Cumberbatch: Doctor Strange Skips Avengers 5, Key to Secret Wars

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, after initially letting slip a spoiler with an expletive, clarified that Strange's absence from Doomsday is due to a narrative decision; his character's arc doesn't align with that particular story. He emphasized that Strange will be "quite central" to the events of Secret Wars.

Cumberbatch also hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange film, expressing enthusiasm for exploring further avenues within the character's rich comic book history. He highlighted Doctor Strange's complexity and internal conflicts as fertile ground for future storytelling. "They are very open to discussing where we go next," he stated, "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."

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show

18 Images

Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on May 1, 2026, 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 the multiverse storyline, potentially featuring Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter. Phase 6 of the MCU begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.