Cumberbatch: Doctor Strange Skips Avengers, Central 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 choice, stating the character's arc doesn't align with that particular story. He emphasized, however, that Doctor 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 lore. He highlighted the character's complexity and potential for continued development, stating, "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, he added, is receptive to ideas for the future of the character.

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Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on May 1, 2026, will star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans, although plot details remain scarce. The Russo Brothers are directing, and the film is expected to continue the multiverse storyline, with Hayley Atwell’s Agent Carter also rumored to appear. The next phase of the MCU begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.