Benedict Cumberbatch Reveals All About Marvel Future

Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence in Doomsday

Benedict Cumberbatch's recent revelations about the upcoming Marvel projects have sparked a flurry of discussions and theories among fans. While Marvel typically maintains a tight lid on spoilers, it appears that the actor's candid disclosure might be a strategic move to shift focus from other controversies, such as those surrounding Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, and the challenges faced by the production of "Captain America: Brave New World."

Cumberbatch confirmed significant changes to the MCU's storyline, particularly with "Avengers: Doomsday" and "Secret Wars." Notably, "Avengers 5" has shifted from being titled "Kang Dynasty" to "Doomsday," a change influenced by the departure of Jonathan Majors. This shift also sees the return of Robert Downey Jr., which is a thrilling development for fans.

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Many fans were hoping for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up akin to the comic storyline "Triumph and Torment," but Cumberbatch indicated that Robert Downey Jr.'s role might not extend beyond "Secret Wars." This suggests a new direction for the MCU narrative.

Doctor Strange's Role in Doomsday

Contrary to expectations, Doctor Strange will not feature prominently in "Doomsday." Cumberbatch hinted that Strange's absence from the film is due to the character's misalignment with the revised storyline. Originally, Strange was set to play a significant role in the "Kang Dynasty" version, which would have included Shang-Chi as a key character.

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The shift to "Doomsday" has led to speculation about Shang-Chi's reduced role and the connection between his Ten Rings of Power and Kang's time ship seen in "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania." This has reignited theories about the origins of the Ten Rings and their significance in the MCU.

Spider-Man: Not the Iron Man

"Avengers: Doomsday" will focus more on the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, setting the stage for the final battle. The film's narrative will directly lead into "Doomsday," with a post-credits scene similar to "Thor: Ragnarok." This scene might introduce the concept of anchor beings, a term coined by Kevin Feige during discussions about "Deadpool and Wolverine." While Feige confirmed that the anchor being is still alive, ruling out Iron Man, Cumberbatch's comments suggest that Spider-Man could be this pivotal character.

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Both versions of "Avengers 5" seem to adapt the "Time Runs Out" storyline, culminating in the collapse of the multiverse into Battle World, the setting for "Secret Wars." In this scenario, Robert Downey Jr.'s character will take on a role similar to Doctor Doom's in the comics, attempting to save the multiverse while becoming its main villain, the God Emperor Doom.

Secret Wars

"Secret Wars" is poised to be a multiverse-spanning epic, featuring a team of legacy actors akin to a multiverse Avengers squad. This film will serve as a soft reboot for the MCU, introducing new dynamics and characters.

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Cumberbatch's revelations also touched on the reduced role of Shang-Chi in "Doomsday," a disappointing development for fans eagerly awaiting a sequel. The actor's candidness about the MCU's plans suggests that "Secret Wars" will feature a diverse cast, including survivors from the multiverse collapse and legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films.

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In "Secret Wars," Doctor Strange was initially intended to be one of the survivors reaching Battle World. The film would have seen a significant portion of the MCU characters perish, akin to the "Infinity War" snap, setting the stage for a new era with a mix of MCU and legacy characters.

The Future of MCU and Strange

Looking beyond "Secret Wars," Cumberbatch indicated that Doctor Strange will be integral to the MCU's X-Men era. This could involve Strange in X-Men-centric stories, as hinted by his appearance in "X-Men '97."

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Cumberbatch's enthusiasm in the interview suggests he sees Doctor Strange as a central figure in the evolving MCU narrative, potentially as the "new Marvel Jesus." As the MCU moves into Phase 7, Doctor Strange is expected to be involved in major storylines, including "Avengers vs. X-Men."

The planned "Doctor Strange 3" has undergone significant changes. Initially slated to precede "Kang Dynasty," it was meant to set up the incursions leading to the Council of Kangs. However, with "Doctor Strange 3" now potentially delayed until after "Secret Wars," its plot will need to adapt to the post-incursion multiverse.

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Cumberbatch hinted that "Doctor Strange 3" could explore more X-Men-based magic or even delve into a classic Defenders storyline, with Doctor Strange leading the team. Alternatively, the film might focus on a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially featuring characters like Moon Knight and even Ghost Rider, as teased by Ryan Reynolds.

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With so many possibilities on the horizon, Cumberbatch's revelations have given fans much to ponder and anticipate in the ever-evolving world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.