Benedict Cumberbatch: Doctor Strange Central to Secret Wars, Skips Avengers Doomsday

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his portrayal of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has revealed that his character will not be featured in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans can look forward to seeing Doctor Strange play a "central role" in the subsequent film, Avengers: Secret Wars.

In an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch inadvertently dropped a spoiler, humorously saying "f**k it," before sharing further details about his character's future in the MCU. He hinted that Doctor Strange would be pivotal in the unfolding narrative, stating, "He's quite central to where things might go." Additionally, Cumberbatch disclosed plans for a third standalone Doctor Strange movie, emphasizing the ongoing discussions about the direction of the franchise. "They are very open to discussing where we go next," he said. "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."

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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 as well, will be directed by the Russo Brothers, known for their previous work on Avengers films. Avengers: Doomsday will continue the MCU's exploration of the multiverse, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also rumored to appear.

Looking ahead, Phase 6 of the MCU will kick off with The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July. Following that, Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars set to launch on May 7, 2027.