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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled thrilling updates on the future of the MCU, including the surprising return of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Doom will play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga, culminating in 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. This news has sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be setting the stage for an epic Avengers vs. X-Men showdown.

Is it possible that Avengers: Doomsday is secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie? There’s growing reason to believe this might be the case. While fans might worry about the two teams clashing, reminiscent of 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 intersecting since their inception in the early 1960s, collaborating in iconic stories like 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008's Secret Invasion. However, 2012's Avengers vs. X-Men takes a different turn, showcasing the teams in conflict rather than cooperation.

The tension in AvX stems from a tumultuous period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch’s actions in 2005's House of M, the mutant population dwindles to near extinction. Internal conflicts also arise, with Wolverine and Cyclops splitting into rival factions. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space further escalates the situation.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The Avengers view the Phoenix Force as a catastrophic threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as a potential savior for mutantkind. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war. The story sees unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers and Storm torn between her loyalties.

AvX unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs, but the scenario shifts when Iron Man’s weapon splits the Phoenix Force into five fragments, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five. In Act 2, the Avengers retreat to Wakanda, which is flooded by Namor's Atlantis, leading them to pin their hopes on Hope Summers. The final act sees Cyclops consumed by the Phoenix Force, becoming Dark Phoenix, and tragically killing Charles Xavier. Despite the grim events, the story concludes with Hope and Scarlet Witch using the Phoenix Force to restore the mutant gene, leaving even the imprisoned Cyclops satisfied with the outcome.

Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday are still scarce, with the film's title and cast undergoing changes. Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the focus shifted from Kang to Doom after Marvel parted ways with Jonathan Majors. The MCU currently lacks an official Avengers team, and the situation with the X-Men is even more fragmented, with only a few mutants introduced so far.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

Here’s a list of confirmed mutants in the MCU, all from Earth-616:

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

It remains to be seen whether Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch will be confirmed as mutants in the MCU.

Given the current state of both teams, why would Marvel attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie now? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. Our theory suggests that Avengers: Doomsday might explore a conflict between the MCU and the heroes of another universe, specifically the Fox X-Men universe. This would serve as a final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters, building on the post-credits scene from The Marvels where Monica Rambeau is seemingly trapped in the X-Men universe.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The film could draw inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe forces the Avengers and the Ultimates into conflict. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 might lead to a battle between the Avengers and X-Men for the survival of their respective worlds. This scenario would allow for epic superhero matchups and explore characters' conflicting loyalties, such as Ms. Marvel's connection to other mutants or Deadpool's aspirations to join the Avengers.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

While the Avengers and X-Men might have their reasons to clash, Doctor Doom could further complicate the situation. Known for his opportunistic nature and manipulation, Doom might see the conflict as an opportunity to weaken the Avengers and gain power. His role could mirror Zemo’s in Captain America: Civil War, orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Moreover, Doom's actions in the comics contribute to the multiverse's collapse, a theme that could be central to Doomsday, setting the stage for Secret Wars.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars, much like Infinity War and Endgame. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, where the multiverse's destruction occurs amidst a battle between heroes, Doomsday might end similarly, with the Avengers and X-Men failing to prevent the multiverse's collapse due to their internal conflicts.

Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)

This setup would pave the way for Secret Wars, where Doctor Doom could emerge as the God Emperor of Battleworld, a reality forged from the remnants of destroyed universes. Avengers: Doomsday might be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting the stage for a dark new reality where the multiverse is gone, and heroes must unite to restore it.

For more on the future of the MCU, discover 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.