The entire Marvel fandom felt blindsided by Robert Downey Jr.’s big San Diego Comic-Con reveal last year, when the actor announced he would be returning to the MCU, this time playing a new character — Dr. Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. However, while fans were gobsmacked, none were more shocked than Downey Jr’s castmates, many of whom had no idea he was returning. Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Dr. Strange in the MCU, is the latest actor to come forward, sharing their honest and unfiltered reaction to the announcement, and it’s hilariously relatable.
During an interview with Variety, Cumberbatch revealed his unfiltered reaction to seeing Downey Jr. take to the SDCC stage last year wearing a Dr. Doom mask. “I texted, ‘What the f***?’” the actor said without hesitation about messaging Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Despite Dr. Strange and Iron Man fighting together to save the world in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, those brotherly ties aren’t as tight for Downey Jr. and Cumberbatch in real life, as the latter had absolutely no idea the former Iron Man star would return. Cumberbatch then clarified that he is incredibly happy for his Avengers co-star, despite being completely blindsided. He continued:

“And then quickly added, ‘Good what-the-f*ck. I mean, good what-the-f*ck.”

Cumberbatch is one of many MCU stars who knew nothing about the big reveal. It also turns out that “What the f***!” is the go-to reaction of those who were caught off guard, as it’s exactly what Don Cheadle, who plays War Machine in the MCU, said when he was asked about the moment. Even some of the original Avengers cast, like Jeremy Renner, knew nothing about it. “I had no idea. This son of a b*tch didn’t say anything to me, and we’re good friends,” Renner revealed.
Dr. Strange Won’t Be in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

If Benedict Cumberbatch not being told about Robert Downey Jr.’s return wasn’t bad enough, he’ll also have to wait even longer to work alongside the former Iron Man star again in the MCU. During the same interview, the usually tight-lipped Cumberbatch (who even acted as Tom Holland’s spoilers police during press for Avengers: Endgame) accidentally let slip when and where Doctor Strange will appear in the upcoming MCU slate.
“Is that a spoiler? F*** it!” the actor hilariously began, before revealing that he won’t be appearing in Avengers: Doomsday. However, Cumberbatch also revealed he will play a big part in the following Avengers movie, subtitled Secret Wars. “He’s quite central to where things might go.” If that wasn’t enough, he also said that a third Doctor Strange movie is also in the works at Marvel Studios.

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Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated to be released on May 1, 2026. MCU veterans Joe and Anthony Russo are returning to helm both Doomsday and Secret Wars. Official plot details have yet to be revealed. While the Doomsday title could just be a nod to Downey Jr.’s new character, Secret Wars is one of the biggest and most beloved events in all of Marvel Comics history, alongside the “Infinity Saga.”