Marvel Star Benedict Cumberbatch Says Doctor Strange Is Skipping Avengers Doomsday But Is a 'Central' Part of Secret Wars

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 accidentally let slip a spoiler before clarifying, “He’s quite central to where things might go.” He also hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange film in development.

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 Strange's absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it's due to "the character not aligning with this part of the story." This next Avengers installment will star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans, though plot details remain scarce. The Russo Brothers are directing, and the film is expected to continue exploring the multiverse, 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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