Avengers: Doomsday - A Secret Clash with X-Men?

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel Studios unveiled exciting updates about the future of the MCU, including the thrilling announcement that Robert Downey, Jr. will return to the franchise as Doctor Doom. This iconic villain is set to 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, Kelsey Grammer will reprise his role as Beast in *Doomsday*, expanding on his cameo in 2023's *The Marvels*. These revelations have sparked speculation about whether *Avengers: Doomsday* might secretly be an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie.

Given the history of Marvel Comics, the idea of an *Avengers vs. X-Men* storyline in the MCU is intriguing. In the comics, the two teams have crossed paths numerous times, but the 2012 *Avengers vs. X-Men* series stands out as a significant conflict. The story unfolds amidst a dark period for the X-Men, who are facing near extinction following Scarlet Witch's actions in *House of M*. The Phoenix Force's arrival adds to the tension, with the Avengers viewing it as a threat to Earth, while Cyclops sees it as the mutants' salvation. This disagreement leads to a war between the two teams, with unexpected alliances and dramatic confrontations.

In the MCU, the groundwork for such a conflict could be laid through the multiverse. With the Avengers currently disorganized and the X-Men yet to be fully introduced, a multiverse storyline could bring the two teams into conflict. The post-credits scene in *The Marvels*, where Monica Rambeau ends up in a universe akin to the Fox X-Men world, suggests a potential clash between the MCU and Earth-10005, the home of the Fox X-Men. This setup could lead to *Avengers: Doomsday* becoming a battle between the MCU's Avengers and the X-Men from another universe.

Doctor Doom's role in this narrative could be crucial. Known for his cunning and manipulation, Doom might exploit the conflict between the Avengers and X-Men to further his own ambitions. His actions could mirror those of Baron Zemo in *Captain America: Civil War*, orchestrating the heroes' downfall from the shadows. Furthermore, Doom's involvement in the multiverse's collapse, as seen in the comics, suggests he could be the ultimate architect of the MCU's impending crisis.

*Avengers: Doomsday* is expected to set the stage for *Avengers: Secret Wars*, much like *Infinity War* led into *Endgame*. Drawing inspiration from the first chapter of the 2015 *Secret Wars* series, *Doomsday* might end with the destruction of the multiverse, leaving only Battleworld. This scenario would position Doom as the God Emperor of Battleworld, setting up a grand confrontation in *Secret Wars* where heroes from across the multiverse unite to restore reality and overthrow Doom.

As we await more details, the possibility of an *Avengers vs. X-Men* movie adds a thrilling dimension to the MCU's future. With Robert Downey, Jr. as Doctor Doom and Kelsey Grammer reprising Beast, the stage is set for an epic saga that could redefine the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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.

For 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.