At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with the stunning announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. is returning to the MCU to play Doctor Doom. Doom will 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, we learned that Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in Doomsday, following his cameo in 2023's The Marvels. This news has sparked speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might be setting the stage for an epic Avengers vs. X-Men confrontation. But why would these iconic teams clash? Let's explore the Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men storyline and how it could be adapted for the MCU.
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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 world-saving missions in stories like 1984’s Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars and 2008’s Secret Invasion. However, 2012's Avengers vs. X-Men (AvX) marks a significant departure, showcasing a fierce rivalry rather than teamwork.
The tension in AvX stems from a dire time for the X-Men. After Scarlet Witch's actions in 2005's House of M drastically reduced the mutant population, the threat of extinction looms large. Internal conflicts, such as the schism between Wolverine and Cyclops, further complicate matters. The arrival of the Phoenix Force from space adds fuel to the fire.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The Avengers see the Phoenix as a dangerous threat to Earth, whereas Cyclops views it as the salvation for mutantkind. The Avengers' plan to destroy the Phoenix leads to a declaration of war from the X-Men. The story's complexity is heightened by characters like Wolverine, who sides with the Avengers despite his X-Men roots, and Storm, who is torn between her affiliations.
AvX unfolds in three acts. In the first, the X-Men fight to protect the Phoenix, but the Avengers' weapon splits the entity into five fragments, empowering Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, and Magik into the Phoenix Five. Act 2 sees the Avengers on the back foot, retreating to Wakanda, only to face further devastation from Namor's Atlantis. Their hope rests with Hope Summers, the first mutant born after the decimation, who is meant to absorb the Phoenix Force.
Art by Olivier Coipel. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The final act culminates in Cyclops, possessed by the Phoenix fragments, turning into Dark Phoenix and tragically killing Charles Xavier. Yet, the story ends on a hopeful note as Hope, with Scarlet Witch's help, bonds with the Phoenix to restore the mutant gene, leaving even the imprisoned Cyclops with a sense of victory.
How the MCU Is Adapting Avengers vs. X-Men
Details about Avengers: Doomsday are still emerging, with the title and cast undergoing changes. Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the shift to Doomsday reflects the MCU's move away from Kang, portrayed by Jonathan Majors, to focus on Doctor Doom. Notably, the MCU currently lacks an official Avengers team, a situation unchanged by Captain America: Brave New World.
On the X-Men front, the MCU has introduced only a few mutants, such as Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. Classic X-Men characters have appeared from alternate universes, including Patrick Stewart’s Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast in The Marvels, and Hugh Jackman’s many Wolverines in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here’s a comprehensive list of every mutant character confirmed in the MCU's Earth-616:
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It's important to note that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are traditionally mutants, but their MCU status remains uncertain.
The MCU's approach to Avengers vs. X-Men could involve a multiverse storyline, setting up a conflict between Earth-616 and the Fox X-Men universe (Earth-10005). This could be a fitting farewell to the Fox X-Men, building on the post-credits scene in The Marvels where Grammer's Beast cares for Monica Rambeau after she prevents an Incursion.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Drawing from the 2015 Secret Wars, Avengers: Doomsday might feature an Incursion forcing the Avengers and X-Men to fight for their worlds' survival. This could lead to thrilling superhero matchups, such as Captain America versus Wolverine or Thor against Storm, while characters like Ms. Marvel and Deadpool navigate divided loyalties.
How Doctor Doom Fits In
Art by Bryan Hitch. (Image Credit: Marvel)
Doctor Doom's role in Avengers: Doomsday could be pivotal. Known for his scheming and power grabs, Doom might exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own ambitions. His manipulation could echo his comic book actions, such as his attempt to control Wakanda or his role in the mutant gene's elimination in House of M.
Doom's involvement in the multiverse's collapse, as seen in the comics, could be mirrored in the MCU, positioning him as the catalyst for the Incursions and the eventual creation of Battleworld.
How Avengers: Doomsday Leads Into Secret Wars
Originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Avengers: Doomsday is now set to lead into Avengers: Secret Wars, mirroring the narrative arc of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Drawing from Secret Wars #1, Doomsday might end with the multiverse's destruction, setting the stage for Secret Wars where the heroes must navigate Battleworld and overthrow Doom.
Art by Alex Ross. (Image Credit: Marvel)
If Avengers: Doomsday adapts Avengers vs. X-Men, it could pave the way for a dark new status quo, leading to the formation of Battleworld. In Secret Wars, a diverse lineup of Marvel heroes, from Anthony Mackie’s Captain America to Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, might unite to restore the multiverse and challenge Doom's rule.
For more on the MCU's future, explore 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.
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