Marvel Star Benedict Cumberbatch Says Doctor Strange Is Skipping Avengers Doomsday But Is a 'Central' Part of 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-laden “f*** it,” elaborated on Doctor Strange's significance in the upcoming films, stating that the character is "quite central to where things might go." He also confirmed that a third standalone Doctor Strange film is in the works.

Cumberbatch expressed enthusiasm for the future of the character, highlighting the opportunities for further development: "They are very open to discussing where we go next," he 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 "the character not aligning with this part of the story." This next Avengers installment will star Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans, although details remain scarce. The Russo Brothers are directing, and the film is expected to continue exploring the multiverse, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also rumored to appear.

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

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