Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that 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, after initially letting slip a spoiler with an expletive, clarified that Strange’s absence from Doomsday is due to the character's storyline not aligning with that particular film. He added that Strange will be “quite central” to the events of Secret Wars.
Cumberbatch also hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange film, expressing Marvel's openness to exploring further storylines and the character's rich potential. He highlighted the complexity and contradictions within the character, offering ample material for future exploration. "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 stated.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on May 1, 2026, will reportedly star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and 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, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
