Benedict Cumberbatch spilled the beans on Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, even offering a glimpse into the subsequent X-Men era. 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
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Conspiracy Theory? Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Was this a genuine slip-up, or a calculated move? It's more likely the latter. Marvel often orchestrates interviews to strategically release information, deflecting negative press. This could be a tactic to distract from controversies surrounding Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively or the reception of Captain America: Brave New World.

Cumberbatch confirmed details about both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, revealing how plotlines shifted after Jonathan Majors' departure. Avengers 5: Kang Dynasty transformed into Doomsday, bringing back Robert Downey Jr.

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While a Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up (à la Triumph and Torment) seemed promising, Downey Jr.'s post-Secret Wars absence necessitates a different approach.

Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday stems from his character not initially fitting the revised storyline. He was intended for a larger role in the original Kang Dynasty plan.

The original Avengers 5 (then titled Kang Dynasty) would have prominently featured Shang-Chi. This version focused on Kang the Conqueror and the Council of Kangs. The MCU subsequently overhauled the film, introducing a Victor Von Doom portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.

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This seemingly confirms long-standing theories about Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings. The post-credits scene in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, along with similar rings on Kang's larger time ship in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, strongly suggest Kang's creation of the Ten Rings.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man?

Avengers: Doomsday heavily features the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into Doomsday. A post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok's setup for Infinity War, will likely bridge the gap to Doomsday. Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" (as seen in Deadpool and Wolverine) hints at a still-living anchor being, suggesting Iron Man isn't the MCU's equivalent of a messianic figure.

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With Strange's absence, Spider-Man emerges as a potential candidate for the anchor being. Both versions of Avengers 5 appear to adapt the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a battle world from which Secret Wars begins. Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will attempt to save, then ultimately become the villain of Secret Wars, possibly as God Emperor Doom.

Secret Wars

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Secret Wars will be a multiverse film featuring legacy actors, essentially a soft reboot of the MCU. Cumberbatch's revelations highlight the significant changes, including Shang-Chi's downgraded role and the postponement of his sequel in favor of Kang Dynasty and a new Spider-Man film.

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Originally, Doctor Strange was to survive the multiverse's destruction, but the revised storyline will feature a vastly different cast from Doomsday, including surviving MCU characters and numerous legacy actors from pre-MCU Marvel films. The scale will be similar to 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 pivotal role in the MCU's X-Men era, suggesting his involvement in X-Men-related storylines. His comments allude to him becoming a central figure in the MCU's future.

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Doctor Strange 3's release date has shifted, potentially to after Secret Wars, requiring a significant plot revision. Given Strange's importance to the X-Men era, the film might incorporate X-Men-related magic characters. Alternatively, it could feature a classic Defenders storyline or a Midnight Suns team-up, possibly including Moon Knight and potentially even an MCU Ghost Rider.

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The original Doctor Strange 3 plotline would have addressed the incursions, revealing the Council of Kangs' involvement. The revised version, however, will likely focus on post-incursion events, given the shifted timeline. The possibilities are vast, thanks to Cumberbatch's extensive, albeit unintentional, spoilers.

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