Benedict Cumberbatch spills the beans on Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, even touching on the subsequent X-Men era. Marvel and Kevin Feige are likely pleased (or perhaps strategically so).

Table of Contents

• Conspiracy Theory?
• Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
• Spider-Man, Not Iron Man
• Secret Wars
• The Future of the MCU and Strange

Conspiracy Theory?

Probably not. Marvel likely orchestrated the extensive spoilers to divert attention from other controversies, such as the Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively situation and the backlash surrounding Captain America: Brave New World.

Cumberbatch confirmed details about both Doomsday and Secret Wars, revealing significant plot changes following Jonathan Majors' dismissal. Avengers 5, initially Kang Dynasty, is now Doomsday, and Robert Downey Jr. has returned.

Image: ensigame.com

While a Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up (à la Triumph and Torment) was initially hoped for, Downey Jr.'s post-Secret Wars absence necessitates a revised storyline.

Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Strange's absence from Doomsday is due to his character arc not initially aligning with the revised narrative. His role was intended to be more prominent in the original Kang Dynasty storyline. The initial Avengers 5 (then Kang Dynasty) would have featured Shang-Chi as a main character. The MCU has since revamped the film to center around Victor Von Doom and Robert Downey Jr.

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This seemingly confirms theories surrounding Shang-Chi's Ten Rings, linking them to Kang, based on similarities between the rings and Kang's time ship in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man

Avengers: Doomsday heavily features the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, leading directly into Doomsday. A post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok, will likely set up Doomsday. Given Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" (as seen in Deadpool and Wolverine), and his confirmation that the anchor being is still alive, it's speculated that Spider-Man, not Iron Man, fills this role.

Image: ensigame.com

Initially, a Doctor Strange vs. Doctor Doom confrontation was envisioned. However, Cumberbatch's revelation of his absence suggests Spider-Man's role as the anchor. Both versions of Avengers 5 appear to adapt the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a Battleworld scenario that Secret Wars will capitalize on. Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will attempt to save, then ultimately become the villain of, the multiverse.

Secret Wars

Image: ensigame.com

Secret Wars was always planned as a multiverse film featuring legacy actors, effectively soft-rebooting the MCU. Cumberbatch's revelations highlight Shang-Chi's reduced role in Doomsday.

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Initially, Doctor Strange was to survive the multiverse's destruction. Now, Secret Wars will likely feature a blend of surviving MCU characters and numerous legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films, similar to, but larger in scale than, Deadpool and Wolverine.

The Future of the MCU and Strange

Cumberbatch hints at Doctor Strange's pivotal role in the MCU's X-Men era. This could involve Strange in X-Men-related stories, possibly building upon his appearance in X-Men '97.

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Doctor Strange 3's release is now potentially tied to Secret Wars, requiring significant plot revisions. The film may incorporate more X-Men-related magical characters, or potentially explore a classic Defenders storyline or even a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially including Moon Knight and even a new MCU Ghost Rider.

Image: ensigame.com

Image: ensigame.com

Cumberbatch's revelations leave numerous possibilities open for the future of the MCU and Doctor Strange's role within it.