Benedict Cumberbatch just went full spoiler on Marvel Future

Benedict Cumberbatch spills the beans on Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, even offering a glimpse into the post-Secret Wars X-Men era of the MCU. Marvel's likely delighted (or perhaps strategically deploying this information).

Table of Contents

• Conspiracy Theory?
• Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
• Spider-Man, Not Iron Man
• Secret Wars
• The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange

Conspiracy Theory?

Probably not a leak. Marvel likely orchestrated the interview to strategically release information, potentially deflecting negative press surrounding other projects.

Cumberbatch confirmed numerous details about both Avengers: Doomsday (formerly Kang Dynasty) and Secret Wars, revealing significant plot changes following Jonathan Majors' departure. Avengers 5 shifted from a Kang-centric narrative to Doomsday, even bringing back Robert Downey Jr.

Image: ensigame.com

While a Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up (like Triumph and Torment) was initially hoped for, Downey Jr.'s post-Secret Wars absence necessitates a revised storyline.

Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Strange's absence from Doomsday stems from his character's original storyline alignment with Kang Dynasty, not Doomsday. The film's restructuring significantly altered his role. Shang-Chi, originally slated as a main character in Kang Dynasty, also experienced a diminished role in the revised Doomsday script.

Image: ensigame.com

This seemingly confirms theories linking the Ten Rings from Shang-Chi's film to Kang, given similarities to Kang's time-ship rings seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man

Avengers: Doomsday heavily features the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, setting the stage for the film's narrative and directly leading into Secret Wars. A post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok's setup for Infinity War, will likely bridge Doomsday to Secret Wars.

Image: ensigame.com

Given Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" and the confirmation that the anchor being is still alive, speculation centers on Spider-Man as the MCU's anchor, rather than Iron Man. Doctor Doom's intended confrontation with the anchor has been altered due to Strange's script removal.

Secret Wars

Image: ensigame.com

Secret Wars remains a multiverse film featuring legacy actors, essentially a soft reboot of the MCU. Shang-Chi's reduced role highlights the shift in focus. Cumberbatch's unintentional disclosures reveal significant plot changes.

Image: ensigame.com

The film will feature survivors from Doomsday and numerous legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films, akin to an expanded version of Deadpool and Wolverine.

The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange

Cumberbatch hints at Doctor Strange's pivotal role in the MCU's X-Men era, potentially involving him in X-Men-related storylines. His self-proclaimed importance suggests a significant power shift within the MCU.

Image: ensigame.com

Doctor Strange's continued involvement in overarching narratives is anticipated, leading to potential Avengers vs. X-Men adaptations. Doctor Strange 3's release has been delayed until after Secret Wars, requiring significant plot revisions. The film might incorporate X-Men-related characters or even a classic Defenders storyline, potentially including Moon Knight and even a potential MCU Ghost Rider.

Image: ensigame.com

Image: ensigame.com

Cumberbatch's revelations leave the door open for numerous possibilities, creating considerable anticipation for the future of the MCU.