Why Doctor Strange May Be Fighting for Doctor Doom in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Marvel fans have spent months debating a question that seemed unthinkable a few years ago, whether Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange might actually be standing alongside the villain in ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ Leaked set photos, an unconfirmed cast list, and comments from Cumberbatch himself have all fed a theory that the Sorcerer Supreme could be serving as Doctor Doom’s right hand man rather than fighting against him.

The speculation intensified after a wave of leaked images appeared to show a masked figure in armor resembling Doctor Doom’s own design, complete with a third eye slot on the forehead, a detail long associated with Strange’s mystical abilities. The leaked images sparked speculation about Doctor Strange’s allegiance in the movie, with fans suggesting the armored figures could include Strange, Clea, Loki variants, or Wanda Maximoff, though nothing has been officially confirmed.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Leaks Point to a Shocking Allegiance

The images that fueled this theory reportedly surfaced from behind the scenes of production. Other leaked photos showed groups of armored figures alongside an image of Scarlet Witch in an aggressive stance, feeding rumors that Doctor Strange may be aligned with Doom for at least part of the film.

That speculation was reinforced by industry reporting that predates the leaks. Industry insider Daniel Richtman reported in March that Stephen Strange would serve as Doctor Doom’s primary lieutenant in ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ describing him as a wizard who uses a sling ring and wears a mask similar to Doom’s but with a slot for a third eye. Cumberbatch was notably absent from the film’s initial cast reveal and was never spotted on set, though multiple sources claimed he filmed pivotal, high security scenes in the UK under the production codename Boris.

More recent leaks appear to back up those earlier claims. New images have surfaced showing four of Doctor Doom’s followers, referred to as Boris and the Latverian Witches, each wearing their own masks and Doom inspired outfits. Fans quickly speculated that these were not simply generic henchmen but familiar characters in disguise.

Doctor Doom’s Wizard Sidekick and the Sling Ring Connection

The costume details are what really convinced many viewers that this mysterious ally is Strange. One industry insider claimed Doctor Doom will have a wizard sidekick in the film who, like Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, uses a sling ring, and a separate report backed up that theory with additional specifics. A widely followed leaker reportedly shared a pre reshoots cast list placing Cumberbatch in the movie, suggesting he could be playing a variant described as Doom’s wizard sidekick rather than the mainline Strange audiences already know.

That possibility would fit neatly with how the Multiverse Saga has handled variants of established characters in recent years. Given how the multiverse has shaped recent Marvel storytelling, the idea of Cumberbatch playing a variant rather than the primary Strange does not feel far fetched.

Cumberbatch’s own public comments have only added to the uncertainty. The actor initially ruled out an ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ return before later backtracking to reveal that he was actually in the movie, after suggesting he had since spoken with Marvel Studios about it. A separate report had indicated Cumberbatch would not be part of the film’s cast roster at all, tying his absence to the unresolved Incursion Event storyline that began at the end of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’

Secret Wars Comic Storyline as the Blueprint

For longtime Marvel readers, the idea of Strange working with Doom is not entirely new territory. In the Secret Wars comic storyline, Strange teams up with Doom to try to stop a series of incursions from destroying the multiverse, a partnership that culminates in Doom creating Battleworld and becoming its God Emperor with Strange serving as his right hand man. Since ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is setting up an adaptation of that storyline through ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ it would make narrative sense for the filmmakers to give Strange a similar role as one of Doom’s allies.

Some reporting has gone even further, pointing to concept art that reinforces this comic accurate direction. Recently leaked concept art apparently tied to the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ projects appears to show a scene of Strange and Doom together on Battleworld rather than in direct conflict. That detail does not necessarily mean Strange has abandoned the Avengers entirely, and it may instead reflect the kind of morally difficult choices the Sorcerer Supreme has made before.

Why Doctor Strange Might Choose Doom Over the Avengers

The theory gains additional credibility when you consider Strange’s track record of making uncomfortable calculations for a greater good. Strange has consistently shown a willingness to make ethically questionable choices for the greater good, including giving up the Time Stone in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ because he believed there was only one viable path to victory. If Strange becomes convinced that Doom offers the best chance of saving reality from total collapse, siding with him could be another calculated gamble rather than a genuine change of heart.

There is also a storytelling logic to giving Doom a credible ally before eventually turning that alliance against him. Having Strange appear to be on Doom’s side would help sell the idea that Doom is acting with good intentions, especially since Strange has been portrayed as morally unshakable since his introduction to the MCU in 2016. That setup would allow ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ to later reveal Doom is pursuing his goals the wrong way, paving the road for Strange to turn against him in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’

Whatever the truth turns out to be, Marvel has kept the details tightly guarded. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026, giving fans several more months to speculate before the film settles the question for good.

With Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom already positioned as the Multiverse Saga’s defining threat, and Strange’s exact allegiance still unresolved, it is worth asking what this partnership, if confirmed, would mean for the Sorcerer Supreme’s legacy heading into ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ and whether fans would be able to forgive him if he really has crossed over to Doom’s side.