Benedict Cumberbatch recently disclosed key details about Marvel's Avengers: Secret Wars and Doomsday, along with hints about the MCU's X-Men era. Marvel and Kevin Feige likely welcomed his candid revelations.
Here’s what we learned:
Table of ContentConspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange’s Absence in Doomsday Spider-Man’s Role in Secret Wars The MCU’s Future and Strange’s Place in It 2 0 Comment on this
Conspiracy Theory?
Unlikely.
Marvel may have encouraged Cumberbatch to share spoilers strategically, a tactic they’ve used to shift focus from negative buzz, like the recent Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively rumors or issues surrounding Captain America: Brave New World.
Cumberbatch confirmed major updates for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, including how Marvel revamped the storyline after parting ways with Jonathan Majors. Avengers 5, originally titled Kang Dynasty, has shifted to Doomsday and reintroduced Robert Downey Jr. as a key figure.
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Fans hoped for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up inspired by the Triumph and Torment comic, but Cumberbatch suggested Downey’s role may conclude after Secret Wars, requiring a fresh approach.
Doctor Strange’s Absence in Doomsday
Cumberbatch hinted that Doctor Strange may only appear in a post-credits scene for Doomsday, setting up Secret Wars. He explained that Strange’s role doesn’t fit the current Doomsday narrative, a shift from his originally larger part in the Kang Dynasty storyline. This change brings new layers to unpack.
In the initial Avengers 5 plan, Kang Dynasty would have spotlighted Shang-Chi alongside Kang the Conqueror and the Council of Kangs. After Marvel retooled the film to center on Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor Von Doom, the narrative shifted significantly.
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This shift supports a fan theory about Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings of Power. When Shang-Chi debuted, speculation swirled about the Rings’ origins and the beacon’s purpose in the post-credits scene. In Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Kang’s time ship featured rings with similar markings, suggesting a connection to the Ten Rings.
Spider-Man, Not Iron Man
Avengers: Doomsday will focus heavily on the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, likely tying directly to their upcoming film, which precedes Doomsday. This aligns with Marvel’s pattern of using post-credits scenes to set up major events, similar to Thor: Ragnarok leading into Infinity War.
Kevin Feige emphasized the concept of “anchor beings” in Deadpool & Wolverine, hinting that the MCU’s anchor is still alive but not Iron Man. Cumberbatch’s comments suggest Spider-Man could be this anchor, potentially facing Doctor Doom in a magic-versus-technology showdown.
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Both versions of Avengers 5—Kang Dynasty and Doomsday—seem to draw from the Time Runs Out storyline, with the multiverse collapsing into a Battleworld for Secret Wars. Here, Downey’s Doctor Doom may emerge as the central villain, possibly as God Emperor Doom.
Secret Wars
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Secret Wars will be a multiverse epic, featuring a team of legacy actors akin to a multiverse Avengers, building on the Endgame formula. Marvel is poised to soft-reboot the MCU, introducing a new era.
Shang-Chi’s role in Doomsday has been scaled back, a disappointment for fans awaiting his sequel. Cumberbatch, perhaps aware he’s sharing too much, continued to reveal details despite admitting he “shouldn’t be saying this.”
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In Secret Wars, Doctor Strange was meant to survive the multiverse’s collapse and reach Battleworld, joined by a mix of surviving MCU characters and legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films, including potential returns of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and classic Fantastic Four stars.
The Future of MCU and Strange
Cumberbatch hinted at Marvel’s post-Secret Wars direction, suggesting a soft reboot and a focus on the X-Men era, with Doctor Strange playing a pivotal role. His appearance in X-Men ’97 supports this shift.
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Cumberbatch’s enthusiasm suggests he sees himself as a key figure in Marvel’s future, potentially leading into Avengers vs. X-Men. He also discussed Doctor Strange 3, noting significant changes. Originally set to release before Kang Dynasty, it was meant to tie into the Council of Kangs via incursion-focused post-credits scenes.
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Now, Doctor Strange 3 may not arrive until after Secret Wars, with a plot likely centered on X-Men-related magic characters. Without a script, the story remains uncertain but could explore a Defenders or Midnight Suns storyline, potentially featuring Moon Knight or even Ghost Rider.
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Cumberbatch’s spoilers open up exciting possibilities for Marvel’s future, from multiverse battles to new team-ups.
