As Doctor Strange 3 remains in development at Marvel Studios, Benedict Cumberbatch elaborates on what is going on with his Marvel Cinematic Universe hero. While the MCU timeline is focused on completing The Multiverse Saga over the next two years, one film many are eagerly awaiting updates on is Doctor Strange 3.
In an interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley for The Thing with Feathers, Cumberbatch was asked about what the future is for Doctor Strange, as the audience hasn’t seen the powerful Avenger on the big screen since 2022. When addressing how Kevin Feige had referred to Stephen as “the anchor of the MCU,” and if that was still the case, Cumberbatch said, “You have to ask Kevin.”
As Cumberbatch has previously spoken about wanting to get more hands-on with Doctor Strange 3, the actor was asked about the rumors that Sam Mendes might be up for the directing gig. The British star said, “I honestly, it’s just not worth the backlash, trouble, and the boring nature of any answer following me around forever.”
While he loves “the amount of collaborative input I’m allowed to have in that universe,” Cumberbatch stressed that “but collaboration is collaboration. You’re working with the most amazing people and in the most extraordinary original IPs.”
Cumberbatch concluded his response about Doctor Strange 3 by saying, “So yeah, bring it on. I love being part of a creative process. So yeah, where I can contribute, I do. And it’s exciting to see where he’s going to go next.”
While Cumberbatch may not have gotten a chair revealed during the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement back in March 2025, Doctor Strange is actually set to appear in the 2026 installment. After initially revealing that he wasn’t in it, Cumberbatch clarified in an interview with Business Insider in late January 2025 that he will appear in the next Avengers film: “I got that wrong, I am in the next one.”
Following the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ending, the film grossed $955.7 million at the worldwide box office, becoming one of the biggest hits for The Multiverse Saga. Whether Doctor Strange 3 will happen in Phase 6 or Phase 7 is unclear.
Cumberbatch has previously stated that he is part of the Avengers: Secret Wars cast, as he revealed to Variety on January 22, 2025, that Doctor Strange is “quite central to where things might go.” As of right now, Doctor Strange 3 does not have a set release date.