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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting developments for the MCU, including the surprising return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. Doom will play a pivotal role in the Multiverse Saga's climax, featured prominently in both Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Adding to the excitement, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in Doomsday, following his cameo in The Marvels in 2023.

This announcement has sparked speculation about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday. Could it be a secret adaptation of the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline? The theory gains traction as we delve into the history and potential for such a crossover.

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 intersecting since their early 1960s debuts, collaborating on numerous occasions, from Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars in 1984 to Secret Invasion in 2008. However, the 2012 Avengers vs. X-Men storyline is unique because it pits these 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 in 2005, the mutant population dwindles to a mere few hundred, facing extinction. Internal conflicts, such as the rift between Wolverine and Cyclops, add to the chaos. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space escalates the situation.

The Avengers view the Phoenix Force as a global threat, while Cyclops sees it as the salvation of mutantkind. Their disagreement over how to handle the Phoenix Force leads to open conflict. The dynamic shifts when Iron Man's attempt to destroy the Phoenix Force instead splits it into five fragments, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, forming the Phoenix Five.

In the second act, the Phoenix Five dominate, forcing the Avengers to retreat to Wakanda. However, Namor's actions lead to the flooding of the country. The Avengers pin their hopes on Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation of the mutant gene, to absorb the Phoenix Force and end the Phoenix Five's reign.

The final act sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix Force, becoming the Dark Phoenix and killing Charles Xavier. The conflict concludes with Hope and Scarlet Witch using the Phoenix Force to restore the mutant gene, bringing a bittersweet resolution.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details about Avengers: Doomsday are scarce, with the project undergoing changes, including a shift from Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to Doomsday following the studio's decision to move away from Jonathan Majors and Kang. Currently, the MCU lacks an official Avengers team, and the X-Men presence is limited to a few characters like Kamala Khan and 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 quick overview of the mutants confirmed in the MCU's Earth-616:

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

While Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are traditionally mutants, their status in the MCU remains uncertain.

The speculation around Avengers: Doomsday suggests it might involve a multiverse conflict between the MCU and the Fox universe's X-Men. The post-credits scene in The Marvels, where Beast tends to Monica Rambeau, hints at a potential Incursion between universes, setting the stage for a battle between the Avengers and the Fox X-Men.

The narrative could draw inspiration from the 2015 Secret Wars series, where an Incursion between the classic and Ultimate universes leads to a battle for survival. Similarly, Avengers: Doomsday might see the Avengers and X-Men fighting over which Earth must be sacrificed to prevent the destruction of both.

This setup allows for thrilling superhero matchups and explores characters' conflicting loyalties. Ms. Marvel might face a dilemma when meeting other mutants, while Deadpool could find himself in a battle against his former idols, the Avengers.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Doctor Doom's role as an opportunistic villain could see him manipulating the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own agenda. Historically, Doom has exploited heroes' weaknesses and orchestrated events from the shadows, such as his attempts to control Wakanda's vibranium and his involvement in the mutant gene's decimation in House of M.

In Avengers: Doomsday, Doom might use the X-Men to weaken the Avengers, setting the stage for his rise to power. His actions could mirror those of Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, with Doom's ultimate goal being the creation of Battleworld, as seen in the Secret Wars comics.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Doomsday is expected to lead directly into Avengers: Secret Wars. Like Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the destruction of the multiverse due to the heroes' inability to unite against the overarching threat.

If Doomsday follows this pattern, the multiverse's collapse will pave the way for Battleworld, where Doom reigns supreme. Secret Wars would then see a coalition of Marvel heroes from various universes attempting to restore the multiverse and dethrone Doom.

In conclusion, Avengers: Doomsday could be a dark turning point for the MCU, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion in Avengers: Secret Wars, where the multiverse's fate hangs in the balance.

For more on the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars benefits from Downey's Doom and stay updated on all upcoming Marvel projects.

Note: this article was originally published on 09/02/2024 and updated on 03/26/2025 with the latest news about Avengers: Doomsday.