Benedict Cumberbatch has confirmed that his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Doctor Strange, will not be part of the upcoming Avengers Doomsday but will take on a "central role" in the sequel, Avengers Secret Wars. In a candid interview with Variety, Cumberbatch inadvertently dropped a spoiler, exclaiming "f**k it" before revealing further details about his character's trajectory. He hinted that Doctor Strange would be pivotal to the unfolding narrative, saying, "He’s quite central to where things might go." Moreover, Cumberbatch teased the development of a third standalone Doctor Strange film, expressing enthusiasm about exploring more of the character's rich comic lore.

"They are very open to discussing where we go next," Cumberbatch shared, discussing the creative possibilities. "Who do you want to write and direct the next one? What part of the comic lore do you want to explore so that Strange can keep evolving? He’s a very rich character to play. He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with."

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Regarding his absence from Avengers Doomsday, Cumberbatch explained it's due to "the character not aligning with this part of the story." This upcoming Avengers film, slated for release on May 1, 2026, will feature Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and reportedly Chris Evans as well, though details remain scarce. The film will be directed by former Avengers directors, the Russo Brothers, and is set to continue exploring the multiverse, with Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter also expected to appear.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 6 will commence with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for this July. Following Avengers Doomsday, Avengers Secret Wars is set to launch on May 7, 2027, where Doctor Strange will play a crucial role.