday, following his cameo in 2023's The Marvels, has sparked speculation about the film's plot. Could Avengers: Doomsday be setting the stage for an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown? Let's delve into the Marvel comics' epic crossover event and explore how it could be translated to 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 collaborated, as seen in stories like 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008's Secret Invasion. However, the 2012 crossover event, Avengers vs. X-Men (AvX), stands out for its unique premise: rather than joining forces, these teams find themselves in direct conflict.
The backdrop for AvX is a dire period for the X-Men, following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M, which drastically reduced the mutant population to the brink of extinction. Internal divisions among the X-Men, such as the rift between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space sets the stage for the central conflict. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat to Earth, whereas Cyclops sees it as the salvation for the mutant race. When the Avengers devise a plan to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men perceive it as an act of war.
AvX is notable for its unexpected alliances. Wolverine, despite his long-standing association with the Avengers, aligns with them at the story's outset, while Storm, a member of both teams, faces a difficult decision. The narrative unfolds in three acts: the X-Men initially defend the Phoenix Force, but the situation escalates when Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become known as the Phoenix Five.
In the second act, the empowered mutants push the Avengers back to Wakanda, which Namor subsequently floods. The Avengers' strategy then shifts to Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, as their key to neutralizing the Phoenix Five. The climax in the third act sees Cyclops, consumed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix. The combined forces of the Avengers and X-Men manage to stop him, but not before he kills Charles Xavier. Ultimately, Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, uses the Phoenix's power to restore the mutant gene, leaving even the imprisoned Cyclops with a sense of victory.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
While details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, the film's title and casting have undergone significant changes. Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the shift to Avengers: Doomsday reflects a pivot from Kang to Doctor Doom as the saga's central antagonist. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men's presence is limited to a few characters like Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor, with appearances from alternate universe versions such as Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Kelsey Grammer's Beast.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here's a brief overview of the confirmed mutants in the MCU's Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It's also worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, may yet be revealed as such in the MCU.
Given the current state of both teams, why would Marvel attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline? The answer lies in the multiverse narrative. We speculate that Avengers: Doomsday could be a multiverse conflict between the MCU and the Fox universe's X-Men. This theory builds on the post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau finds herself in the Fox X-Men universe, hinting at potential Incursions between universes.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The MCU's take on AvX might draw inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe leads to a battle with high stakes. Similarly, Avengers: Doomsday could depict a conflict where an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 forces the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival, leading to epic superhero matchups and complex loyalties.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Doctor Doom Fits In -----------------------
Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday is crucial. Known for his cunning and ambition, Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own plans. He might view the X-Men as a means to weaken the Avengers, making Earth more susceptible to his control. Drawing parallels to Secret Wars, where Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, Avengers: Doomsday could reveal Doom as the catalyst behind the multiverse's deteriorating state, using the war as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars ---------------------------------------------Originally intended as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to set the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars comic, where the multiverse's destruction occurs amidst a battle between the Avengers and the Ultimates, Avengers: Doomsday might conclude similarly, with the heroes' failure to unite leading to the multiverse's obliteration.
Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The aftermath could see the emergence of Battleworld, a patchwork reality created from the remnants of destroyed universes, with Doctor Doom as its ruler. Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for the dark scenario in Secret Wars, where a diverse cast of Marvel characters, including Anthony Mackie's Captain America and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more insights into the MCU's future, learn 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.
