Marvel Fans Uncover Avengers vs. X-Men Hint in Doomsday Casting Video

You might assume a five-hour video showcasing chairs with names would lack Marvel Cinematic Universe secrets, yet eagle-eyed fans have spotted a potential clue lurking in the shadows.

Earlier this week, Marvel unveiled the Avengers: Doomsday cast through a video gradually revealing chairs labeled with MCU actor names. The footage confirmed 26 additional stars joining Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in this epic superhero crossover, a process that spanned nearly five and a half hours.

While many have shifted focus to what the cast reveal means for Avengers: Doomsday, some dedicated fans continue dissecting the video, scrutinizing every chair and shadow. Their persistence may have paid off with a surprising discovery.

Redditor True_Confusion_295, likening themselves to a conspiracy theorist, highlighted a shadow cast by a chair that appears to form an X over an A. The implication? A possible Avengers vs. X-Men showdown.

I feel like a conspiracy theorist circling things in red
byu/True_Confusion_295 inmarvelstudios

Marvel stunned fans by confirming several actors from Fox’s X-Men films for Avengers: Doomsday. Returning stars include Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden. Grammer, known as Beast in the Fox X-Men series, debuted in the MCU through The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X, had a brief MCU cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as an Illuminati member. McKellen’s Magneto, Cumming’s Nightcrawler, Romijn’s Mystique, and Marsden’s Cyclops have yet to appear in the MCU. Channing Tatum also reprises Gambit following his role in Deadpool & Wolverine. This lineup raises a question: could Avengers: Doomsday be an Avengers vs. X-Men film in disguise?

When Avengers: Doomsday finally hits screens, fans may look back at this shadowy clue as the first hint of a long-awaited superhero clash—or it could mean nothing at all.

Shadows aren’t the only source of speculation from Marvel’s casting video. At its conclusion, Robert Downey Jr. makes an eerie ‘shhh’ gesture, pressing a finger to his lips. Is it a playful warning that filming is about to start? A tease for Avengers: Secret Wars? Or a hint at more casting surprises?

Some even connect it to Agatha from WandaVision, speculating about Scarlet Witch’s return, despite Elizabeth Olsen’s comments suggesting otherwise.

Doom x Agatha.#AvengersDoomsday pic.twitter.com/3LX38W5Kc0

— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) March 26, 2025

This month, co-directors the Russo brothers called Avengers 5 and 6 a “fresh start” that will set the stage for the MCU’s Phase 7.

“We’re drawn to villains who see themselves as the protagonists of their own narratives,” Joe Russo explained. “That depth makes them compelling. With an actor like Robert Downey, we’re focused on crafting a richly layered character for audiences.”

Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, with Secret Wars following in May 2027. Before then, Thunderbolts* arrives in May 2025, the TV series Ironheart premieres in June, and Phase 6 begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.

In October, Marvel Studios announced three untitled films for 2028: February 18, May 5, and November 10. Growing speculation suggests one of these could be an X-Men project.