Marvel Star Benedict Cumberbatch Says He Currently Has No Clue About Doctor Strange’s Franchise Future: “I Know As Little As You”

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) warns Peter Parker (Tom Holland) of the consequences of erasing his identity in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Marvel Entertainment
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) warns Peter Parker (Tom Holland) of the consequences of erasing his identity in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Marvel Entertainment

In an admission that does little to instill confidence in the franchise’s already uneasy future, Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch has confessed that when it comes to the (former) Sorcerer Supreme’s next appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he knows just “as little” about it as fans currently do.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is overtaken by Mystical Forces in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is overtaken by Mystical Forces in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment

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Cumberbatch spoke to Disney’s lack of communication regarding his next MCU outing during a May 2024 appearance on The Playlist’s Bingeworthy TV podcast.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) bends the damned spirits of the Darkhold to his will in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) bends the damned spirits of the Darkhold to his will in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment

Amidst a discussion of his upcoming Netflix series Eric, in which the British actor portrays a genius puppeteer whose life begins to unravel after he comes to believe that bringing his missing son’s imaginary monster creation, the titular Eric, to life will somehow prompt the boy come to home, Cumberbatch was eventually asked by the outlet’s Edward Davis if he had any insight as to the current status of a possible Doctor Strange 3.

In turn, the actor exasperatedly exclaimed, “Who knows!”

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts a spell to conceal Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) identity in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Marvel Entertainment

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Further pressed by Davis as to whether or not the good Doctor would at least appear in the upcoming Avengers 5 – especially given his current existence as one of the team’s last remaining Endgame-era members – “We will see. We will find out.”

“I’m not sure where he’s been and what he’s been up to and who with,” he ultimately concluded, “but yeah, I know as little as you.”

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) checks in on America's (Xochitl Gomez) training at Kamar-Taj in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) checks in on America’s (Xochitl Gomez) training at Kamar-Taj in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment

Notably, Cumberbatch is not the first prospective cast member of a potential Doctor Strange 3 to have publicly admitted to having no clue as to their character’s future.

Asked by Happy Sad Confused podcast host and entertainment journalist Josh Horowitz during the red carpet premiere of Fast X in Rome, “What’s the Marvel future? What’s the plan? Do you know when you’re popping up next?”, Clea actress Charlize Theron confirmed, “I don’t. No. I haven’t gotten a call.”

“Is that bad?” the actress then laughed. “Is that bad? Is that bad? No, I’m not lying, I’m not lying, I’m not lying. I haven’t gotten a call. Is that bad?”

Clea (Charlize Theron) demands Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) help her stop an incursion in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment
Clea (Charlize Theron) demands Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) help her stop an incursion in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Marvel Entertainment

Even the rumor mill has no clue as to Doctor Strange and Clea’s next MCU appearance, as despite the endless amount of leaks surrounding such upcoming productions as Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, and even Avengers: Secret Wars, no whisper has been raised on the subject of a possible Doctor Strange 3.

However, rumors have suggested that the MCU’s resident magic-wielder will at the very least make an appearance as part of the aforementioned Secret Wars‘ ensemble cast.

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has come to make a deal in Doctor Strange (2016), Marvel Entertainment
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has come to make a deal in Doctor Strange (2016), Marvel Entertainment

The Cumberbatch-led Eric is currently on track to string its way onto Netflix on May 30th.

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