Benedict Cumberbatch Announces a Hiatus for Doctor Strange in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Benedict Cumberbatch often comes across as polite and reserved, not entirely at ease with fame. But every now and then, he lets his guard down, revealing more than he means to, like he did in a recent interview for Variety.

Known globally as Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme, he’s starred in six Marvel films, a role that skyrocketed his popularity and put his face on countless T-shirts and toys. At 48, he remains the go-to actor for this iconic character, who’s set to reappear in the epic battles ahead.

While discussing his Marvel journey, Cumberbatch accidentally revealed something he probably shouldn’t have. He mentioned that Doctor Strange won’t be in the 2026 movie Avengers: Doomsday. He quickly caught himself, asking, ‘Is that a spoiler? Fuck it!’ This moment of candor offered a rare look at how plans for the character are evolving.

He explained that Strange’s absence from the next Avengers film is due to the story’s direction. The Marvel universe has shifted significantly since Jonathan Majors, who played Kang, was removed from the franchise in 2024 following legal troubles. This change seems to have reshaped the plot, leaving Strange out of this phase.

But that doesn’t mean he’s done with Marvel. Cumberbatch hinted that Doctor Strange will play a major role in Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for release in 2027. He teased, ‘He’s quite central to where things might go.’ He even suggested that a third solo Doctor Strange movie is likely, though he stopped short of confirming details.

Cumberbatch praised Marvel for their collaborative approach, saying they’re open to exploring fresh ideas for the character. ‘They ask, who do you want to write and direct the next one? What part of the comic lore do you want to dig into? Strange has so much potential. He’s complex, flawed, and powerful, which makes him fascinating to play.’

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