"Benedict Cumberbatch: Doctor Strange Central to Secret Wars, Skips Avengers Doomsday"

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for portraying Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently confirmed that his character will not appear in the upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans can look forward to seeing Doctor Strange take a "central role" in the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars.

In an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch inadvertently dropped a spoiler and humorously remarked, "f\*\*k it," before sharing more about Doctor Strange's future. He hinted at the character's pivotal role in the narrative direction of the MCU, stating, "He’s quite central to where things might go." Furthermore, Cumberbatch revealed that a third standalone Doctor Strange film is in the works. He expressed enthusiasm about the creative discussions surrounding the character's development, emphasizing the richness and complexity of Doctor Strange as a "troubled human with extraordinary abilities."

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Regarding his absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it's due to "the character not aligning with this part of the story." The film, set to be directed by the Russo Brothers, will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans as well. It will continue to explore the multiverse theme, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also slated to appear.

Phase 6 of the MCU will commence with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July. Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.