Benedict Cumberbatch just went full spoiler on Marvel Future

Benedict Cumberbatch recently spilled the beans on the upcoming Marvel films, Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, causing quite a stir in the Marvel community. Not only did he touch on these blockbuster events, but he also hinted at the future of the MCU, including the integration of the X-Men era post-Secret Wars. Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige were likely taken aback by this unexpected reveal, considering their usual tight control over such information.

Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange is Not in Doomsday

Is it a conspiracy or just a strategic move by Marvel? Cumberbatch confirmed that Doctor Strange will not appear in Avengers: Doomsday, sparking speculation about his role in the MCU's future. This decision seems to be part of a larger narrative shift following the departure of Jonathan Majors, which led to the transformation of Avengers 5 from Kang Dynasty to Doomsday. Intriguingly, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return, hinting at significant changes to the storyline.

Cumberbatch mentioned a potential post-credits scene in Doomsday that could set up Secret Wars, suggesting that Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday is a deliberate choice to align with the new story direction. This shift also impacts other characters, such as Shang-Chi, who was initially planned to be a key figure in the Kang Dynasty version of the film. The new focus on Victor Von Doom and Robert Downey Jr. suggests a major overhaul, possibly confirming theories about the origins of the Ten Rings of Power seen in Shang-Chi.

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Fans were hoping for a Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up akin to the "Triumph and Torment" comic storyline, but with Robert Downey Jr.'s character not surviving beyond Secret Wars, Marvel is steering the narrative in a different direction.

Spider-Man, Not the Iron Man

Avengers: Doomsday will heavily feature the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into the film from their own universe. This setup seems to be a strategic move to culminate the MCU's current phase. A post-credits scene might link directly to Doomsday, similar to how Thor: Ragnarok set up Infinity War.

The concept of "anchor beings" introduced by Kevin Feige during Deadpool and Wolverine suggests a central figure in the MCU's narrative. With Iron Man ruled out, Cumberbatch's comments hint that Spider-Man might be this anchor, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with Doctor Doom.

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Both versions of Avengers 5, whether Kang Dynasty or Doomsday, seem inspired by the "Time Runs Out" storyline, where the multiverse collapses into Battleworld, leading into Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. will reportedly play a pivotal role in this saga, transitioning from savior to villain as God Emperor Doom.

Secret Wars

Secret Wars is poised to be a grand multiverse event, featuring a team of legacy actors akin to a multiverse Avengers squad. This film will serve as a soft reboot for the MCU, integrating new and old characters into the narrative. Cumberbatch's revelations suggest a massive cast, including X-Men characters, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Men, and even classic Fantastic Four actors.

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In the original plan, Doctor Strange was to be one of the survivors on Battleworld, but with the narrative changes, the cast and story have evolved significantly. The film will be a larger version of the multiverse crossover seen in Deadpool and Wolverine, bringing back beloved characters from the pre-MCU era.

The Future of MCU and Strange

Looking beyond Secret Wars, Cumberbatch indicated that Doctor Strange will be central to the MCU's X-Men era. This suggests a deep integration of Doctor Strange into mutant-centric stories, possibly including his appearance in X-Men '97. His role could expand into higher-level storylines across Marvel Phase 7, potentially leading to an Avengers vs. X-Men cinematic showdown.

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Doctor Strange 3, initially planned to precede Kang Dynasty, might now be released post-Secret Wars. This shift would necessitate a complete overhaul of its plot, focusing less on incursions and more on the integration of X-Men and magic-based characters. Cumberbatch's enthusiasm hints at a significant role for Doctor Strange in the MCU's future, possibly leading a classic Defenders or Midnight Suns team-up.

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With no script yet for Doctor Strange 3, the possibilities are endless. The film could explore a Midnight Suns storyline, potentially featuring characters like Moon Knight and even Ghost Rider, as hinted by Ryan Reynolds during Deadpool and Wolverine. Cumberbatch's interview has opened up a world of exciting possibilities for Marvel fans.

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