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 the surprising absence of Doctor Strange from Doomsday, the significant role of the Fantastic Four, and the MCU's soft reboot planned after Secret Wars. Marvel's strategic use of spoilers is speculated to be a tactic to divert attention from other controversies.

Table of Contents:

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

Conspiracy Theory? Probably Not.

Cumberbatch's extensive disclosures are likely orchestrated by Marvel itself, a calculated move to manage public perception and potentially deflect negative press surrounding other projects. The actor confirmed numerous details about both Doomsday and Secret Wars, highlighting the significant script overhauls following Jonathan Majors' dismissal. Avengers 5, initially titled Kang Dynasty, has been retooled into Doomsday, with Robert Downey Jr.'s return.

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The anticipated Doctor Doom/Doctor Strange team-up, reminiscent of the Triumph and Torment comic arc, seems unlikely given Downey Jr.'s presumed departure after Secret Wars, necessitating a complete narrative shift.

Doctor Strange's Absence from Doomsday

Cumberbatch explained Doctor Strange's absence from Doomsday as a result of the storyline's revision. Initially intended for a larger role in the Kang Dynasty narrative, his character's arc now doesn't align with this specific film. This revelation also sheds light on the original Avengers 5 plan, which would have prominently featured Shang-Chi.

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This seemingly confirms long-standing fan theories connecting Shang-Chi's Ten Rings to Kang, a connection further solidified by similarities between the rings and Kang's time ship in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Spider-Man, Not Iron Man?

Avengers: Doomsday centers heavily around the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, serving as a direct prelude to the film. The concept of "anchor beings," introduced in Deadpool and Wolverine, is crucial. While Kevin Feige remained tight-lipped about the MCU's anchor being, confirming only that the individual is still alive, speculation points towards Spider-Man rather than Iron Man.

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The original plot for Avengers 5, regardless of title, appears to have been an adaptation of the Avengers: Time Runs Out storyline, culminating in a multiverse collapse and the emergence of Battleworld, the setting for Secret Wars.

Secret Wars: A Multiversal Showdown

Secret Wars will be a multiverse film, featuring legacy actors and a soft reboot of the MCU. Cumberbatch's revelations highlight the significant changes, including Shang-Chi's reduced role.

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The film will likely resemble an expanded version of Deadpool and Wolverine, bringing back characters from previous Marvel films and potentially introducing X-Men elements.

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The Future of the MCU and Doctor Strange

Cumberbatch hinted at Doctor Strange's pivotal role in the MCU's X-Men era, suggesting potential collaborations and storylines. The future of Doctor Strange himself is also uncertain, with Doctor Strange 3 undergoing significant plot changes and a potential delay until after Secret Wars.

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The film might incorporate elements of classic Defenders storylines or even a Midnight Suns team-up, potentially including Moon Knight and even a MCU version of Ghost Rider. The possibilities remain vast, thanks to Cumberbatch's unexpected spoiler spree.

Image: ensigame.com

Image: ensigame.com