Benedict Cumberbatch just went full spoiler on Marvel Future

Benedict Cumberbatch has recently spilled the beans on the upcoming Marvel projects, including Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday. He even touched on the upcoming X-Men era that's set to follow these blockbuster events. Marvel and Kevin Feige might be pleased or perhaps a bit surprised by the actor's candid revelations.

Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange Not in Doomsday

Is it a conspiracy theory that Doctor Strange is absent from Avengers: Doomsday? Not exactly. Marvel is known for orchestrating their interviews meticulously, often using strategic spoilers to shift focus from other controversies, like the recent buzz around Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, or the issues surrounding Captain America: Brave New World.

Cumberbatch confirmed numerous details about both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, including how the storyline has shifted since the departure of Jonathan Majors. Originally titled Kang Dynasty, Avengers 5 has been reimagined as Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr. making a surprising return.

Fans hoping for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up, reminiscent of the comic Triumph and Torment, might be disappointed. Cumberbatch hinted that Robert Downey Jr.'s involvement post-Secret Wars suggests a different direction for the plot.

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Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday is significant. Cumberbatch mentioned that Strange might appear in a post-credits scene setting up Secret Wars. His character's role was originally meant to be larger in the Kang Dynasty version of the film, but the new direction doesn't align with Doctor Strange's narrative arc.

In the original Kang Dynasty script, Shang-Chi was set to be a key player alongside Kang the Conqueror and the Council of Kangs. However, with the film's retooling to Doomsday, the focus has shifted to introduce Victor Von Doom and bring back Robert Downey Jr.

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This shift confirms long-standing fan theories about Shang-Chi's Ten Rings of Power. The post-credits scene in Shang-Chi hinted at a larger connection, which was further explored in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania with Kang's time ship, suggesting Kang's involvement with the Ten Rings.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man

Avengers: Doomsday pivots heavily toward the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, setting up a direct lead-in to the film. It's the last movie before Doomsday, and it's expected to feature a post-credits scene akin to Thor: Ragnarok, setting up the next big event.

Kevin Feige introduced the concept of "anchor beings" during Deadpool and Wolverine, hinting at a central figure in the MCU. While Iron Man was speculated to be this figure, Cumberbatch's comments suggest that Spider-Man might be the anchor. The original plot involving Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom's magical and technological showdown has shifted due to Strange's absence.

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Both versions of Avengers 5, whether Kang Dynasty or Doomsday, seem to be adaptations of the Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in the multiverse's collapse into Battleworld, setting the stage for Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. will take on the Doctor Doom storyline, becoming the God Emperor Doom in this narrative.

Secret Wars

Secret Wars has always been envisioned as a multiverse epic, featuring a team of legacy actors akin to a multiverse Avengers. This movie will serve as a soft reboot for the MCU, integrating characters from the pre-MCU era.

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Cumberbatch's revelations have sparked discussions about Shang-Chi's reduced role in Doomsday, and the delay of his sequel due to the director's involvement with Kang Dynasty and the new Spider-Man movie. Despite this, Shang-Chi remains part of the film, albeit in a less pivotal role.

In Secret Wars, Doctor Strange was initially slated to be among the survivors of the multiverse's destruction, leading to Battleworld. The film would feature a mix of surviving MCU characters and legacy actors, echoing a grander 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 Strange

Looking ahead, Cumberbatch hinted that Marvel plans to use Secret Wars to soft reboot the MCU, with Doctor Strange playing a central role in the upcoming X-Men era. His involvement could lead to exciting crossovers and new storylines, as evidenced by his appearance in X-Men '97.

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Cumberbatch's enthusiasm in the interview suggests he sees Doctor Strange as a pivotal figure in the MCU's future, possibly the new "Marvel Jesus." This shift is expected to significantly impact the narrative of Marvel Phase 7, especially with the anticipated Avengers vs. X-Men storyline.

Regarding Doctor Strange 3, Cumberbatch indicated that its release might be delayed until after Secret Wars, necessitating a complete overhaul of the plot. The focus could shift toward integrating X-Men magic characters, or it might explore a classic Defenders storyline, or even a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially featuring Moon Knight and Ghost Rider.

Image: ensigame.com

Image: ensigame.com

The possibilities for Doctor Strange 3 are vast and exciting, thanks to the insights provided by Cumberbatch's revealing interview.