At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled thrilling updates about the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. Doom will 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*. Additionally, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in *Doomsday*, expanding on his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. These revelations have sparked speculation that *Avengers: Doomsday* might secretly be an adaptation of the epic *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline.

But why would the Avengers and X-Men clash? It's a scenario that echoes the lessons unlearned from *Batman v Superman*. Let's delve into Marvel's *Avengers vs. X-Men* comic and explore how it could be translated to the MCU.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have been intersecting paths since their early 1960s debut, often collaborating to save the world in stories like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men storyline stands out as it pits these two iconic teams against each other.

The tension arises during a tumultuous period for the X-Men, following Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), which drastically reduced the mutant population to near extinction. Internal conflicts, such as the schism between Wolverine and Cyclops leading to rival schools, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space intensifies the conflict.

The Avengers view the Phoenix as a catastrophic threat, while Cyclops sees it as the mutant race's last hope for survival. The Avengers' plan to destroy the Phoenix Force before it reaches Earth is interpreted by the X-Men as a declaration of war. The storyline's intrigue is heightened by unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers despite his mutant identity, and Storm caught between her roles in both teams.

Avengers vs. X-Men unfolds in three acts. In the first act, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force, but the situation escalates when Iron Man's weapon splits the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik into the Phoenix Five. Act 2 sees the Avengers retreating to Wakanda, which Namor floods, forcing them to rely on Hope Summers to absorb the Phoenix Force. The final act culminates in a battle against a Dark Phoenix-possessed Cyclops, who tragically kills Professor X before Hope and Scarlet Witch restore the mutant gene and eliminate the Phoenix Force.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday are scarce beyond its title and cast, which have evolved since the film was initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The shift from Kang to Doom as the saga's focus, coupled with the absence of an official Avengers team, adds layers of intrigue. The MCU's X-Men presence is even more fragmented, with only a few mutants introduced, such as Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor, alongside alternate universe versions like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Kelsey Grammer’s Beast.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

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

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

It's unclear if 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? The answer lies in the multiverse. Our theory is that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against heroes from another universe, specifically the Fox X-Men universe. This narrative could build on the post-credits scene from The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau finds herself in the Fox X-Men universe after stopping an Incursion.

The movie's conflict could be inspired by Secret Wars (2015), where an Incursion between the last two universes leads to a war where one Earth must be destroyed to save the other. In Doomsday, the Avengers and X-Men might fight over the survival of their respective worlds, leading to epic superhero showdowns and internal conflicts among characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday could be as a manipulative villain who exploits the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own ambitions. Known for his schemes to gain power, Doom might see the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, setting the stage for his ultimate goal of godhood. His involvement in the multiverse's collapse, as seen in the comics, might be mirrored in the MCU, making him a central figure in the narrative leading to Secret Wars.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to serve as a crucial lead-in to Secret Wars. Drawing parallels with Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction due to the Avengers and X-Men's inability to unite against the overarching threat. This scenario would set the stage for Secret Wars, where the remnants of the multiverse form Battleworld, with Doom as its God Emperor.

Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, paving the way for a darker status quo where the multiverse is gone, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. Secret Wars would then feature a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes from various universes, working together to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars finally has the villain it needs in Downey's 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.