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

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled thrilling updates on the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including the surprising return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. This iconic villain will play a pivotal role in the culmination 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*, expanding on his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*.

Rumors are swirling that *Avengers: Doomsday* might secretly be an adaptation of the epic *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline. Could this film pit the Avengers against the X-Men in a battle for supremacy? Given the rich history of these two teams in the comics, such a crossover could be monumental.

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What Is Avengers vs. X-Men?

The Avengers and X-Men have a storied history of collaboration and conflict dating back to the early 1960s. They've teamed up in epic tales like *Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars* (1984) and *Secret Invasion* (2008), but it's the 2012 *Avengers vs. X-Men* (AvX) that stands out. This storyline sees the two teams at odds over the Phoenix Force, a cosmic entity that could either save or destroy the world.

In the comic, the Phoenix Force's arrival comes at a dire time for the X-Men, following Scarlet Witch's decimation of the mutant population in *House of M* (2005). Cyclops sees the Phoenix as a potential savior for mutants, while the Avengers view it as a threat that must be neutralized. This fundamental disagreement sparks a war between the teams, complicated by internal schisms within the X-Men, such as the rift between Wolverine and Cyclops.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The narrative unfolds in three acts. Initially, the X-Men are the underdogs fighting to protect the Phoenix. However, the Avengers' attempt to destroy the Phoenix backfires, splitting it into five pieces that empower Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik, turning them into the Phoenix Five. The Avengers, now on the defensive, retreat to Wakanda, which Namor later floods. Their strategy shifts to rallying around Hope Summers, the first mutant born post-*House of M*, to absorb the Phoenix and end its reign.

Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The climax sees Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix, become the Dark Phoenix and kill Charles Xavier. Despite this tragedy, Hope and Scarlet Witch manage to eradicate the Phoenix Force and restore the mutant gene, leaving Cyclops imprisoned but hopeful for the future of mutantkind.

How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men

Details on *Avengers: Doomsday* are scarce beyond its title and cast, which have evolved from the initially announced *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*. The shift from Kang to Doom as the saga's focus, coupled with the absence of a formal Avengers team post-*Captain America: Brave New World*, adds layers of intrigue.

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, with classic X-Men characters appearing from alternate universes like Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Kelsey Grammer's Beast.

Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?

Here's a list of confirmed mutants in the MCU's Earth-616:

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

Notably, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, traditionally mutants, have yet to be confirmed as such in the MCU.

The potential for an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie seems tied to the multiverse narrative. Our theory is that *Doomsday* will leverage the multiverse to pit the MCU's Avengers against the X-Men from the Fox universe, possibly triggered by an Incursion event hinted at in *The Marvels*. This could set up a dramatic clash reminiscent of the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* series, where universes collide and heroes battle over the fate of their worlds.

Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Such a conflict would allow for epic superhero matchups and explore the divided loyalties of characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

How Doctor Doom Fits In

Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)

Doctor Doom's role in *Avengers: Doomsday* could be multifaceted. Known for his cunning and ambition, Doom might exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own agenda. His history of manipulating events from behind the scenes, as seen in *House of M*, suggests he could be orchestrating the Incursion to weaken his enemies.

Furthermore, Doom's central role in the comic's *Secret Wars*—where his war with the Beyonders leads to the multiverse's collapse—hints at a similar plot in *Doomsday*. He might be the catalyst for the multiverse's destruction, using the war between the Avengers and X-Men as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goal of godhood.

How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars

Originally titled *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty*, *Doomsday* is expected to set the stage for *Secret Wars* much like *Infinity War* did for *Endgame*. Drawing inspiration from *Secret Wars* #1, *Doomsday* might depict the Avengers and X-Men's failure to prevent the multiverse's collapse due to their internal conflict.

Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)

The film could end with the creation of Battleworld, a patchwork reality forged by Doom, setting up his role as the God Emperor in *Secret Wars*. This dark status quo would pave the way for a grand alliance of Marvel heroes across different universes to restore the multiverse and overthrow Doom.

*Avengers: Doomsday* appears poised to be a loose adaptation of *Avengers vs. X-Men*, setting the stage for a dramatic and pivotal shift in the MCU. As the multiverse saga unfolds, fans can anticipate a thrilling journey toward *Secret Wars*, where the stakes are higher than ever.

For more insights into the MCU's future, explore why Secret Wars finally has the villain it needs with 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.*