Benedict Cumberbatch just went full spoiler on Marvel Future

Benedict Cumberbatch recently spilled the beans on Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, even offering a glimpse into the subsequent X-Men era of the MCU. Marvel and Kevin Feige likely had mixed reactions to this unexpected reveal.

Table of Contents

• Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
• Spider-Man, Not Iron Man?
• Secret Wars
• The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange 3
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Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Was this a deliberate leak? Probably not. Marvel often orchestrates interviews to manage narratives, strategically deploying spoilers to deflect negative attention. This might be a response to recent controversies surrounding Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively and the reception of Captain America: Brave New World.

Cumberbatch confirmed details about both Avengers: 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.

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While a Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up (like in Triumph and Torment) was initially anticipated, Downey Jr.'s post-Secret Wars absence necessitates a different approach.

Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday might be explained by a post-credits scene setting up Secret Wars. Cumberbatch suggests the character's original role, intended to be more significant in the Kang Dynasty storyline, no longer aligns with the revised plot. This revelation opens up numerous possibilities.

The original Avengers 5 (Kang Dynasty) would have featured Shang-Chi prominently. This version centered on Kang the Conqueror and the Council of Kangs. The MCU’s subsequent overhaul introduced Victor Von Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.).

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This seemingly confirms long-standing theories about Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings. The similarities between the rings and those seen on Kang's larger time ship in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania strongly suggest Kang's involvement in their creation.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man?

Avengers: Doomsday heavily features the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into Secret Wars. A post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok's setup for Infinity War, will likely bridge the gap. Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" (as seen in Deadpool and Wolverine) adds another layer of intrigue. While he wouldn't reveal the MCU's anchor being, he confirmed the individual is still alive, ruling out Iron Man.

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This suggests Spider-Man might be the MCU's anchor being, especially given Doctor Doom's intended attempt to eliminate it. The original Avengers 5 plot, and the current Doomsday version, seem to be adaptations of the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a battle world following a multiverse collapse. Secret Wars will pick up from this point.

Secret Wars

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

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Originally, Secret Wars would have seen most MCU characters perish, with a surviving few and numerous legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films forming the core cast. Now, it's shaping up to resemble an expanded version of Deadpool and Wolverine, potentially including X-Men, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, Venom, and classic Fantastic Four actors.

The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange

Cumberbatch hinted at Doctor Strange's central role in the MCU's X-Men era post-Secret Wars. This could involve him in X-Men-related stories, as suggested by his appearance in X-Men '97.

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He also discussed Doctor Strange 3, which has undergone significant changes. Initially slated for release before Kang Dynasty, its plot would have focused on incursions, leading into the Council of Kangs.

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Now, its release might be delayed until after Secret Wars, requiring a complete plot overhaul. Given Strange's importance to the X-Men era, Doctor Strange 3 may incorporate X-Men-related magic characters. Alternatively, it could explore a classic Defenders storyline or even a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially featuring Moon Knight and even a MCU Ghost Rider.

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Cumberbatch's unintentional spoiler-filled interview has opened up a world of possibilities for the future of the MCU.