Doctor Strange star Benedict Cumberbatch has said he knows when he'll back as Marvel's caped sorcerer — suggesting an imminent return may now be on the cards.

Cumberbatch's name was mysteriously absent from Marvel's big chair reveal confirming the main stars of Avengers: Doomsday. But fans have long suggested the multiversal character has to be in the movie in some capacity, even if he is being kept under wraps. (And, certainly, there's been suggestion that other, spoilery MCU stars have also returned without being announced.)

Now, Cumberbatch has said in an interview that his character is indeed "coming" back to the MCU, and knew when this would be. But the actor stopped short of saying whether he knew because he had filmed fresh scenes as Strange already, or whether he had simply been booked to shoot something in future.

Avengers: Doomsday has now wrapped its principal photography ahead of its release on December 18, 2026, but it's expected the movie will get Marvel's standard package of additional shooting at the start of next year, ahead of Avengers: Secret Wars principal photography beginning after that.

So, even if Cumberbatch hasn't filmed anything yet, there's still a chance he'll pop up in Doomsday — and it's hard to believe Marvel won't give him at least a cameo. As one of the MCU's characters with the best knowledge of multiversal shenanigans, you'd expect he'd be at the forefront of sorting out whatever Robert Downey Jr's Doctor Doom is up to.

But perhaps that's why he's not being given a front seat — as he'd sort it all out too quickly. Story-wise, Marvel may feel it better to save Strange for a post-credits scene in Doomsday, or even just for Secret Wars entirely.

"I have more than a sense, but I can't share it," Cumberbatch told Collider, when asked if he knew when audiences would see Strange again. "He's coming. At some point you definitely will."

Cumberbatch was last seen in the MCU battling the Scarlet Witch back in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which already feels like some time ago. The film ended on a couple of cliffhangers, with Strange inexplicably sprouting a third eye, then being whisked off by Charlize Theron's Clea to fix another multiversal incursion — and that's the last we've heard of him since.

The actor's answer is similar in tone to the knowing response recently given by Wolverine star Hugh Jackman, who was also asked about a return for his fan-favorite clawed character. "I am never saying 'never' ever again," Jackman quipped, while holding firm on the details. As of yet, there's been no suggestion he'll appear in Doomsday either.

But clearly Marvel already has a good sense of who it wants to include in Secret Wars, too, since a recent report tipped Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink as also appearing in the 2027 sequel, reprising her mysterious role that she's set to debut in next year's Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

If you're hunting for the best offers this week, we're actively rounding up the strongest Black Friday deals on video games, tech, and more. You can find all our top picks and price drops in our full Black Friday hub, or check out our relevant pages for PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox deals.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social