Benedict Cumberbatch Reveals All: Marvel Future Spoiled

Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange is Not in Doomsday

In an unexpected turn of events, Benedict Cumberbatch recently shared extensive details about the upcoming Marvel films Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday. His revelations have stirred the pot, especially concerning the absence of Doctor Strange in Doomsday.

It's highly unlikely that Marvel would allow such a significant leak without a strategy in place. They have a history of using tactical spoilers to shift focus away from negative publicity, such as the recent buzz around Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively or the issues surrounding Captain America: Brave New World.

Cumberbatch's disclosures included major plot changes for Avengers: Doomsday, previously known as Kang Dynasty. The film has pivoted from focusing on Kang the Conqueror to introducing Victor Von Doom, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU. This shift has led to significant alterations in character arcs, particularly following the departure of Jonathan Majors.

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While fans hoped for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up reminiscent of the Triumph and Torment comic, it appears that Robert Downey Jr.'s character won't survive past Secret Wars. This necessitates a new direction for the storyline.

Doctor Strange is Not in Doomsday

Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday is notable, with Cumberbatch suggesting that Strange may only appear in a post-credits scene to set up Secret Wars. The change in the storyline from Kang Dynasty to Doomsday has shifted the narrative away from Strange's original role, which was more significant in the Kang-focused plot.

Originally, Avengers 5 was set to feature Shang-Chi prominently alongside Kang and the Council of Kangs. However, the recast of Kang and the introduction of Victor Von Doom have led to a retooling of the film, downgrading Shang-Chi's role.

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This shift confirms long-standing theories about Shang-Chi's Ten Rings of Power, especially their connection to Kang's time ship seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The original post-credits scene in Shang-Chi hinted at a larger connection to Kang, now altered due to the new direction of the MCU.

Spider-Man, Not the Iron Man

Avengers: Doomsday will pivot heavily towards the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into the film from the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. This setup suggests a post-credits scene similar to Thor: Ragnarok, which will transition into Doomsday.

Kevin Feige's concept of anchor beings, introduced during Deadpool and Wolverine, plays a significant role here. While Feige kept the identity of the MCU's anchor being under wraps, it's clear that Iron Man isn't it. Cumberbatch's comments imply that Spider-Man might be the anchor, especially given the absence of Doctor Strange from Doomsday.

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Both versions of Avengers 5—the original Kang Dynasty and the new Doomsday—seem to be adaptations of the Time Runs Out storyline, leading to a multiverse collapse and the creation of Battle World in Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr.'s character will take on the role of God Emperor Doom, attempting to save the multiverse while ultimately becoming its main villain.

Secret Wars

Secret Wars is set to be a multiverse event, featuring a team of legacy actors in a sort of multiverse Avengers team. This approach signals a soft reboot of the MCU, bringing back familiar faces like Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and classic Fantastic Four actors.

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Cumberbatch's revelations also touch on Shang-Chi's diminished role in Doomsday, a disappointment given the anticipation for his sequel. However, his presence in the film remains, albeit less significant.

In Secret Wars, Doctor Strange was originally slated to survive the multiverse's destruction and reach Battle World. Most MCU characters were expected to perish in a manner reminiscent of the Infinity War snap, with Secret Wars featuring a mix of surviving MCU heroes and legacy actors.

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The film is expected to be a larger-scale version of Deadpool and Wolverine, potentially bringing back the X-Men and other beloved characters not seen in the latter.

The Future of MCU and Strange

Post-Secret Wars, Marvel plans a soft reboot, with Doctor Strange playing a central role in the upcoming X-Men era of the MCU. Cumberbatch's enthusiasm suggests that Strange will be integral to this new phase, possibly even becoming the new "Marvel Jesus" akin to the Deadpool references.

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Doctor Strange 3 was initially set to release before Kang Dynasty, focusing on incursions and setting up the Council of Kangs. However, with the delays and changes, Doctor Strange 3 may now release post-Secret Wars, shifting its focus to align with the new multiverse narrative and the X-Men era.

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The film could explore more traditional comic book storylines, such as the Defenders or the Midnight Suns, potentially featuring characters like Moon Knight and even bringing back Nicholas Cage's Ghost Rider.

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Cumberbatch's candid interview has opened up numerous possibilities for the future of the MCU, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what's next for Doctor Strange and the broader Marvel universe.