At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about their future projects, including a major surprise: Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Doctor Doom. Doom will play a pivotal role in the climax of the Multiverse Saga, featured 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 announcements have sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be a covert adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline. But why would these iconic teams clash? Let's delve into the original comic and explore how it could be brought to life on the big screen.
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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?
The Avengers and X-Men have a long history of collaboration, teaming up in events like Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) and Secret Invasion (2008). However, Avengers vs. X-Men (2012) marked a significant departure, pitting these two groups against each other.
The conflict arose during a tumultuous period for the X-Men, following Scarlet Witch's actions in House of M (2005), which drastically reduced the mutant population. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space further complicated matters. The Avengers viewed the Phoenix as a dangerous threat to Earth, whereas Cyclops saw it as a potential savior for mutantkind. This disagreement escalated into a full-blown war when the Avengers attempted to destroy the Phoenix, prompting a fierce response from the X-Men.
The story unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs, striving to protect the Phoenix. However, Iron Man's attempt to eliminate the Phoenix backfires, splitting it into five fragments that empower Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five. In the second act, the empowered mutants dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda, which is subsequently flooded by Namor. The Avengers' strategy shifts to Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation, as their last hope to absorb the Phoenix.
The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix, becoming the Dark Phoenix and killing Professor X. Ultimately, Hope, with Scarlet Witch's assistance, bonds with the Phoenix to erase it from existence and restore the mutant gene, leaving Cyclops in prison but hopeful for the future.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday remain scarce beyond its title and cast, which have seen changes. Initially announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the film shifted focus from Kang to Doom after Marvel parted ways with Jonathan Majors. Currently, the MCU lacks a formal Avengers team, and the X-Men are even less established, with only a few mutants introduced, such as Kamala Khan and Namor, alongside alternate universe versions like Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here’s a quick rundown of every mutant character confirmed to exist 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 revealed as mutants in the MCU.
Given the current state of both teams, why would Marvel attempt an Avengers vs. X-Men movie now? The answer lies in the multiverse. We speculate that Avengers: Doomsday will be a multiverse story, featuring a war between the MCU and the Fox X-Men universe. This could serve as a final chapter for the Fox X-Men characters, building on the post-credits scene from The Marvels where Beast cares for Monica Rambeau in the Fox universe.
The film might draw inspiration from Secret Wars (2015), where an Incursion between the Marvel Universe and the Ultimate Universe leads to a battle for survival. Similarly, an Incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-10005 could force the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their respective worlds, setting the stage for epic superhero confrontations.
How Doctor Doom Fits In
Doctor Doom, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., is poised to be a central figure in Avengers: Doomsday. Known for his cunning and manipulation, Doom could exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own ambitions. He might view the X-Men as a tool to weaken the Avengers, making the world more susceptible to his control.
In the comics, Doom's actions lead to the multiverse's collapse. Avengers: Doomsday might reveal that Doom is orchestrating the multiverse's destruction, using the war between the Avengers and X-Men as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is expected to set the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars. Drawing from Secret Wars (2015), the film could end with the multiverse's destruction, leading to the creation of Battleworld, ruled by Doom.
Avengers: Doomsday might serve as a loose adaptation of Avengers vs. X-Men, setting up a dark scenario where the multiverse is destroyed, and the heroes must unite in Secret Wars to restore it and overthrow Doom.
For more on the future of the MCU, learn why Secret Wars 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.
