Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Doctor Strange, will be absent from Avengers: Doomsday, but will play a pivotal role in its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars. In an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch inadvertently let slip a spoiler, exclaiming "f*** it" before elaborating on his character's significance. He confirmed that Doctor Strange will be "quite central to where things might go," and hinted at plans for a third standalone Doctor Strange film.
Cumberbatch expressed enthusiasm for the future of the character, stating, "They are very open to discussing where we go next...Who do you want to write and direct the next one? What part of the comic lore do you want to explore so that Strange can keep evolving? 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."
Regarding Doctor Strange's absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it's due to "the character not aligning with this part of the story." This upcoming Avengers installment will star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans, although plot details remain scarce. The Russo Brothers are directing, and the film is expected to continue the multiverse storyline, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also rumored to appear.
Phase 6 of the MCU begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July. Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
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