Benedict Cumberbatch’s confirmation that Doctor Strange won’t return inAvengers: Doomsdayprovides a hint atDoctor Strange 3’s release date in theMCU’s Phase 6. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange was last seen inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where he stopped Scarlet Witch from causing incursions due to her multiversal travel.Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’post credits scenesuggests that Strange’s next adventure will take place in the Dark Dimension, as Clea invited him to stop an incursion in her home reality.
As the Multiverse Saga approaches its last phase,anticipation for its final two crossover movies rises.Avengers: Doomsdayis set to release in May 2026, andAvengers: Secret Warsis set to release in May 2027. BothAvengersmovies are expected to gather all active heroes, plus multiple variants from other universes, such as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool. However,Benedict Cumberbatch confirmed that he won’t return forAvengers: Doomsday, meaning thatDoctor Strange won’t participate in the Avengers' first battle against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Next MCU Appearance Is Now More Likely To Be Doctor Strange 3
Doctor Strange’s Eventual Return In Avengers Secret Wars Might Make Doctor Strange 3’s Release A Requirement
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange won’t appear inAvengers: Doomsday, but he’s very likely to return inAvengers: Secret Wars. Not only is Doctor Strange one of the most experienced and powerful Avengers still active in the MCU, but he’s also a key player in Marvel Comics' 2015Secret Warsstoryline, where Doctor Doom is the main antagonist. SinceAvengers: Secret Warsis set to hit theaters in 2027,Doctor Strange’s quest into the Dark Dimension might be resolved inDoctor Strange 3beforehand.
In 2015’sSecret Wars, God Emperor Doom turns Doctor Strange into his right-hand man when the villain creates Battleworld.
Barring his fight against Thanos at Titan inAvengers: Infinity War, Doctor Strange has played a rather passive role in every one of his MCU appearances since 2016’sDoctor Strange. He played a minor role inAvengers: Endgame’s Battle of Earth, created and fixed Peter Parker’s multiversal problems inSpider-Man: No Way Home, and protected America Chavez from Scarlet Witch inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. InDoctor Strange 3, Strange could take a more active role in an investigation into the source of the MCU multiverse’s next incursions.
Doctor Strange 3 Might Benefit From Benedict Cumberbatch’s Absence In Avengers Doomsday
Doctor Strange 3 May Have More Time To Focus On The Sorcerer’s Own Multiversal Responsibilities
As the MCU’s current Multiverse Saga slate stands, it would seem as ifAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warswere a two-part finale. In that case, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange would be absent from the first part, and he would have to return in the second part having resolvedDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' post-credits sceneoff-screen. But if Benedict Cumberbatch’s absence inAvengers: Doomsdayis due toDoctor Strange 3’s release beforeAvengers: Secret Wars, thenDoctor Strange 3would have plenty of time to focus on the sorcerer’s own multiversal conflict before his next Avengers team-up.
I’ve Changed My Mind, I’m Glad Benedict Cumberbatch Isn’t In Avengers: Doomsday Because It Means Marvel Will Have A More Focused Team Roster
Following Benedict Cumbatch’s comments that he won’t be in Avengers: Doomsday, I’m glad about what this will likely mean for the movie’s hero roster.
Apart from the incursion Clea mentions inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' post-credits scene,Doctor Strange 3could follow Doctor Strange as he deals with several other multiversal and interdimensional catastrophes, setting up a full-fledged Multiverse War forAvengers: Secret Wars. There’s no better character to lead this movie than Benedict Cumberbatch’s Earth-616 Doctor Strange, who has already been the mastermind behind multiple universe- and multiverse-saving adventures in the MCU, and who could arrive inAvengers: Secret Warswith valuable intel that could help the Avengers defeat Doctor Doom.
Doctor Strange 3 Could Release Between Avengers: Doomsday And Avengers: Secret Wars
Doctor Strange 3’s Ideal Release Date Lands In Phase 6 Right Before Secret Wars
As of early 2025,Doctor Strange 3hasn’t been officially announced, let alone scheduled in the MCU’s upcoming release slate. But among projects likeThor 5,Shang-Chi 2, andBlack Panther 3,Doctor Strange 3is the most likely sequel to be released betweenAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, due to its potentially multiversal plot. Regardless of whetherDoctor Strange 3focuses on paying offDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' post-credits scene or not,theDoctor Strangethreequel has the chance to set upAvengers: Secret Warsdirectly.
Doctor Strange 3could be essential viewing beforeAvengers: Secret Wars' 2027 release
In the Infinity Saga, the space betweenAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgamewas filled withCaptain Marvel, whose protagonist was teased byAvengers: Infinity War’s post-credits scene. But while Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel makes a spectacular appearance inAvengers: Endgame, she doesn’t play an important role in the resolution of the Avengers' battle against Thanos. On the other hand,Doctor Strange 3could be essential viewing beforeAvengers: Secret Wars' 2027 release.
