Benedict Cumberbatch: Doctor Strange Absent from Avengers Doomsday, Central in Secret Wars

Benedict Cumberbatch, the acclaimed actor behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Doctor Strange, recently confirmed that his character will not be joining the next major team-up in Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans of the sorcerer supreme can rejoice as Cumberbatch revealed that Doctor Strange will have a "central role" in the subsequent film, Avengers: Secret Wars.

During an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch inadvertently dropped this spoiler, humorously exclaiming "f**k it" before sharing further insights about Doctor Strange's future in the MCU. He teased that his character "is quite central to where things might go" and hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange movie in development. Cumberbatch expressed enthusiasm about the creative discussions regarding the direction of his character, mentioning the exploration of comic lore and the evolution of Doctor Strange. He praised the character's complexity and the rich potential for storytelling, describing Doctor Strange as a "complex, contradictory, troubled human with extraordinary abilities."

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Regarding his absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it was a decision based on "the character not aligning with this part of the story." This upcoming Avengers installment, set to release on May 1, 2026, will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, and there are rumors of Chris Evans' involvement as well, though details remain scarce. The film will be directed by the Russo Brothers, known for their previous work on Avengers films, and will continue to delve into the multiverse narrative, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter reportedly making an appearance.

Looking ahead, Phase 6 of the MCU will commence with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, followed by Avengers: Doomsday and culminating with Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027. With Doctor Strange set to play a pivotal role in Secret Wars, fans have much to look forward to in the evolving universe of Marvel.