At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting news about the future of the MCU, including the surprising return of Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom. This iconic character will be pivotal in the climactic phases 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*, following his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. These developments raise an intriguing question: Could *Avengers: Doomsday* secretly be an adaptation of the epic *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline?
The original *Avengers vs. X-Men* comic series, which debuted in 2012, is a standout in Marvel's history due to its portrayal of a fierce rivalry between the two teams. Traditionally allies, the Avengers and X-Men found themselves at odds during a tumultuous period for the mutants. Following the events of 2005's *House of M*, where Scarlet Witch drastically reduced the mutant population, the X-Men were on the brink of extinction. The arrival of the Phoenix Force, a cosmic entity with immense power, further escalated tensions. The Avengers viewed the Phoenix as a threat to Earth, while Cyclops saw it as a potential savior for mutantkind. This disagreement led to a full-blown conflict, with unexpected alliances forming on both sides.
In the MCU, the groundwork for an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie seems to be laid out, albeit in a way that leverages the multiverse concept. The current state of the MCU features a disorganized Avengers team and a nascent X-Men presence, with only a few mutants like Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan and Tenoch Huerta’s Namor introduced in Earth-616. However, the MCU has been teasing the integration of the Fox X-Men universe, with characters like Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine appearing in alternate realities.
A key hint comes from *The Marvels*, where a post-credits scene shows Monica Rambeau trapped in a universe similar to the Fox X-Men's Earth-10005, being cared for by Kelsey Grammer's Beast. This suggests that *Avengers: Doomsday* could explore a multiversal conflict, where the Avengers of Earth-616 clash with the X-Men of another universe to prevent an Incursion—a phenomenon that could destroy both worlds.
Doctor Doom's role in this narrative adds another layer of complexity. Known for his cunning and ambition, Doom could manipulate this conflict to further his own goals, possibly aiming to weaken both teams and seize power amidst the chaos. His involvement mirrors his role in the comic series *Secret Wars*, where his actions led to the collapse of the multiverse.
As *Avengers: Doomsday* sets the stage for *Avengers: Secret Wars*, it is likely to end on a somber note, similar to *Secret Wars #1*, where the multiverse is destroyed, and only Battleworld remains. This sets up a scenario where the heroes, including characters from across the multiverse, must unite in *Secret Wars* to restore reality and overthrow Doom, who may have become the God Emperor of Battleworld.
The possibility of *Avengers: Doomsday* being a multiversal *Avengers vs. X-Men* story not only promises thrilling superhero battles but also a deeper exploration of the themes of unity and survival in the face of overwhelming odds. As the MCU continues to evolve, fans can look forward to seeing how these iconic characters and their worlds collide in this epic saga.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Who Are the Mutants of the MCU?
Here’s a quick rundown of every mutant character confirmed to exist in the MCU so far. Note that we’re only counting those characters who live on Earth-616, not alternate universes like Earth-838 or Earth-10005.
- Ms. Marvel
- Mr. Immortal
- Namor
- Wolverine
- Ursa Major
- Sabra/Ruth Bat-Seraph
It’s also worth noting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are traditionally portrayed as mutants, but it remains to be seen if they’ll eventually be revealed to be carrying the mutant gene in the MCU.
AnswerSee ResultsFor more on the future of the MCU, find out why Secret Wars finally has the villain it needs in Downey's Doom, and brush up 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.
