Why one of the MCU's returning X-Men could join the Avengers in Doomsday

Nicholas Raymond is an author and journalist based in Alabama, where he is a proud member of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, he holds a degree in mass communications with a concentration in journalism.

Precedent exists for one of the returning X-Men in Avengers: Apocalypse to officially join Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. As it stands, seven characters from the X-Men corner of the Marvel Universe are confirmed to be present when the Avengers take on Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom: Gambit, Mystique, Professor X, Magneto, Beast, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler.

As it stands, it’s unclear how they will factor into upcoming battles. However, we know that they will come from elsewhere in the MCU multiverse. Movies like Deadpool and Wolverine, The wonders And Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have made it clear that the existence of diverse realities is how he plans to approach this iteration of the X-Men and its place in the MCU.

In light of this, it makes sense that their release in Avengers: Apocalypse will appear in the form of a short-lived team with the Avengers and the Fantastic Four. But that doesn’t mean none of them will stick around once the story ends.

Beast is a major member of the Avengers

the avengers gather with the beast of the x-men

Due to the longevity of the Avengers brand, its various branches, and its ever-growing and rotating lineup, a multitude of characters technically count as Avengers in Marvel Comics, and this roster is so diverse that it includes several X-Men, including Gambit, Rogue, Storm, Wolverine, and even Deadpool.

But for one X-Men in particular, their ties to the Avengers are far from typical; Unlike the many X-Men characters who joined the various Avengers factions in the 2000s and beyond, Beast, aka Hank McCoy, is a long-time member of the team whose history with them dates back to 1976.

In fact, Beast became a staple of the Avengers comics in the late 1970s, fighting alongside heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Vision, and Scarlet Witch. He was present on many team occasions momentsfrom Wonder Man’s resurrection, to Carol Danvers joining the Avengers, to the epic battle with Count Nefaria, to Chthon’s attempt to control Scarlet Witch.

And although Beast was ultimately removed from the roster, his connection to the team remained a key part of his story. Over the years, he has made several stays and reunions with the Avengers. Marvel even had Beast take his side during the Avengers vs. X-Men crossover of the 2010s.

The MCU beast could permanently join the Avengers in Doomsday

As a nod to his ties to the Avengers, the MCU could put Kelsey Grammar’s character on a similar path when it introduces him in Avengers: Apocalypse. It was previously reported that he could be particularly important to his multiverse arc, given that he became the second X-Man from Fox’s films (after Professor X) to make an appearance in the MCU, via The Wonders.

Most likely, Marvel will strive to have an original, younger incarnation of the X-Men in the MCUso a long-term presence for most Fox releases might not be feasible. But with all the characters in the X-Men library, Beast isn’t necessarily one of the ones he reinvents. Otherwise, he might choose to keep Grammar’s Beast on hand on Earth-616 and avoid reintroducing it.

Going in this direction makes sense, especially since the Beast can fill the void left by Iron Man and Bruce Banner. Iron Man is dead, and Bruce Banner has not yet been confirmed for doomsdayso Sam Wilson’s Avengers team may be lacking an in-house scientist. Unless Shuri joins the group, Beast might be the perfect candidate to take on this role.

Plus, joining the Avengers could lay the groundwork for an accurate dynamic and one of the most memorable friendships in classic comics. Wonder Man and Beast share a comic book romanceand adapting it could be possible later if Beast’s invitation to the MCU is extended beyond Avengers: Apocalypse