Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have reason to celebrate as Benedict Cumberbatch confirms his return as Doctor Strange in the much-anticipated 'Avengers 5', set to begin filming next year.
- Jun 22, 2024
AceShowbiz - Marvel fans, rejoice! Doctor Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is officially set to return for the fifth "Avengers" movie, and filming is slated to begin next year. In a recent interview with Netflix, Cumberbatch fondly spoke about his ongoing role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and shared his excitement for the upcoming film.
"It's been a very lovely relationship with that company," Cumberbatch said. "I'm very much looking forward to Avengers [5] next year."
The upcoming film, which was previously titled "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty", is expected to feature a staggering number of characters - reportedly over 60 heroes and villains.
Although the 2026 release date remains unchanged, there is increasing speculation that the film might undergo a title change due to recent developments surrounding the character of Kang. Jonathan Majors, who played Kang, was dropped from the project following legal issues. This has left fans wondering about the film's new direction and primary antagonist.
There's also buzz about director Shawn Levy, fresh off his success with "Deadpool & Wolverine", possibly stepping into the director's role after Destin Daniel Cretton's departure in 2023. The film aims to balance the grandeur of a multiversal storyline with personal, emotional stakes for its characters.
According to writer Michael Waldron, "The danger is you can expand your scope too wide, and you can actually reduce the stakes if you don't make it personal as you go bigger and wider."
The return of Doctor Strange is particularly exciting given Cumberbatch's heartfelt reflections on the role. He noted, "The joy of playing [Doctor Strange] is immense, but also the joy of playing him means I can help create and platform stories and writing and less commercial fare into being. So, he's a gift in many, many ways in my life."
As we edge closer to 2026, fans can look forward to seeing not just Doctor Strange but also familiar faces like Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Simu Liu, and Karen Gillian. The movie is part of Marvel's Phase Six and will be followed by another highly anticipated sequel, "Avengers: Secret Wars", set for release in 2027.
For more updates on "Avengers 5" and other upcoming Marvel projects, keep an eye on all Marvel-related news and enjoy revisiting Benedict Cumberbatch's past performances as the Master of the Mystic Arts on Disney+.
