Benedict Cumberbatch has revealed that his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, 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 initially let slip a spoiler, exclaiming "f*** it" before elaborating on his character's involvement. He confirmed Doctor Strange's "quite central" position in the overarching narrative, and hinted at plans for a third standalone Doctor Strange film. Cumberbatch expressed enthusiasm for the future of the character, stating, "They are very open to discussing where we go next... 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 Doctor Strange's omission from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that the character's arc simply doesn't align with that particular story. Avengers: Doomsday 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 this July with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Avengers: Doomsday is slated for release on May 1, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
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