Marvel Studios’ anticipated release Avengers: Doomsday starring Robert Downey Jr. is going to be a part of Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avengers: Doomsday will also see the return of the Russo Brothers to the MCU, which promises to be a crossover event of unprecedented magnitude, with powerful villains facing off against the biggest hero lineup ever.
It has been reported that the movie was initially planned for a May 2025 release, but due to the studios’ shuffling of the schedule in June 2023, the movie was shifted to a 2026 release. Fans are excited to not only see Robert Downey Jr. return to the franchise but also Chris Evans, who is said to be returning in an undisclosed role. But Downey Jr. and Evans are not the only ones making a return.
Benedict Cumberbatch seemingly confirms his return to the MCU with Avengers: Doomsday
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appeared at the Red Sea Film Festival and was asked about his superhero character. He said to Variety,
Doctor Strange is a complex man motivated by a need to control everything at any cost. I am interested in seeing where these costs take him. There is a lot more to play, and it’s very exciting.
The actor also described the movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as grand gestures, adding that when they are really good, they tend to capture the zeitgeist and speak to the viewer and the culture. He noted that they are so much fun to do. Cumberbatch had initially been a little hesitant about how Doctor Strange would be perceived in the middle of other superheroes who were already fan favorites.
He explained that he feared that Doctor Strange as a character would be labeled as a bit of a misogynist and an arrogant sod, but to his surprise, the character is one of the beloved characters. He mentioned that was the key to the success, adding that no one had seen anything like what his character could do in the MCU.
Just what Strange brings in terms of harnessing power through sheer will. That is a superpower, and as an origin story, it is pretty rich.
Upon his return to the MCU, the actor said that he is very excited to work with the Russo Brothers along with Robert Downey Jr., who is going to return as Doctor Doom.
He added that, according to him, there are going to be some really cool developments ahead, and he is excited to see what happens next.
Benedict Cumberbatch talks about Doctor Strange’s growth over the movies
Benedict Cumberbatch recently attended an event in Tokyo where he shared about his character’s growth over the years. He said (via TV Groove),
He does change, but he’s also constantly dealing with the same question: What do you sacrifice for the powers you have? His powers aren’t given to him by some special spider or nanotechnology; they are given to him by some extremely dangerous demon or god or other dimension. As a person, I think he’s growing.
Further in the conversation, Cumberbatch added that Doctor Strange still has a lot of learning to do in terms of how to act for others, how to work in a team, or how to trust others. He added that Strange is a very complex and interesting character who started as an arrogant character who was doing godly things as a neurosurgeon.
Cumberbatch said that now Strange is doing godly things as a magician. He mentioned that he is growing, but he has a lot of ongoing psychological issues that he’s trying to work through.
Avengers: Doomsday is also going to see the return of fan-favorite Chris Evans, who played Captain America back in the franchise; however, it is still not confirmed what character Evans will play in the movie (via Deadline). Evans already passed down his shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, who is also going to be a part of the highly awaited movie.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for May 1, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which Infinity War star does the article say is returning for Avengers: Doomsday?
The article points to Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange, as the latest Avengers: Infinity War star linked to Avengers: Doomsday, following earlier returns tied to Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. The basis is Cumberbatch’s own enthusiastic remarks at the Red Sea Film Festival rather than a separate formal Marvel Studios casting announcement, so his appearance is best treated as strongly implied rather than officially confirmed.
What did Benedict Cumberbatch say about reprising Doctor Strange?
Per the article, Cumberbatch described Doctor Strange at the Red Sea Film Festival as a complex man motivated by a need to control everything at any cost, adding that he is interested in seeing where those costs take the character. He said Strange still has a lot of learning to do about acting for others, working in a team, and trusting people, and expressed excitement about working with the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr., teasing that there is a lot more to play.
Who is directing Avengers: Doomsday, and what role does Robert Downey Jr. play, according to the article?
The article states that the Russo Brothers are returning to the MCU to direct Avengers: Doomsday and that Robert Downey Jr. is set to appear as the villain Doctor Doom rather than as Iron Man. It frames the film as a large-scale crossover event in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Release timing for Marvel projects has shifted before, so any specific date in the piece should be read as reflecting the information available when it was written.
