Just one week after I had comfortably settled on what I believed to be the MCU’s perfect plan for Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch‘s comments turned everything upside down. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undergone several transformations throughout its extensive history, and the potential fallout from these changes is substantial. Looking back, one can recall plans like the introduction of Red Hulk in *Captain America: Civil War* or the notion that Loki would meet his end in *Thor: The Dark World*. These moments illustrate how often the storyline adapts dramatically over time. With the upcoming *Avengers: Doomsday* film being pivotal in the MCU timeline, it was not entirely unexpected that this film would experience significant revisions, particularly since it originally changed from being titled *Avengers: The Kang Dynasty* slated for 2024. However, I was comforted by Cumberbatch’s early comments regarding *Avengers: Doomsday* set for 2025, which led me to believe that the future of Doctor Strange within the franchise was on a straightforward trajectory.
Nevertheless, everything shifted when I heard different statements from Doctor Strange himself. In an interview with *Variety* published on January 22, 2025, Cumberbatch discussed various aspects of the MCU and its upcoming projects. He notably stated that Doctor Strange would not be appearing in *Avengers: Doomsday*, contrary to earlier expectations. Cumberbatch elaborated that the character “not aligning with this part of the story” was the reason for his absence, jokingly questioning, “Is that a spoiler? F–k it!” However, he hinted that his role in *Avengers: Secret Wars* could provide balance, as he mentioned, “he’s quite central to where things might go.” The initial report suggesting that Doctor Strange would be in *Avengers 5* emerged in June 2024, aligning with the conclusion of *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*, where Strange ventured into the Dark Dimension with his ally Clea. This seemed to set the stage for him to play a key role in the finale of the MCU’s current Saga.
Having Doctor Strange first appear in *Avengers: Secret Wars* could help clarify the intricacies of his multiverse adventures, as well as enlighten other heroes regarding the events since he left to avert a universe-destroying Incursion. This scenario also presents an opportunity for the new Doctor Doom to shine, potentially reserving Doctor Strange’s narrative and any critical world-building for the sixth Avengers film. This change would have ideally paved the way for an engaging climax, featuring Doctor Strange facing an evil variant of Tony Stark that symbolizes his guilt over Iron Man’s demise in *Avengers: Endgame*, effectively bringing the franchise full circle. However, this optimistic outline for the MCU proved short-lived.
On January 29, 2025—just a week after Cumberbatch’s *Variety* interview and a day following my speculation on how Doctor Strange’s absence from *Avengers: Doomsday* could be managed—*Business Insider* released another interview featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, where he disclosed a different perspective on the impending Avengers project. In this follow-up, the actor asserted that Doctor Strange would indeed be part of *Avengers: Doomsday*, instructing fans to disregard his previous comments. He quipped, “I got that wrong, I am in the next one… Don’t ever believe anything I say.” These remarks change the landscape significantly.
Although Cumberbatch’s revision leaves the door open for additional twists regarding Doctor Strange’s status in *Avengers: Doomsday*, his clarification suggests that the initial plan for Doctor Strange’s involvement is set to be executed. Consequently, unless Doctor Strange’s appearance is reduced to a mere cameo, the film must logically reconcile what happens to the character between the conclusion of *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* and *Avengers: Doomsday*, thus rendering my earlier theories obsolete. This situation resembles the classic misfortune associated with Spider-Man’s so-called “Parker luck,” but it has only intensified my eagerness to witness what unfolds in *Avengers: Doomsday*.
One of the most thrilling aspects of the MCU has always been its capacity for unexpected developments, both in the story and behind the scenes. Iconic surprises, such as Thanos’ Snap in *Avengers: Infinity War* and Ego’s revelation as Star-Lord’s mother’s killer in *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*, are prime examples of clever plot twists that fans cherish. Furthermore, the MCU has proven adept at preserving surprises for audiences, evident from Hugh Jackman‘s return as Wolverine for *Deadpool & Wolverine*, or the surprises of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in *Spider-Man: No Way Home*. Given all this, it remains thrilling to entertain comments that keep us guessing about the franchise’s future.
Initially struggling to accept my timing misfortune, accepting a theory being invalidated a mere day later now feels like a small price to pay for the renewed excitement and unpredictability surrounding the MCU. Revelations like these enhance my anticipation, compelling me to seek clarification on what exactly Doctor Strange’s role will be in both *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*. As one of the most pivotal heroes in the Multiverse Saga, having Doctor Strange present in both upcoming Avengers films should undeniably contribute to the overarching narrative, uniting various threads within this universe. Moreover, with *Avengers: Doomsday* marking the first Avengers film following *Avengers: Endgame*—seven years later—the inclusion of as many recognizable characters as possible can potentially enrich the upcoming releases, assuming Doctor Strange indeed features prominently in both films moving forward.
