Benedict Cumberbatch has confirmed that his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Doctor Strange, will not appear in the upcoming film *Avengers: Doomsday*. However, fans can look forward to seeing Doctor Strange take on a "central role" in the subsequent installment, *Avengers: Secret Wars*. In a candid moment with Variety, Cumberbatch exclaimed "f\*\*k it" after inadvertently revealing this spoiler, further elaborating on his character's significance in future MCU projects. He teased that Doctor Strange will be "quite central to where things might go" and hinted at a third standalone Doctor Strange film in development.
Cumberbatch expressed enthusiasm about the creative discussions surrounding the future of Doctor Strange, emphasizing the collaborative process with Marvel on deciding the next writer and director, as well as exploring different facets of the character's comic lore. "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," he remarked, underscoring the depth and potential for further development of Doctor Strange.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Every Upcoming Movie and TV Show
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Regarding his absence from *Avengers: Doomsday*, Cumberbatch explained that it stems from "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, though details remain scarce. The storyline is expected to delve further into the multiverse, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also rumored to make an appearance.
Phase 6 of the MCU is set to commence with *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* this July, followed by *Avengers: Doomsday* on May 1, 2026, and culminating with *Avengers: Secret Wars* on May 7, 2027.
