Benedict Cumberbatch just went full spoiler on Marvel Future

Benedict Cumberbatch spills the beans on Avengers: Secret Wars and Avengers: Doomsday, even hinting at the future X-Men era of the MCU. Marvel's likely orchestrated this spoiler-fest, a strategic move to deflect attention from other controversies.

Table of Contents

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

Conspiracy Theory?

Probably not. Marvel likely encouraged Cumberbatch's revelations as a calculated PR maneuver. This tactic seems designed to overshadow negative press surrounding projects like Captain America: Brave New World and the Ryan Reynolds/Blake Lively situation.

Cumberbatch confirmed numerous details about both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, highlighting the narrative shifts following Jonathan Majors' dismissal. Avengers 5, initially titled Kang Dynasty, has transformed into 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 revised storyline.

Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Strange's potential appearance might be limited to a post-credits scene setting up Secret Wars. His exclusion from Doomsday stems from his character's original alignment with the now-altered Kang Dynasty plot. Shang-Chi, initially a central figure in the Kang Dynasty version, has been significantly downplayed.

Image: ensigame.com

This revelation supports existing theories regarding the Ten Rings' origins, linking them to Kang, as hinted at in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man

Avengers: Doomsday heavily features the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, directly leading into the film. A post-credits scene, similar to Thor: Ragnarok, will likely set up Doomsday. Kevin Feige's emphasis on "anchor beings" (as seen in Deadpool and Wolverine) remains a mystery, though he confirmed the being is still alive, ruling out Iron Man as the "Marvel Jesus."

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The theory now suggests Spider-Man is the anchor being, targeted by Doctor Doom. Both versions of Avengers 5 seem to adapt the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a Battleworld scenario, setting the stage for Secret Wars.

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 extensive spoilers reveal Shang-Chi's diminished role in Doomsday.

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Initially, Doctor Strange was to survive the multiverse's collapse, but the narrative shift suggests a larger ensemble cast, including pre-MCU characters, mirroring the scale of Deadpool and Wolverine.

The Future of the MCU and Strange

Cumberbatch hints at Doctor Strange's pivotal role in the MCU's X-Men era, potentially involving him in X-Men-related stories. His comments suggest he envisions himself as a central figure in the MCU's future.

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Doctor Strange 3's release date may be shifted to post-Secret Wars, requiring a complete plot overhaul. The film might incorporate more X-Men-related magic characters or even a classic Defenders storyline, possibly including a Midnight Suns team-up with Moon Knight and potentially even Ghost Rider.

Image: ensigame.com

Image: ensigame.com

Cumberbatch's unexpected revelations leave the future of the MCU wide open for speculation.