Benedict Cumberbatch's recent revelations about Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday have sent shockwaves through the MCU fandom. He spilled the beans on major plot points, including character changes and storyline shifts following Jonathan Majors' departure. Marvel's strategic deployment of spoilers is speculated to be a tactic to divert attention from other controversies.
Table of Contents:
- Conspiracy Theory Debunked?
- Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
- Spider-Man, Not Iron Man, as the Anchor Being?
- Secret Wars: A Multiversal Clash
- The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange
Conspiracy Theory Debunked?
The theory that Cumberbatch's revelations were accidental is unlikely. Marvel likely orchestrated the interview to strategically release information, potentially deflecting negative press surrounding other projects.
Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday
Cumberbatch confirmed Doctor Strange's reduced role in Doomsday, attributing it to the storyline overhaul after the firing of Jonathan Majors. Originally intended for a larger part in the now-altered Kang Dynasty, his character's arc no longer aligns with Doomsday's revised narrative. His appearance might be limited to a post-credits scene setting up Secret Wars.
Spider-Man, Not Iron Man?
The revised Doomsday plot heavily features the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, leading directly into Secret Wars. With Robert Downey Jr.'s potential absence post-Secret Wars, the "anchor being" theory is reconsidered. While Kevin Feige hinted at a still-living anchor, Iron Man's exclusion suggests Spider-Man might fill that role.
Secret Wars: A Multiversal Clash
Secret Wars remains a multiverse-centric film, featuring legacy actors and a soft reboot of the MCU. The film will incorporate survivors from Doomsday and numerous actors from the pre-MCU Marvel era. The scale is comparable to Deadpool and Wolverine, potentially including X-Men characters, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Venom.
The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange
Post-Secret Wars, Doctor Strange is positioned as a central figure in the MCU's X-Men era. This suggests his involvement in X-Men-related storylines, possibly foreshadowed by his appearance in X-Men '97. Cumberbatch's comments indicate a significant role for Doctor Strange in future phases, potentially in an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline.
Doctor Strange 3: An Uncertain Future
Doctor Strange 3's release date and plot have undergone significant changes. Originally slated for release before Kang Dynasty, it's now potentially delayed until after Secret Wars. The revised plot might incorporate more X-Men-related magic characters or even a classic Defenders storyline, potentially including Moon Knight and even a possible MCU Ghost Rider.
Image Sources: ensigame.com
