Avengers: Doomsday - Fantastic Four vs X-Men Showdown?

The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie has fans buzzing with anticipation, and recent hints suggest we might witness an epic clash between the Fantastic Four and the X-Men. Could this be the ultimate superhero showdown Marvel fans have been waiting for?

Alan Cumming, reprising his role as Nightcrawler, teased a potential fight scene during an interview. Is this a sign that the X-Men and the Fantastic Four will indeed face off in Avengers: Doomsday?

Cumming mentioned learning stunts for a fight scene, hinting at a possible confrontation with other characters. Given that Avengers: Doomsday is expected to explore alternate dimensions, a crossover battle between these iconic teams wouldn't be entirely out of the question.

Interestingly, the idea of pitting the Fantastic Four against the X-Men isn't new. Marvel Comics has a history of exploring this rivalry, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling adaptation in Avengers: Doomsday.

Fantastic Four vs. X-Men: A Comic Book Precedent

The 1987 miniseries "Fantastic Four vs. The X-Men" saw these two teams clash over the fate of Kitty Pryde. After the devastating "Mutant Massacre" storyline, Kitty lost control of her phasing abilities, prompting the X-Men to seek help from Reed Richards.

However, the arrival of Doctor Doom, armed with a diary revealing Reed's knowledge of the cosmic rays that mutated the Fantastic Four, ignited distrust and conflict. This led to an all-out brawl between the two teams, showcasing the potential for dramatic tension and action.

In that original comic book arc, Nightcrawler was actually injured. This provides Avengers: Doomsday with an opportunity to offer a fresh take on this classic rivalry, potentially giving Nightcrawler a more prominent role in the conflict.

Furthermore, the concept of pitting the X-Men and the Fantastic Four against each other has been explored before in the realm of cinema, although it never came to fruition.

A Canceled Crossover: What Could Have Been

Back in 2013, 20th Century Fox had plans for a Fantastic Four/X-Men crossover movie. With the superhero genre booming, thanks to the success of The Avengers and the Dark Knight trilogy, this seemed like a promising venture.

However, the poor reception of the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot led to the cancellation of the crossover. Later, details emerged about the planned storyline, which included a shocking scene where Reed Richards dismembered Wolverine and a potential Secret Invasion sequel hook.

Now, it appears that Marvel Studios is poised to finally bring this concept to life in Avengers: Doomsday. This film could deliver the epic crossover that fans have long awaited.

What Could Spark the Conflict in Avengers: Doomsday?

Previous MCU films have hinted at "incursions," catastrophic events involving the collision of parallel Earths. Could Doctor Doom manipulate these incursions to pit the X-Men against the Fantastic Four, especially to make Reed Richards suffer?

While Alan Cumming's might have been tongue-in-cheek, the possibility of a Fantastic Four vs. X-Men showdown in Avengers: Doomsday remains exciting. Fans will have to wait until the film's release to see if this epic battle comes to fruition.

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to premiere in theaters on May 1, 2026. Will we finally see the Fantastic Four and the X-Men trade blows? The anticipation is building for what could be a defining moment in the MCU.