Benedict Cumberbatch Teases Doctor Strange’s MCU Future & ‘Avengers 5’ Role

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As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed through countless cinematic universes and seen more than a few actors don various capes and masks, I must say that Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange is a performance to behold. His portrayal of the complex, controlling sorcerer has become a highlight of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and I am genuinely excited about his future in this ever-expanding world.

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch continues to embody the character of Doctor Strange in Marvel Studios for some time yet, expressing enthusiasm about the future. After an extensive casting process that included contenders such as Ewan McGregor, Jared Leto, and Joaquin Phoenix, Marvel Studios selected Cumberbatch for the role over a decade ago. Initially, it appeared that Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange would join Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth as new icons of the MCU following their apparent departures. However, things did not unfold as expected since Hemsworth continued to play his character, and both Downey Jr. and Evans have since returned. Despite this, Doctor Strange has emerged as a beloved figure among fans and enjoys greater popularity than ever before.

At the Red Sea Film Festival, Cumberbatch shared with Variety his enthusiasm about continuing to portray Doctor Strange. He expressed, “There’s a lot left to explore, and it’s incredibly thrilling.” The actor described the character as a “complicated individual driven by an insatiable desire to control everything no matter the cost. I’m intrigued to see where these costs lead him.” In a separate interview with TV Groove, he confirmed his return for the upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.

I’m thrilled beyond words to collaborate with the Russo brothers once more, and even more so because Robert Downey Jr. is coming back as Doctor Doom! The upcoming projects seem promising, and I can hardly wait to find out where this story goes next!

Despite only having two ‘Doctor Strange’ movies, Benedict Cumberbatch’s character has become a consistent presence in the cinematic universe. This consistency was maintained even with a six-year gap between ‘Doctor Strange’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’, as he appeared in various films for almost four consecutive years following 2016’s ‘Doctor Strange’. He was seen in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ in 2017, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in 2018 and 2019, respectively, before his sequel arrived in 2022. The only year without his appearance between the two movies was 2020. Additionally, Cumberbatch has lent his voice to Doctor Strange in both seasons of ‘What If…?’ and is set to return for the third and final season, starting from December 22, 2024.

Doctor Strange Will Return, But How?

The future participation of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond Avengers: Doomsday remains unclear, as there is no crystal ball or Time Stone to foretell what lies ahead. However, at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Benedict Cumberbatch’s character teamed up with Clea (played by Charlize Theron) to venture into the dark dimension and address multiverse disturbances, which seems to hint at his involvement in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. With no announcement about Doctor Strange 3, it appears that Avengers: Doomsday will be where we next see our mystical hero in the Marvel Universe.

In the comic book world, Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom share an intriguing relationship, with the latest Marvel Comics seeing Doom assume the position of Sorcerer Supreme from Strange. Their alliance is showcased in the “Time Runs Out” storyline leading to Secret Wars, where they join forces to prevent the multiverse from being destroyed. Strange’s character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has evolved into a pragmatist, as he states, “‘In the larger equation of the multiverse, their sacrifice means infinitely more than their lives,’” in both Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This could imply that Strange may ultimately side with Doctor Doom to safeguard the multiverse, regardless of any potential conflicts with his fellow Avengers.

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2024-12-10 22:33