Benedict Cumberbatch, renowned for his portrayal of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently confirmed that his character will not appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans can look forward to seeing Doctor Strange play a "central role" in the subsequent film, Avengers: Secret Wars.
During an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch inadvertently dropped a spoiler, leading him to exclaim "f**k it," before sharing more about Doctor Strange's future. He hinted at the character's significance in the unfolding MCU narrative, stating, "He’s quite central to where things might go." Additionally, Cumberbatch revealed plans for a third standalone Doctor Strange movie, expressing excitement about further exploring the character's rich and complex nature. "He’s a very rich character to play. He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with," he said, discussing the creative freedom and future directions for the character.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
18 Images
Regarding his absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it's due to "the character not aligning with this part of the story." The film, set to star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans, is shrouded in mystery but is being directed by former Avengers directors, the Russo Brothers. It is expected to continue the multiverse theme, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also rumored to appear.
Looking ahead, Phase 6 of the MCU will commence with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July. Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, while Avengers: Secret Wars will hit theaters on May 7, 2027.
