British actor Benedict Cumberbatch may have accidentally revealed a significant spoiler about Marvel’s highly anticipated 2026 film, Avengers: Doomsday.
In an interview with Variety for their Sundance cover story, the Sherlock star disclosed that his iconic Marvel character, Doctor Strange, will not face off against the villain Doom in the upcoming blockbuster.
For those unaware, Avengers: Doomsday will mark the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut of Robert Downey Jr. as the villain Doom.
Realizing his potential slip, the 48-year-old actor exclaimed, “Is that a spoiler? F–k it!”
Cumberbatch explained that Doctor Strange’s absence from Avengers: Doomsday isn’t a reflection on the character itself but rather because “it’s not aligning with this part of the story.” However, he hinted at a major comeback for Doctor Strange in the 2027 release, Avengers: Secret Wars. “Fans will see me a lot in that one,” he teased, adding that his character is “quite central to where things might go.”
The two-time Oscar nominee also expressed surprise at Downey Jr.’s return to the superhero genre. Reflecting on their past collaborations as Doctor Strange and Iron Man in films like Avengers: Endgame, Cumberbatch revealed his initial reaction to the news. “I immediately texted [Marvel Studios chief] Kevin Feige, saying, ‘What the f–k?’ Then quickly followed up with, ‘Good what-the-f–k. I mean, good what-the-f–k.’”
Cumberbatch also shared insights about working with Downey Jr., recalling the high-pressure environment of Marvel productions and expressing gratitude for Downey Jr.’s ability to lighten the mood on set. The Doctor Strange star noted that Downey Jr. affectionately nicknamed him “Mr. Shakespeare,” a playful nod to their shared experience playing Sherlock Holmes in separate franchises. “We’d often joke about being the two Sherlocks on set,” Cumberbatch added.
While fans eagerly await Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, they can mark their calendars for other exciting Marvel releases, including Captain America: Brave New World and Marvel’s Thunderbolts, slated to hit theaters on February 13 and March 2, 2025, respectively.
