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 slightly panicked!).
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Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
Probably not a conspiracy. Marvel likely orchestrated the spoiler-filled interview as a strategic move to divert attention from other controversies (like the Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively situation and the backlash surrounding Captain America: Brave New World).
Cumberbatch confirmed key details about both Doomsday and Secret Wars, revealing significant plot changes following Jonathan Majors' dismissal. Avengers 5 (originally Kang Dynasty) has been retooled as Doomsday, bringing back Robert Downey Jr. This shift sidelined a planned Doctor Strange/Doctor Doom team-up (a la Triumph and Torment), necessitating a complete narrative overhaul.
Strange's absence from Doomsday stems from his character's original storyline alignment with Kang Dynasty. His role was significantly larger in that earlier iteration.
The original Avengers 5 script heavily featured Shang-Chi, a fact Cumberbatch's revelations seem to confirm. This version centered on the Council of Kangs. The MCU's rewrite introduced Victor Von Doom (played by Downey Jr.).
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
This confirms long-standing fan theories about Shang-Chi's Ten Rings, linking them to Kang, based on similarities between the rings and Kang's time ship seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Spider-Man, Not Iron Man, as the Anchor?
Avengers: Doomsday focuses on the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into the film. A post-credits scene will likely set up Secret Wars. Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" (introduced in Deadpool and Wolverine) remains shrouded in mystery, though he confirmed the being is still alive, ruling out Iron Man as the "Marvel Jesus."
The theory is that Doctor Doom intended to eliminate the MCU anchor. With Strange's removal, Spider-Man emerges as the potential anchor.
Image: ensigame.com
Both versions of Avengers 5 seem to adapt the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a battle-world scenario that Secret Wars will build upon. Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will attempt to save the multiverse, ultimately becoming the antagonist (God Emperor Doom).
Secret Wars: A Multiversal Mashup
Secret Wars will be a multiversal film featuring legacy actors, essentially a soft reboot of the MCU. Cumberbatch's extensive spoilers hint at Shang-Chi's downgraded role in Doomsday.
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Doctor Strange's survival and presence in Battleworld were originally planned, but the multiverse's collapse would have resulted in many character deaths, similar to Infinity War. The film will now resemble a larger-scale version of Deadpool and Wolverine, potentially featuring X-Men, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Venom, and classic Fantastic Four actors.
The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange
Cumberbatch suggests Doctor Strange will be central to the MCU's X-Men era, potentially involving him in X-Men-related stories (even referencing his appearance in X-Men '97). He hints at his own importance in the MCU's future.
Image: ensigame.com
Image: ensigame.com
Doctor Strange 3's release has been pushed back, possibly until after Secret Wars, requiring a plot change. The film may incorporate more X-Men-based magic characters or even a classic Defenders storyline, potentially including a Midnight Suns team-up with Moon Knight and even a possible MCU Ghost Rider. The possibilities are vast, thanks to Cumberbatch's unexpected revelations.
Image: ensigame.com
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