During a career retrospective interview for Netflix, Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his role as Doctor Strange, teased about his involvement in the upcoming Avengers movie, stating that he was looking forward to it as it’s “cooking up a storm.” This revelation is unusual as Cumberbatch is typically known for preventing his co-star Tom Holland from giving away spoilers.
It appears that Benedict Cumberbatch is set to return as Dr. Stephen Strange in the upcoming film originally planned as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, due to the dismissal of actor Jonathan Majors from his role as Kang, the movie is undergoing revisions. Filming is expected to begin next year, and the release date is scheduled for May 1, 2026.
Filmmaker Shawn Levy, known for Deadpool and Wolverine, is being considered to direct Avengers 5. Other directors are also being considered for the role. The script was last handled by Michael Waldron, the creator of Loki.
The original plan involved introducing Kang in Loki season 2 and then featuring him prominently in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, ultimately leading to his role as a major villain similar to Thanos. However, following Jonathan Majors’ legal issues, Marvel is changing its plans for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Cumberbatch’s character, Doctor Strange, was last seen in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, where his involvement led to the introduction of various villains from different dimensions. Cumberbatch expressed his enthusiasm for the role and its potential for contributing to diverse storytelling and less commercial filmmaking.
