Benedict Cumberbatch is opening up about Doctor Strange’s future in the MCU going forward.
Cumberbatch first played Stephen Strange in 2016’s Doctor Strange, which was directed by Scott Derrickson. He went on to reprise the role in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, 2022’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, and 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while he also voiced the character in What If…?
As Marvel Studios is now preparing for two major ensemble movies, 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars, Cumberbatch has revealed what role Doctor Strange will play in both films.
What did Benedict Cumberbatch say about Doctor Strange’s MCU future?
Speaking with Variety, Cumberbatch revealed that Doctor Strange will not be in Avengers: Doomsday.
Cumberbatch said, “Is that a spoiler? F— it!”
The reason for Stephen Strange’s absence from Doomsday, Cumberbatch said, is because the character doesn’t align “with this part of the story.” He also noted that the script for the movie changed after Jonathan Major’s Kang character was written out of Doomsday.
Doctor Strange will, however, be “in a lot” of Avengers: Secret Wars, Cumberbatch said.
“He’s quite central to where things might go,” he commented.
Additionally, Cumberbatch said that Marvel is “very open to discussing where we might go next” regarding a potential third solo movie.
“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,” Cumberbatch explained. “He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with.”
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on May 1, 2026. Avengers: Secret Wars follows on May 7, 2027. Both films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo.
Originally reported by Brandon Schreur on SuperHeroHype.
