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

Benedict Cumberbatch reveals Doctor Strange's absence from Avengers: Doomsday, but confirms a pivotal role in its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars. In a recent interview with Variety, Cumberbatch accidentally let slip a spoiler before elaborating on his character's future. He stated that Doctor Strange will be "quite central" to the overarching narrative. Furthermore, Cumberbatch hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange film being in the works.

He expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing development of the character, emphasizing the rich potential for exploring Doctor Strange's complex and contradictory nature. "He’s a very rich character to play," Cumberbatch said. "He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with." Marvel Studios, he added, is open to discussions regarding the direction of future projects, including potential writers and directors.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Upcoming Projects

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Cumberbatch explained Doctor Strange's omission from Avengers: Doomsday as a matter of character alignment with the storyline. This upcoming installment will feature 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 the multiverse storyline, potentially including Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter.

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.