Benedict Cumberbatch will seemingly lead another Marvel Cinematic Universe in the form of Doctor Strange 3. Cumberbatch’s Marvel character has been part of some of the MCU’s best movies. His last lead role was in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The film, which co-starred Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, grossed nearly $1 billion, showing the potential of the Doctor Strange franchise. A third film to make it a trilogy for the character was set up by Charlize Theron’s debut as Clea, and Cumberbatch has now shared an exciting Doctor Strange 3 update.
Speaking with Variety, Benedict Cumberbatch opened up about Doctor Strange 3 and his MCU future. According to Cumberbatch, Marvel Studios is very open to talking about Doctor Strange’s future in the franchise with the actor, who ponders who should write and direct the hero’s next solo film. Based on the actor’s words, it seems like Doctor Strange will continue to play a large role in the MCU’s slate of projects for years to come, and Cumberbatch thinks “there’s potent stuff” to explore when Doctor Strange returns. Check out the full quote below:
“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.”
What Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange 3 Comments Mean
Doctor Strange’s MCU Future Is Bright
While Benedict Cumberbatch stopped himself short of confirming that Doctor Strange 3 is happening, the MCU actor did heavily hint that will be the case. This is not surprising, as the box office success of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the character’s popularity pretty much guaranteed him a trilogy. After all, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, a character whose movies did not make nearly as much at the box office as Doctor Strange’s, got to lead a trilogy in the MCU, then Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange should as well.
Elsewhere in the interview, Cumberbatch revealed that Doctor Strange will not appear in Avengers: Doomsday. He was initially going to, but plans changed when Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror was replaced by Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom as the villain of the next two Avengers movies. Based on the actor’s Doctor Strange 3 teases, Clea’s debut and how she recruited the character to deal with an incursion should then play out in Doctor Strange 3 or Avenger: Secret Wars. Exploring that story and the Doctor Strange love interest from the comics in Doctor Strange 3 might be the best path.
Our Take On Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange 3 Comments
Doctor Strange Can’t Come Back To The MCU Soon Enough
Benedict Cumberbatch seems excited to continue playing Doctor Strange. Likewise, I am happy that he is having active talks with Marvel about what that future could look like for the character in the MCU. Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange 3 tease is not surprising, but it sure is positive, as the character’s relationship with Clea can be developed better there, as more time would be dedicated to fleshing out their dynamic than in an Avengers movie. It also seems like a new director could take over the reins from Sam Raimi for Doctor Strange 3, which I would not oppose.
All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date
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February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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Source: Variety
