At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the future of the MCU, including the surprising announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor Doom. Doom's pivotal role will span the climax of the Multiverse Saga, notably 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.
Speculation is rife that Avengers: Doomsday might actually be an adaptation of the epic crossover comic, Avengers vs. X-Men. This storyline, which originally pitted the Avengers against the X-Men, could be reimagined for the MCU, potentially setting the stage for a monumental conflict between these iconic teams.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have been collaborating and clashing since their inception in the early 1960s. Notable joint efforts include 1984's Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008's Secret Invasion. However, 2012's Avengers vs. X-Men stands out as a unique narrative where these teams are pitted against each other.
The conflict arises amidst a dire period for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M, mutants face near extinction, compounded by internal rifts between Wolverine and Cyclops. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space escalates tensions. The Avengers view the Phoenix as a planetary threat, while Cyclops sees it as the salvation for mutants. This disagreement leads to a full-blown war.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The story unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix Force from the Avengers' plan to destroy it. The first act culminates with Iron Man's weapon splitting the Phoenix into five pieces, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five. In the second act, the Avengers are forced to retreat to Wakanda, only to face further chaos when Namor floods the country. Their hope rests on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.
Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The final act sees Cyclops becoming the new Dark Phoenix, leading to a climactic battle where he tragically kills Charles Xavier. Despite this, 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 significant victory.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details on Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse beyond its title and cast, especially following the shift from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty after parting ways with Jonathan Majors. The MCU currently lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men presence is minimal, limited to characters like Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. 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 in the MCU's Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
The status of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch as mutants remains unclear in the MCU.
The MCU's potential adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men could involve a multiverse narrative, possibly pitting the MCU against the Fox universe's X-Men. This concept could be inspired by the first chapter of the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion threatens the survival of both universes. The post-credits scene from The Marvels, where Monica Rambeau ends up in the Fox X-Men universe, suggests a storyline where an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 forces the Avengers and X-Men into conflict.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)
This battle could lead to thrilling superhero confrontations and explore characters' conflicting loyalties, such as Ms. Marvel's connection to her mutant peers and Deadpool's past aspirations to join the Avengers.
How Doctor Doom Fits In
Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Doctor Doom, known for his cunning and power-hungry nature, could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men. His history of manipulating heroes and stealing their powers positions him to benefit from their war. Doom's involvement in the multiverse's collapse in the comics, leading to Secret Wars, suggests he might be orchestrating the chaos in the MCU, aiming for godhood and the creation of Battleworld.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally set to be Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is now poised to lead into Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, where the multiverse's collapse occurs amid a hero conflict, Doomsday might end similarly with the multiverse's destruction. This would set the stage for Secret Wars, where characters from various universes unite on Battleworld to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Avengers: Doomsday could be a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting up a darker narrative leading to Secret Wars, where heroes from across the Marvel universe, including past and present stars, join forces to challenge Doom and restore the multiverse.
For more on the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars has the perfect villain 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.
