Will Marvel Studios Replace Molecule Man With Jean Grey & The Phoenix In AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY & SECRET WARS?

As Marvel Studios gears up for the ambitious culmination of its Multiverse Saga with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, fans are buzzing with speculation about how the studio plans to adapt one of the most complex storylines in comic book history. While the original story features Molecule Man as the linchpin for the creation of Battleworld, rumors suggest that the cinematic adaptation might take a different route—replacing Molecule Man with a young Jean Grey wielding the Phoenix Force.

If true, this change could signal a significant reimagining of the story while potentially introducing one of Marvel’s most powerful mutants to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In the comics, Molecule Man, aka Owen Reece, plays a critical role. A being of unimaginable power, Molecule Man serves as the backbone of Doctor Doom’s master plan to fuse fragmented universes into a patchwork reality called Battleworld. Doom uses Reece’s reality-warping abilities to challenge the Beyonder, elevating himself to godhood to govern the new multiversal order.

However, Molecule Man is an obscure character to general audiences, lacking the recognition of Marvel’s more iconic figures. Integrating him into the MCU would require extensive backstory and screentime, potentially bogging down the already massive ensemble narrative. Replacing him with a more well-known figure such as Jean Grey would streamline the storytelling in fascinating ways.

Jean Grey, particularly when imbued with the Phoenix Force, has a power set comparable to Molecule Man’s reality-altering capabilities. The Phoenix Force, a primal cosmic entity tied to creation and destruction, grants its host godlike abilities, including manipulating matter and energy on a universal scale.

Doomsday and Secret Wars are expected to revolve around the multiverse, a concept that the Phoenix Force can seamlessly tie into. By introducing a young Jean Grey as the host of the Phoenix Force, the MCU could establish her as a key player in the multiversal collapse and Battleworld’s creation.

The Phoenix Force could serve as the ultimate tool Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) seeks to harness his power. This change would provide an emotional and interesting conflict—Doom’s ambition to control the Phoenix Force versus Jean’s struggle to master its overwhelming power.

The rumored adaptation would likely explore a new dynamic between Jean Grey and Doctor Doom. In the comics, Doom’s relationship with Molecule Man is one of reluctant partnership. But if Jean replaces Molecule Man, Doom could take on the role of a twisted mentor, manipulating the young mutant to achieve his goals.

Jean’s inexperience and vulnerability as a young hero would make her susceptible to Doom’s influence. The story could delve into her internal conflict, torn between Doom’s promises of control and the terrifying reality of what the Phoenix Force can do. This narrative would humanize Jean while setting up Doom as a major antagonist.

Introducing Jean Grey in Doomsday would be a monumental step in bringing the neXt wave of mutants into the MCU.

This approach could also sidestep the need to immediately introduce a fully-fledged X-Men team. Instead, Marvel could focus on individual characters like Jean, giving them room to develop before uniting them in future projects.

Replacing Molecule Man with Jean Grey opens the door for the Phoenix Force to play a central role in the creation of this multiversal battleground.

Rather than Doom shaping Battleworld entirely through his own will, the Phoenix Force’s chaotic nature could result in a more organic and unstable Battleworld. This would heighten the stakes, as the heroes not only have to contend with Doom’s tyranny but also the unpredictable nature of the Phoenix Force itself.

Marvel has a history of making bold narrative changes that often pay off, such as combining elements from different story arcs to create cohesive films like Captain America: Civil War. By reimagining the Avengers films in a way that introduces MCU-proper mutants, Marvel could deliver a fresh adaptation of the beloved storyline.

If true, this could be a launching pad for the X-Men in the MCU, with Jean Grey at the forefront. Her arc in the film could set up future iconic stories exploring the Phoenix Force, mutant-kind, and the eventual formation of the X-Men.

Positioning Jean as the replacement for Molecule Man offers an opportunity to deepen the MCU’s exploration of cosmic power. The Phoenix Force, much like Molecule Man’s powers, represents the duality of creation and destruction, making it a fitting anchor for a story about rebuilding the multiverse.

As the Multiverse Saga hurtles toward its conclusion, we eagerly await official confirmation about the direction of this saga. Whether or not Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force take center stage, one thing is certain: Marvel Studios is poised to deliver a multiverse-shattering spectacle unlike anything seen before.

Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars scheduled for May 7, 2027.

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