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

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.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 ImagesWhat 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 joined forces 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 pits the two teams against each other.

The tension in AvX arises during a challenging time for the X-Men. Following Scarlet Witch's actions in *House of M* in 2005, the mutant population has dwindled to a 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 Force as a dangerous threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind. When the Avengers attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force, the X-Men interpret this as an act of war. The story is enriched by unexpected alliances, with Wolverine siding with the Avengers and Storm torn between her loyalties to both teams.

AvX unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs fighting to protect the Phoenix Force. The situation changes 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 Avengers retreat to Wakanda, which is soon flooded by Namor, leading them to pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation of the mutant race.

The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix and killing 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.

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 mutants in the MCU, focusing on those from Earth-616:

• 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 established 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, not introducing the MCU's X-Men to fight the Avengers immediately, but rather depicting a conflict between the MCU and the heroes of another universe, specifically the Fox X-Men universe.

This theory is supported by the post-credits scene in *The Marvels*, where Grammer's Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, who appears trapped in the Fox X-Men universe. This unresolved plot point, combined with the threat of Incursions, could lead to a battle between the MCU and Earth-10005, with the survival of both worlds at stake.

The MCU's *Avengers vs. X-Men* may draw inspiration from both the AvX comic and the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* series. In *Secret Wars #1*, the Marvel multiverse faces its end, with the classic and Ultimate universes battling over an Incursion. Similarly, *Avengers: Doomsday* could feature a conflict driven by an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, forcing the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival.

This setup promises epic superhero matchups, such as Captain America vs. Wolverine, Hulk vs. Colossus, and Thor vs. Storm. Characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool might find themselves torn between loyalties, adding complexity to the conflict.

While the Avengers and X-Men have a reason to fight, Doctor Doom's role remains crucial. Known for his opportunism and manipulation, Doom could exploit the conflict to weaken the Avengers, making Earth-616 more vulnerable to his plans. In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, and a similar reveal in *Doomsday* could show him orchestrating the war as part of his larger scheme to achieve godhood.

Originally announced 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*, *Doomsday* might end with the multiverse's destruction, setting the stage for *Secret Wars* on Battleworld, a reality forged from the remnants of dead universes.

In this scenario, Doom could become the God Emperor of Battleworld, using the Avengers vs. X-Men conflict as part of his plan. *Avengers: Doomsday* could be a loose adaptation of *Avengers vs. X-Men*, paving the way for a dark status quo where the multiverse is gone, and existence is reduced to Battleworld. *Secret Wars* would then see a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, including Anthony Mackie's Captain America, Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why *Secret Wars* benefits from 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.