Doctor Strange Steps Aside: Benedict Cumberbatch Skips Avengers: Doomsday but Promises Big Plans for Secret Wars
Known for playing the mysterious and formidable Doctor Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Benedict Cumberbatch has announced that he would not be making an appearance in the eagerly awaited Avengers: Doomsday. But don’t worry, Sorcerer Supreme fans—Cumberbatch promised that Doctor Strange will be a major character in Avengers: Secret Wars. The MCU fandom has already been rocked by this decision, leading to conjecture about what it implies for Doctor Strange’s future and the franchise’s trajectory.
Doctor Strange’s Journey So Far
Since his debut in Doctor Strange (2016), Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the Master of the Mystic Arts has become a cornerstone of the MCU. Over the years, Doctor Strange has evolved from a selfish surgeon to a pivotal figure in the multiverse’s story. With appearances in Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, he has been at the forefront of some of the MCU’s most important and shocking events.
Doctor Strange’s actions, particularly in No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness, have set the stage for the MCU’s current exploration of the multiverse. His willingness to tamper with the fabric of reality and confront alternate versions of himself has made him one of the most fascinating and complex characters in the franchise. It’s no wonder fans are eager to see how he fits into the next two Avengers films.
Benedict Cumberbatch Shocked by Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom
Sitting Out Avengers: Doomsday
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cumberbatch addressed rumors about his involvement in the next Avengers films. “I’m not in Doomsday,” he stated bluntly. “Doctor Strange is taking a little step back in this one. But that doesn’t mean he’s gone or that he’s any less important to the story that we’re telling.”
*Cumberbatch’s absence from Doomsday raises a number of questions about the film’s plot and the overarching narrative of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Will the focus shift to other heroes, like Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Carol Danvers’ Captain Marvel, or Shuri’s Black Panther? Does this mean Doctor Strange will have his own battles to fight during the events of Doomsday?
The Doomsday title alone hints at an apocalyptic event that could rival or even surpass the scale of Infinity War and Endgame. However, Cumberbatch’s comments suggest that Doctor Strange’s absence may be strategic. By sitting out this chapter, Strange could be building up to an even more important role in the climax of Secret Wars.
While Cumberbatch’s announcement of Doomsday may have disappointed fans, his excitement for Secret Wars is palpable. “I’m going to be in Secret Wars,” he confirmed, adding with a smile, “And I’m going to be in a lot of it.”
For those familiar with Marvel Comics, Secret Wars is one of the most ambitious and epic crossover events in the publisher’s history. The storyline, first introduced in 1984 and reimagined in 2015, revolves around a cosmic entity known as the Beyonder (or an equivalent force) who brings together heroes and villains from across the multiverse to fight on a patchwork planet called Battleworld.
Doctor Strange’s deep connection to the multiverse and his role as Sorcerer Supreme make him a prime candidate for a major part in this story. His knowledge of alternate realities, his ability to manipulate time and space, and his leadership qualities make him a natural guide for Earth’s mightiest heroes as they navigate the chaos of Battleworld.
Cumberbatch revealed that Secret Wars will bring fans “something we’ve never seen before in the MCU.” He further explained, “The stakes are higher, the scale is bigger, and the multiverse is going to be a huge part of it. Doctor Strange is going to be at the center of it.”
Cumberbatch’s comments hint at a bright future for Doctor Strange, but they also raise interesting questions about his character arc. In Multiverse of Madness, we saw Strange grapple with his own shortcomings, including his arrogance and the consequences of his decisions. By the end of the film, he has opened himself up to new possibilities, symbolized by his encounter with Clea, played by Charlize Theron.
Will Secret Wars be the culmination of Doctor Strange’s journey? Perhaps the film will explore his role as protector of the multiverse and his growth into a true leader. On the other hand, Secret Wars could challenge Strange in ways we’ve never seen before, forcing him to confront his limits and make sacrifices on an even larger scale.
Another interesting possibility is the introduction of alternate versions of Doctor Strange, a concept explored in What If…? and Multiverse of Madness. Could Secret Wars bring back fan-favorite variations like Strange Supreme or introduce entirely new versions of the character?
Marvel Studios’ strategic strategy for the Multiverse Saga is further highlighted by Cumberbatch’s remarks. The MCU is able to preserve its narrative complexity while providing each hero with their own opportunity to shine by dividing the attention among several characters and plotlines.
This tactic might include the choice to have Doctor Strange skip Doomsday but play a significant part in Secret Wars. Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, has stressed the significance of the universe in Phase 5 and beyond, and Doctor Strange is in a unique position to serve as the central plot point.
Closing Thoughts
The announcements made by Benedict Cumberbatch regarding Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday provide insight into Marvel’s long-term plans for the MCU. Doctor Strange’s pledge to play a major role in Secret Wars is more than enough to keep fans excited, even though they might miss him in the upcoming Avengers film.
One thing is certain as the Multiverse Saga progresses: Doctor Strange’s adventure is far from finished. The Sorcerer Supreme will continue to play a crucial role in the future of the MCU, whether he is guiding the heroes of the cosmos, combating cosmic forces, or traversing alternative realities.
Therefore, even though Avengers: Doomsday will be a spectacular show in and of itself, the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch will appear “in a lot” of Secret Wars guarantees that the best is still to come.
