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 pivotal role in the MCU's future, while confirming his absence from Avengers: Doomsday. In a recent interview with Variety, Cumberbatch, while initially dropping a spoiler, confirmed that Doctor Strange will be "quite central" to the events of Avengers: Secret Wars. He even hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange film in development.

Cumberbatch elaborated on the character's future, stating that Marvel is open to exploring various avenues for Doctor Strange's continued evolution. He highlighted the character's inherent complexity and contradictions as a source of rich storytelling potential.

"They are very open to discussing where we go next," Cumberbatch said. "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 Doctor Strange's omission from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it's due to a narrative decision, with the character's arc not aligning with that specific storyline. Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a May 1, 2026 release, will reportedly star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and Chris Evans, with the Russo Brothers directing and continuing the multiverse storyline. Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter is also rumored to appear.

The MCU's Phase 6 begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, followed by Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 1, 2026, and May 7, 2027, respectively.

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