Benedict Cumberbatch reveals Doctor Strange is on hiatus in next Marvel sequel

Benedict Cumberbatch has confirmed his superhero character Doctor Strange will not appear in the Marvel film, Avengers: Doomsday.

The British actor, who starred in 2022’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, revealed his character will be absent from the next film in the franchise set for release in May 2026.

“Is that a spoiler? F*** it,” he told Variety after the accidental announcement.

He said that while the hiatus revolves around “the character not aligning with this part of the story”, the 48-year-old confirmed he will feature “in a lot” of the 2027 film Avengers: Secret Wars.

“He’s quite central to where things might go,” Cumberbatch said, as he teased a third stand-alone film for the character.

“They are very open to discussing where we go next.

“Who do you want to write and direct the next one? What part of the comic lore do you want to explore so that Strange can keep evolving?

“He’s a very rich character to play.

“He’s a complex, contradictory, troubled human who’s got these extraordinary abilities, so there’s potent stuff to mess about with.”

The former Sherlock star last appeared as the superhero in the second stand-alone Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong and Rachel McAdams – who all reprised their role after the first 2016 film.