Benedict Cumberbatch's recent revelations about Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday have sent shockwaves through the MCU fandom. He spilled the beans on major plot points, including character changes and the future direction of the franchise. Marvel's strategic deployment of spoilers is suspected, potentially diverting attention from controversies surrounding other projects.
Table of Contents:
- Conspiracy Theory?
- Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
- Spider-Man, Not Iron Man, as the Anchor Being?
- Secret Wars and the MCU Soft Reboot
- The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange
Conspiracy Theory? Probably Not.
Marvel likely orchestrated the leak, using Cumberbatch to preemptively address potential negative reactions. This tactic seems consistent with their recent PR strategies.
Cumberbatch confirmed significant alterations to both Avengers: Doomsday (formerly Kang Dynasty) and Secret Wars, largely due to the dismissal of Jonathan Majors. Robert Downey Jr.'s return is a key element of the revised Doomsday narrative.
Image: ensigame.com
The anticipated Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up, inspired by Triumph and Torment, appears unlikely given Downey Jr.'s probable post-Secret Wars absence.
Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
Cumberbatch explained Strange's exclusion from Doomsday stems from the revised storyline. Initially a more prominent figure in the Kang Dynasty version, his role diminished with the narrative shift. This revelation also sheds light on the original plan for Avengers 5, which heavily featured Shang-Chi and the Council of Kangs.
Image: ensigame.com
This seemingly confirms long-standing fan theories connecting the Ten Rings of Power to Kang, a connection further solidified by similarities between the rings and Kang's time ship in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Spider-Man, Not Iron Man, as the Anchor Being?
Avengers: Doomsday centers around the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, leading directly into Secret Wars. Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" (as seen in Deadpool and Wolverine) remains a mystery, though Feige confirmed the anchor is still alive, ruling out Iron Man. The theory suggests Spider-Man is the MCU's anchor, particularly given the shift away from a Doctor Strange/Doctor Doom conflict.
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Both versions of Avengers 5 seem to adapt elements of the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a Battleworld scenario that forms the foundation of Secret Wars. Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is positioned as a pivotal figure, potentially evolving into the God Emperor Doom.
Secret Wars and the MCU Soft Reboot
Secret Wars will be a multiverse film featuring legacy actors, effectively soft-rebooting the MCU. Cumberbatch's extensive revelations highlight Shang-Chi's diminished role in Doomsday, a consequence of the narrative restructuring.
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The film will likely resemble an expanded version of Deadpool and Wolverine, bringing back characters from previous Marvel eras, including X-Men members, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and possibly Venom.
Image: ensigame.com
The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange
Post-Secret Wars, Doctor Strange is poised for a central role in the MCU's X-Men era. This suggests increased involvement in X-Men-related storylines, a possibility hinted at by his appearance in X-Men '97.
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Cumberbatch's comments also indicate significant changes to Doctor Strange 3, potentially delaying its release until after Secret Wars. The film may now incorporate more X-Men-related magical characters or even delve into a classic Defenders storyline or a Midnight Suns team-up, opening possibilities for Moon Knight and even an MCU Ghost Rider.
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Cumberbatch's unintentional spoilers have dramatically altered fan expectations and ignited anticipation for the future of the MCU.
