At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled thrilling news about the future of the MCU, including the surprising return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. This iconic villain will play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga's climax, 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 Avengers: Doomsday, following his cameo in 2023's The Marvels. These revelations have sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be setting up an epic confrontation reminiscent of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. But why would these two teams clash? Could it be a lesson unlearned from the likes of Batman v Superman?
Let's delve into the Marvel Comics' Avengers vs. X-Men saga and explore how it could be adapted into the MCU's narrative.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
Since their inception in the early 1960s, the Avengers and X-Men have frequently collaborated to save the world, as seen in epic tales like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, the 2012 crossover event, Avengers vs. X-Men, marks a significant departure as it pits these two teams against each other.
The tension arises amidst a dire period for the X-Men, following the devastating impact of Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), which drastically reduced the mutant population. Internal conflicts between Wolverine and Cyclops further complicate matters, leading to the establishment of rival schools. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space sets the stage for a monumental clash.
The Avengers view the Phoenix Force as a catastrophic threat to Earth, whereas Cyclops sees it as the last hope for mutantkind's survival. The Avengers' plan to destroy the Phoenix Force is perceived as an act of war by the X-Men. The narrative's complexity is enhanced by characters like Wolverine, who aligns with the Avengers despite his X-Men roots, and Storm, caught between her roles in both teams.
The story unfolds in three acts. In the first act, the X-Men struggle to protect the Phoenix Force from the Avengers. However, Iron Man's weapon unexpectedly splits the Phoenix Force into five parts, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, who become the Phoenix Five. The second act sees the Phoenix Five overpowering the Avengers, forcing them to retreat to Wakanda, which Namor subsequently floods. The Avengers pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-House of M, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.
The third act culminates in a final battle where Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becomes the Dark Phoenix and tragically kills Charles Xavier. Despite this, the story concludes with a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, eradicates the Phoenix Force and restores the mutant gene, leaving even the imprisoned Cyclops to view the outcome as a victory.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain sparse, with only the title and cast known. Originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film's direction shifted after Marvel parted ways with Jonathan Majors, refocusing the Multiverse Saga on Doctor Doom. 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, with only a few mutants introduced, such as Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta's Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared in 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 Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here's a quick list of confirmed MCU mutants from Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It's also worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are traditionally mutants, but their MCU status remains unclear.
Why adapt Avengers vs. X-Men now? The answer lies in the multiverse. We theorize that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiverse story, pitting the MCU against the X-Men of the Fox universe. This narrative could build on The Marvels' post-credits scene, where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau, who finds herself in the Fox X-Men universe. This unresolved situation could lead to an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005, setting the stage for a battle where the survival of both worlds hangs in the balance.
Inspired by Secret Wars (2015), Avengers: Doomsday could depict a conflict similar to the war between the Marvel and Ultimate Universes, where an Incursion forces the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their respective Earths. This setup promises thrilling superhero confrontations, like Captain America vs. Wolverine, and could explore characters' conflicting loyalties, such as Ms. Marvel's reaction to meeting other mutants or Deadpool's dream of joining the Avengers.
How Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday is crucial, as he is known for his opportunistic nature and manipulation of heroes. Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to weaken Earth-616, making it more susceptible to his schemes. His involvement could mirror that of Baron Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, orchestrating events from the shadows.
In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse, a plot point that could be mirrored in the MCU. By instigating a war between the Avengers and X-Men, Doom advances his goal of attaining godhood and reshaping reality.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is now a critical precursor to Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing inspiration from Secret Wars #1 (2015), the film may end with the multiverse's destruction, leading to the creation of Battleworld. This outcome would position Doctor Doom as the God Emperor of Battleworld, a role he assumes in the comics.
Avengers: Doomsday, as a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, could set the stage for a darker status quo in the MCU, where the multiverse's obliteration leads to Battleworld. In Avengers: Secret Wars, a diverse assembly of Marvel heroes, including characters from various universes, would likely unite to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.
For more on the MCU's future, learn 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.
