Benedict Cumberbatch has recently unveiled a wealth of information regarding the upcoming Marvel projects, including "Avengers: Secret Wars" and "Avengers: Doomsday," along with hints about the future X-Men era. This revelation has undoubtedly stirred excitement among fans and possibly even Marvel's leadership, including Kevin Feige.
Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence in Doomsday
Contrary to popular belief, the absence of Doctor Strange in "Avengers: Doomsday" is not a mere oversight. Cumberbatch's disclosures suggest that Marvel might have strategically planned this move, possibly as a tactical spoiler to divert attention from other controversial topics, such as the Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively situation or the negative buzz around "Captain America: Brave New World."
Cumberbatch confirmed that "Avengers 5," previously titled "Kang Dynasty," has been rebranded to "Doomsday" following the departure of Jonathan Majors. This shift has led to significant changes in the storyline, including the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, which was a surprising twist for many.
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Fans hoping for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up, reminiscent of the "Triumph and Torment" comic, might be disappointed. Cumberbatch hinted that Downey Jr.'s involvement might be limited to "Secret Wars," suggesting a different narrative direction for "Doomsday."
Doctor Strange's Role in Doomsday
According to Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange's absence from "Doomsday" is due to the character's misalignment with the revised storyline. Initially, Strange was set to play a significant role in the Kang-centric plot, but with the shift to "Doomsday," his involvement has been reduced to potentially a post-credits scene setting up "Secret Wars."
The original "Kang Dynasty" plan included Shang-Chi as a key character, focusing on the Council of Kangs. However, the new "Doomsday" version introduces Victor Von Doom and brings back Robert Downey Jr., retooling the film's focus.
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This change also confirms long-standing theories about Shang-Chi's Ten Rings of Power, particularly their connection to Kang's time ship in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." The rings' similar designs and inscriptions suggest a deeper link to Kang's narrative, which was meant to culminate in "Kang Dynasty."
Spider-Man, Not Iron Man
"Avengers: Doomsday" pivots heavily towards the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, setting the stage for the final film before "Secret Wars." This narrative shift aligns with the Fantastic Four universe's introduction in the MCU, leading directly into "Doomsday."
The film will likely include a post-credits scene similar to "Thor: Ragnarok," setting up the beginning of "Doomsday." Kevin Feige's concept of "anchor beings" introduced during "Deadpool and Wolverine" suggests that a pivotal character, still alive, holds the MCU together. While Iron Man was once considered this figure, Cumberbatch's comments imply that Spider-Man might now be the anchor.
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Both versions of "Avengers 5," whether "Kang Dynasty" or "Doomsday," seem inspired by the "Time Runs Out" storyline, where the multiverse collapses into Battleworld, setting the stage for "Secret Wars." In this new narrative, Robert Downey Jr. might play a role akin to Doctor Doom, attempting to save the multiverse before becoming its primary antagonist as God Emperor Doom.
Secret Wars
"Secret Wars" was always envisioned as a multiverse film featuring legacy actors forming a multiverse Avengers team, essentially soft rebooting the MCU. Cumberbatch's revelations confirm this direction, with "Secret Wars" featuring a mix of surviving MCU characters and legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films.
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The shift in focus has also affected Shang-Chi's role, downgrading his importance in "Doomsday." This change has delayed his sequel, with director Destin Daniel Cretton being redirected to work on "Kang Dynasty" and the new Spider-Man film. Despite this, Shang-Chi remains part of the narrative, albeit in a reduced capacity.
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In "Secret Wars," Doctor Strange was initially planned to survive the multiverse's destruction and arrive at Battleworld. The film would feature a drastically different cast from "Doomsday," including surviving MCU characters and numerous legacy actors. This setup could be likened to an expanded version of "Deadpool and Wolverine," bringing back iconic characters like Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man, and classic Fantastic Four actors.
The Future of MCU and Doctor Strange
Cumberbatch also discussed the MCU's trajectory post-"Secret Wars," hinting at a soft reboot and the integration of the X-Men era. Doctor Strange appears to be central to this new phase, potentially involved in X-Men-related storylines.
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Cumberbatch's enthusiasm suggests he sees Doctor Strange as a pivotal figure in the MCU's future, possibly likening him to a "Marvel Jesus" figure, echoing the concept introduced in "Deadpool and Wolverine." This positions Doctor Strange as a key player in the upcoming Phase 7, particularly in the anticipated "Avengers vs. X-Men" storyline.
The third Doctor Strange film, initially planned to precede "Kang Dynasty," has seen significant changes. Cumberbatch indicated that "Doctor Strange 3" might not be released until after "Secret Wars," necessitating a complete overhaul of its plot. The film could now explore more X-Men-related magic or delve into a classic Defenders storyline, with Doctor Strange leading the team.
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Alternatively, "Doctor Strange 3" might focus on a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially featuring characters like Moon Knight and even bringing back Nicholas Cage as Ghost Rider, as hinted at by Ryan Reynolds. With no script finalized yet, the possibilities for "Doctor Strange 3" are wide open, promising exciting new directions for the MCU.
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