Benedict Cumberbatch has officially confirmed that Dr. Stephen Strange will not appear in the highly anticipated 2026 blockbuster, *Avengers: Doomsday*. The acclaimed actor, aged 48, broke the news during a candid interview with *Variety*, playfully admitting, "Is that a spoiler? F*** it!"

Cumberbatch explained that his absence is due to the character "not aligning with this part of the story." However, fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as he will make a significant return in *Avengers: Secret Wars*, set to hit theaters in 2027. "He's quite central to where things might go," Cumberbatch teased about his role in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Despite being sidelined for *Doomsday*, Cumberbatch expressed his satisfaction with Doctor Strange's trajectory within the MCU. He hinted at discussions surrounding a potential third standalone film for the character, saying, "Marvel is very open to discussing where we go next. 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?"

Describing Doctor Strange as a "very rich character to play," Cumberbatch emphasized the complexity and depth he enjoys exploring with the character. "He's a complex, contradictory, troubled human who's got these extraordinary abilities, so there's potent stuff to mess about with," he elaborated.

In a surprising revelation, Cumberbatch shared his initial reaction to the news of Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom—just one of the many unexpected twists in the MCU's upcoming phases. “I texted, 'What the f***?' and then quickly added, 'Good what-the-f***. I mean, good what-the-f***,” he recalled. This revelation points to the playful camaraderie between the two actors, who joked about being "the two Sherlocks" on set during the production of *Avengers: Endgame*.

Despite ongoing criticisms regarding Marvel's dominance in the film industry, Cumberbatch commended the studio's commitment to storytelling. "It’s the modern myths of our times. Yes, it’s huge and unwieldy, but Marvel is so committed to getting it right," he stated, reflecting a deep respect for the creative process involved.

Currently, Cumberbatch is busy promoting his upcoming project, *The Thing with Feathers*, which he describes as a dark drama that offers a contrasting experience to his superhero role in the MCU. "The Thing With Feathers is about a father struggling to hold his family together after his wife dies suddenly," he explained, indicating that this film provides an intimate and nuanced approach that he finds refreshing compared to his experience with larger franchise films.

As fans eagerly await both *Avengers: Doomsday* and the return of Doctor Strange in *Secret Wars*, Cumberbatch's insights only heighten the anticipation for what's next in the Marvel universe! Don’t miss the chance to see him take on new depths in *The Thing with Feathers*, hitting theaters soon!