Benedict Cumberbatch recently spilled the beans on the upcoming Marvel projects, including Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, along with a glimpse into the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and its X-Men era. Marvel and Kevin Feige seem to be strategically using these revelations to shift focus from other ongoing issues, such as the Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively situation and the negative buzz around Captain America: Brave New World.
Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence in Doomsday
There's a buzz about Doctor Strange not being part of Avengers: Doomsday. Cumberbatch clarified that his character's absence is due to the storyline shift from Kang Dynasty to Doomsday, which no longer aligns with Doctor Strange's arc. Originally, Doctor Strange was set to play a significant role in the Kang Dynasty narrative, alongside Shang-Chi, who was also supposed to be a key character. However, with the introduction of Victor Von Doom and the return of Robert Downey Jr., the plot has taken a new direction.
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Fans were hoping for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up reminiscent of the comic Triumph and Torment, but it seems that won't happen with Robert Downey Jr.'s involvement limited to Secret Wars.
Spider-Man, Not Iron Man
Avengers: Doomsday will focus more on the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, leading directly into the film. A post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok, is expected to set up the beginning of Doomsday. Kevin Feige's concept of "anchor beings" was highlighted during Deadpool and Wolverine, and while he didn't specify who the MCU's anchor is, it's clear that Iron Man isn't it. Cumberbatch's comments suggest that Spider-Man might be the anchor, especially with Doctor Strange's absence from the script.
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Both versions of Avengers 5—Kang Dynasty and Doomsday—seem to be inspired by the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in the multiverse collapsing into Battleworld, setting the stage for Secret Wars.
Secret Wars
Secret Wars is poised to be a multiverse epic, featuring a team of legacy actors akin to a multiverse Avengers squad. This film will serve as a soft reboot for the MCU, with Doctor Strange initially planned to be among the survivors on Battleworld. However, with the multiverse's collapse, most MCU characters are expected to meet a fate similar to the Infinity War snap, leaving room for a new cast, including legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films.
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Cumberbatch's revelations also touched on Shang-Chi's reduced role in Doomsday, a disappointment for fans awaiting a sequel. The actor's candidness continued as he hinted at more spoilers, suggesting a larger-scale version of Deadpool and Wolverine with the return of X-Men characters, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and classic Fantastic Four actors.
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The Future of MCU and Doctor Strange
Post-Secret Wars, the MCU is set for a soft reboot, with Doctor Strange playing a pivotal role in the upcoming X-Men era. Cumberbatch's enthusiasm suggests he sees himself as central to this new phase, possibly even as the "new Marvel Jesus." The actor's comments indicate that Doctor Strange will be involved in higher-level storytelling across Marvel Phase 7, potentially leading to an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.
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Regarding Doctor Strange 3, the film's release might be delayed until after Secret Wars, necessitating a complete plot overhaul. Originally, it was meant to lead into Kang Dynasty with a focus on incursions, but now it could explore more X-Men-related magic or even a classic Defenders storyline. Alternatively, it might serve as a platform for a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially featuring Moon Knight and even an MCU version of Ghost Rider.
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Image: ensigame.com
Cumberbatch's revelations have opened up a world of possibilities for the MCU's future, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what's next.
