Benedict Cumberbatch: Doctor Strange Absent from Avengers Doomsday, Central to Secret Wars

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for portraying Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has revealed that his character will not feature in the upcoming film, *Avengers: Doomsday*, but will instead take on a "central role" in its sequel, *Avengers: Secret Wars*. Speaking candidly to Variety, Cumberbatch humorously exclaimed "f**k it" after inadvertently spilling the beans on his character's involvement in the forthcoming movies. He elaborated on Doctor Strange's significance in the unfolding narrative, stating, "He’s quite central to where things might go." Additionally, Cumberbatch hinted at the development of a third standalone Doctor Strange film, underscoring the creative discussions about the character's future direction. He praised Doctor Strange as a "very rich character to play" due to his complexity and the intriguing blend of human struggles and supernatural abilities.

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Cumberbatch explained his absence from *Avengers: Doomsday* by citing that "the character [doesn't align] with this part of the story." The film, set to release on May 1, 2026, will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly include Chris Evans as well, although specifics remain under wraps. The Russo Brothers, former directors of the Avengers franchise, are at the helm of this project, promising to continue exploring the multiverse with the inclusion of Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter.

Phase 6 of the MCU begins with *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* this July, leading up to the much-anticipated *Avengers: Doomsday* and culminating with *Avengers: Secret Wars* on May 7, 2027. Fans of the MCU can look forward to a thrilling continuation of the saga with these upcoming releases.