Benedict Cumberbatchhas taken Doctor Strange fans on a rollercoaster ride recently. Late last week, the acclaimed actor surprised moviegoers by revealing that his popular character will not be appearing in the 2026 Marvel Cinematic Universe filmAvengers: Doomsday, despite having played an important role in the most recent Avengers films: 2018’sAvengers: Infinity Warand 2019’sAvengers: Endgame.
However, days later, he stated that he was mistaken and thatDoctor Strange would actually be present in the movie. He seems more confident about his involvement in the subsequent film,Avengers: Secret Wars, tentatively scheduled for a 2027 release, noting thatStrange has a significant role in that entry, although, as he notes in his most recent statement, his confusion overDoomsdaycalls the accuracy of much of his talk on the subject into question. But whatever the case, and despite fans understandably wanting to see as much of the character as they can, the truth is that Strange doesn’t necessarily need to be in both parts of the duology, for various reasons, and if he must be excluded from one film,Doomsdayis the more logical choice.
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Might Not Have Room for Doctor Strange — And That’s OK
One of the reasonsInfinity WarandEndgame, which tell a two-part story similar to what viewers expect ofDoomsdayandSecret Wars, were the historic successes they were, was because they were methodical in choosing which characters to focus on.Infinity War’s cast is itself enormous, featuring a wide assortment of A-list movie stars and skilled character actors, but virtually every character contributes in important ways to the plot, themes, and/or emotional arcs. It’s only in the time travel mission, climactic battle, and closing scenes inEndgamethat major characters and actors begin to appear in brief cameos to help celebrate the end of the Infinity Saga.
As the conclusion of the subsequent Multiverse Saga, which has expanded outside the MCU to establish connections to past live-action Marvel projects dating as far back as 1998’sBlade,Secret Warswill presumably employ a similar approach, featuring an assortment of cameos and brief supporting roles in addition to a main cast that will itself almost certainly be quite large. So,it makes sense for at least a few major figures like Strange to potentially sitDoomsdayout,but only so that the sequel can enjoy a similar effect of escalation and because the 2026 film already has plenty to do.
How Will Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Impact ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Secret Wars’?
The main antagonist ofDoomsdayandSecret Warshas been revealed as Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom, with Iron Man starRobert Downey Jr.returning to the MCU to take on the role of one of the comics’ most iconic villains. Although rumors abound that the character will briefly be introduced in this summer’sThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, given that the titular team are Doom’s archenemies in the comics, that film is set in the 1960s of an alternate universe, so Doom’s arrival on the MCU’s main Earth-616 in the present day would still require a significant amount of attention, especially asmany of Tony Stark’s fellow superheroes and loved ones will likely be emotionally effected by Doom’s resemblance to the fallen hero. Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigehas confirmed thatThe Fantastic Four themselves will also be featured inDoomsday, and their interactions with the main universe cast will also presumably be a significant focus.
Former Captain America and Avengers starsChris EvansandHayley Atwellhave both been announced as appearing in the film (though Evans denies this) and while it’s not confirmed whether they are playing the original versions of fan favorite characters Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter (who were last seen reunited as a romantic couple in the 1940s), alternate universe variants, or separate roles entirely (as Evans did in last year’sDeadpool & Wolverine), each case would require time or multiversal travel, or other supernatural means, to include them in the present-day, main universe narrative. The same is true of other legacy characters from previous Marvel franchises, such as the leads and many of the supporting characters fromDeadpool & Wolverine. WhileSecret Warswill, again, presumably feature many more of these alternate universe figures,there’s a good chanceDoomsdaywill include at least a few more than have been announced so farand each of their introductions and roles in the films will likely be fairly complex.
Sebastian Stan Is Great in ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘A Different Man,’ But Bucky Barnes Is Still One of His Best Roles
The Oscar-nominated actor has been evolving with the MCU for over a decade.
In addition to all that,the film also has to make time to focus on whichever main universe cast members are included. Unless speculation about a possible title change for the ensemble-focusedThunderbolts*proves accurate,Doomsdaywill be the first actual Avengers crossover film of the Multiverse Saga and currently the superheroes of universe 616 are mostly isolated from one another, both across Earth and throughout the cosmos. While any of the other projects that will be released between now andDoomsday’s 2026 premiere date could see some more heroes coming together, there will likely still be plenty of introductions to be made and new dynamics to flesh out, both between returning regulars and more recently introduced figures.
Doctor Strange Could Use a Smaller Story Before ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’
Strange himself could also benefit from a more independent story for his next appearance. The character was last seen in his second solo film,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, at the end of which his body, and possibly his mind, are altered by the aftermath of his use of dark magic before he is recruited to fix an “incursion” by the mysterious Clea (Charlize Theron). Incursions, which are collisions between two or more universes that usually result in the destruction of one or both worlds, are important to the plot of the 2015Secret Warscomics the 2027 film is inspired by, so Cumberbatch’s comments about Strange playing an important role in that movie aren’t surprising. Butexploring his seemingly cursed state and fleshing out the character of Clea, who is one of Strange’s most popular love interests in the comics,might be tasks best left to a project with a less extensive cast, whether that’s a possible third Doctor Strange solo film or another story — especially so the Oscar-winning Theron receives a suitably sizable role.
As Evans’ denial and Cumberbatch’s later comments emphasize, it’s hard to know what information about a Marvel movie or TV show to believe until one actually sees the project with their own eyes. This is especially true in regard to casting, given how franchise actors likeAndrew GarfieldandDafne Keenhave had to publicly lie to conceal their appearances in recent projects. But regardless of whether or not Doctor Strange specifically appears inDoomsday, the creators of the film would benefit from being selective about the cast they assemble so that the film can tell the most effective and focused story possible.
