Benedict Cumberbatch recently spilled the beans on Avengers Secret Wars and Doomsday, along with a sneak peek into the upcoming Marvel's X-Men era. This revelation has undoubtedly left Marvel and Kevin Feige thrilled. Let's delve into the details and discuss what this could mean for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange is not in Doomsday

The idea of Doctor Strange missing from Avengers Doomsday has sparked a conspiracy theory. Was it intentional? Marvel might have directed Cumberbatch to reveal these spoilers to shift focus from other controversies, such as the Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively situation or the issues surrounding Captain America: Brave New World. The actor confirmed several details about both Avengers Doomsday and Secret Wars, including how Marvel has altered storylines post-Jonathan Majors' departure. Avengers 5, previously known as Kang Dynasty, is now Doomsday and features the return of Robert Downey Jr.

Many fans were hoping for a Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange team-up, reminiscent of the comic "Triumph and Torment," but it seems Robert Downey Jr.'s role may not extend beyond Secret Wars. Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday suggests a post-credits scene setting up Secret Wars, aligning with the narrative shift away from the Kang Dynasty.

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Spider-Man, Not the Iron Man

Avengers Doomsday focuses heavily on the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into the movie. It's set to be the final film before Avengers Doomsday, and a post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok, will likely set up the beginning of Doomsday. Kevin Feige introduced the concept of "anchor beings" during Deadpool and Wolverine, hinting that this pivotal character is still alive, ruling out Iron Man as the MCU's "Marvel Jesus."

With Doctor Strange no longer in the script, speculation suggests Spider-Man might be the anchor. Both versions of Avengers 5, whether Kang Dynasty or Doomsday, were intended to adapt the "Time Runs Out" storyline, leading to a multiverse collapse into Battle World for Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. will take on a Doctor Doom storyline, becoming the God Emperor Doom.

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Secret Wars

Secret Wars was always meant to be a multiverse movie, featuring legacy actors forming a multiverse Avengers team. This film serves as a soft reboot for the MCU. Benedict Cumberbatch's revelations have highlighted significant changes, including Shang-Chi's reduced role in the Doomsday version, which is a disappointment for fans awaiting his sequel.

In Secret Wars, Doctor Strange was supposed to survive the multiverse's destruction and arrive at Battle World. The movie would feature a new cast, combining surviving MCU characters with legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films. The film could be compared to a larger version of Deadpool and Wolverine, potentially bringing back X-Men characters, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Venom, and classic Fantastic Four actors.

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The Future of MCU and Strange

Post-Secret Wars, Marvel plans a soft reboot, with Doctor Strange playing a central role in the upcoming X-Men era. This could mean his involvement in X-Men-based stories, as hinted by his appearance in X-Men '97.

Cumberbatch's enthusiasm suggests he sees Doctor Strange as the new cornerstone of the MCU. Moving into Marvel Phase 7, Doctor Strange will likely be crucial to higher-level storylines, particularly in the anticipated Avengers vs. X-Men movie. Doctor Strange 3, initially planned to precede Kang Dynasty, might now be delayed until after Secret Wars, necessitating a complete plot overhaul due to the resolution of the multiverse and incursions.

Without a script yet, Doctor Strange 3 could explore X-Men-related magic or even focus on a classic Defenders storyline, with Doctor Strange leading the team. Alternatively, it might serve as a setup for a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially featuring Moon Knight and even bringing back Nicholas Cage as Ghost Rider.

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Benedict Cumberbatch's revelations have opened up a plethora of possibilities for the MCU's future, leaving fans eager to see how these changes unfold.