Doctor Strange to Sit Out Avengers: Doomsday, Back for Secret Wars

Benedict Cumberbatch reveals Doctor Strange's pivotal role in future MCU installments. While skipping Avengers: Doomsday, the Sorcerer Supreme will be "quite central" to the sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, and a third standalone Doctor Strange film is also in the works.

In a recent interview with Variety, Cumberbatch playfully acknowledged a spoiler slip-up, confirming Strange's significant involvement in the upcoming Avengers films. He emphasized the character's depth and potential for further exploration, 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." The actor also indicated open discussions regarding the direction of future Doctor Strange projects, including the choice of writer and director, and which aspects of the comic book lore to adapt.

Regarding Strange's absence from Avengers: Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained that it's due to a narrative disconnect, stating the character's arc doesn't align with that particular storyline. This upcoming Avengers film, helmed by the Russo Brothers, will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans, continuing the multiverse storyline and potentially including Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Upcoming Films and TV Shows

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