Marvel Scraps Doctor Strange From Avengers Lineup, Actor Breaks Silence

Nearly a decade after the character’s debut, Benedict Cumberbatch has disclosed a surprising update about Doctor Strange’s trajectory in the MCU.

Doctor Strange has been a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since his first appearance in Doctor Strange (2016). Played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Strange transformed from an arrogant neurosurgeon to the Sorcerer Supreme, mastering mystical arts to protect the Multiverse.

Over the years, Cumberbatch’s portrayal has been instrumental in major storylines, including the battle against Thanos and the exploration of the Multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and the deeply divisive Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness (2022).

However, Cumberbatch recently disclosed a surprising update about Doctor Strange’s future in the MCU.

Speaking to Variety, the actor confirmed that Strange will no longer appear in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). The decision follows a significant reshuffling of the MCU’s future plans after Jonathan Majors, originally cast as Kang the Conqueror, was removed from the franchise.

The film was subsequently reworked from Avengers: Kang Dynasty into Avengers: Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of the central antagonist in a shock return after the character of Tony Stark/Iron Man made his heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Anthony and Joe Russo – who previously led two Captain America films and both Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Endgame – are also set to return as directors.

Cumberbatch admitted that Strange’s removal from the upcoming Avengers film was tied to the character’s lack of alignment with the revised storyline. “Is that a spoiler?” he joked. “F**k it!” Despite this shift, the actor assured fans that Doctor Strange will play a critical role in Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), hinting at a key position in Marvel’s ongoing Multiverse Saga. “He’s quite central to where things might go,” Cumberbatch said.

Fans also have a third standalone Doctor Strange movie to look forward to. Cumberbatch expressed his excitement about collaborating with Marvel to shape the character’s future. “They are very open to discussing where we go next,” he shared. “Who do you want to write and direct the next one? What part of the comic lore do you want to explore so that Strange can keep evolving? He’s a very rich character to play. He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with.”

Cumberbatch last appeared as Doctor Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Directed by Sam Raimi, the film introduced America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) and explored the fallout of Wanda Maximoff’s descent into villainy.

While the movie drew mixed reactions, particularly regarding its CGI and treatment of Wanda post–WandaVision, it left the character of Doctor Strange in a tantalizing position. By the film’s conclusion, Strange’s use of the Darkhold resulted in him gaining a mysterious third eye, teasing future challenges for the sorcerer.

Although fans will need to wait for Doctor Strange’s next major appearance, Cumberbatch’s comments reaffirm the character’s significance in Marvel’s evolving Multiverse narrative. Whether it’s in Secret Wars or his next solo adventure, Doctor Strange’s journey is far from over.

Are you ready to see where the Master of the Mystic Arts goes next?