At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the franchise as Doctor Doom. Doom is set to 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 developments have sparked speculation about the nature of *Avengers: Doomsday*, with many wondering if it might secretly be an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie.

The idea of the Avengers and X-Men clashing raises questions about their motivations. Could they be repeating the mistakes seen in *Batman v Superman*? To understand this potential storyline, let's delve into Marvel's *Avengers vs. X-Men* comic 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 a long history of collaboration, dating back to their early 1960s debuts. They've united in numerous stories, such as *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* in 1984 and *Secret Invasion* in 2008. However, *Avengers vs. X-Men* (AvX) in 2012 is unique because it portrays these teams as adversaries rather than allies.

The tension in AvX stems from a dire situation for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in *House of M* in 2005, the mutant population has dwindled to a mere few hundred, facing extinction. Internal conflicts, such as the schism between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space sets the stage for the conflict. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix, the X-Men perceive it as an act of war.

AvX is intriguing because it features unexpected alliances. Wolverine, despite his history with the X-Men, aligns with the Avengers, while Storm, a member of both teams, is torn between her loyalties. Even Professor X shows less support for Cyclops than one might expect.

The story unfolds in three acts. In the first act, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force from the Avengers' destructive intentions. The situation escalates when 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 empowered mutants put the Avengers on the defensive, leading to a retreat to Wakanda, which is subsequently flooded by Namor. The Avengers' hope lies with Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation, who they believe can absorb the Phoenix Force.

The final act sees Cyclops, possessed 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. Despite this tragedy, the story ends on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, eradicates the Phoenix Force and restores the mutant gene, marking a victory even for the imprisoned Cyclops.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about *Avengers: Doomsday* are scarce beyond its title and cast, which have seen changes. Initially announced as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, the film's 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 presence is even more fragmented. Only a few mutants have been introduced, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from alternate universes, like Patrick Stewart's Professor X in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*, Kelsey Grammer's Beast in *The Marvels*, and Hugh Jackman's Wolverines in *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

It's worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, have yet to be confirmed as such in the MCU.

Given the current state of the Avengers and the absence of an official X-Men team, why would Marvel attempt an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie? The answer likely lies in the multiverse. We theorize that *Avengers: Doomsday* will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against heroes from another universe, specifically the X-Men from the Fox universe. This could serve as a final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters.

The post-credits scene in *The Marvels*, where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, suggests she's trapped in the Fox X-Men universe. This unresolved plot point, combined with the threat of Incursions, could lead to a conflict between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, setting the stage for *Avengers: Doomsday*.

The film's narrative might 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 Ultimates into a battle for survival. Similarly, *Avengers: Doomsday* could see the Avengers and X-Men fighting over the fate of their respective worlds, leading to epic superhero matchups and complex loyalties.

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How Doctor Doom Fits In

While the Avengers and X-Men have their reasons to fight, Doctor Doom's role remains crucial. Known for his opportunism and manipulation, Doom could exploit the conflict to further his own ambitions. He might see the X-Men of Earth-10005 as a means to weaken the Avengers of Earth-616, making the world more susceptible to his plans. In this scenario, Doom could be the unseen hand orchestrating events, much like Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*.

Doom's significance extends to the buildup to *Secret Wars* in the comics, where his war with the Beyonders leads to the multiverse's collapse. *Avengers: Doomsday* might reveal Doom as the catalyst behind the multiverse's deteriorating state, using the war between the Avengers and X-Men as a step toward his ultimate goal of creating a new reality.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally announced as *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, *Avengers: Doomsday* is expected to lead directly into *Avengers: Secret Wars*, similar to how *Infinity War* and *Endgame* are interconnected. Drawing from the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* comic, *Doomsday* might end with the multiverse's destruction, as the Avengers and X-Men, distracted by their conflict, fail to prevent the inevitable.

This scenario would leave only Battleworld, a patchwork reality formed from the remnants of destroyed universes. In the comics, Doom becomes the God Emperor of Battleworld, a role he might also assume in the MCU. The conflict between the Avengers and X-Men could be part of Doom's plan to achieve godhood.

*Avengers: Doomsday* could be a loose adaptation of *Avengers vs. X-Men*, setting the stage for a dark new reality where the multiverse is gone, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. In *Avengers: Secret Wars*, a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes might unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom, echoing the narrative arc of *Infinity War* and *Endgame*.

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.