The MCU is preparing for a major status quo change, and a recent comic book leak might be pointing toward what’s next.
After several divisive releases, Phase Six kicked off with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). The movie had a strong debut, though it quickly slipped in its second week. Even so, Disney CEO Bob Iger assured fans that the team would be “central to the future of the franchise.”
Kang’s arc no longer leading the charge, Marvel Studios retooled its long-form storytelling strategy—ultimately guiding everything toward Doctor Doom. At last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Kevin Feige revealed that Anthony and Joe Russo are returning to direct Avengers: Doomsday (formerly The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 2026 and December 2027.
One of the most anticipated developments is Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU—this time as Victor Von Doom. His post-credits cameo in The Fantastic Four: First Steps laid his future storyline in place.
Earlier this year, a livestream confirmed the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, featuring a star-packed ensemble. Robert Downey Jr. leads as Doctor Doom alongside Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Kelsey Grammer as Beast, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Chris Hemsworth as Thor.
Also joining the team are Channing Tatum as Gambit, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, Danny Ramirez as Falcon, Ian McKellen as Magneto, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler.
Rounding out the cast list are David Harbour as Red Guardian, Letitia Wright as Shuri/Black Panther, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor, Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.
But eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed one absence: Benedict Cumberbatch.
Since his 2016 debut, Doctor Strange has been one of the MCU’s most vital connective threads. He has appeared in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), where he opened portals for the final battle. His presence continued with Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which unveiled the character’s mysterious third eye.
Still, he was missing from the March 2025 cast reveal for Doomsday. In an interview promoting The Roses (2025), Cumberbatch responded to the topic during a conversation with Omelete, saying: “Who knows? Maybe they just didn’t have enough chairs.” Fans also noticed other MCU regulars—such as Mark Ruffalo and Brie Larson—were not included.
Marvel Makes Scarlet Witch Decision—Will It Impact the Coming Movies?
Marvel Comics has announced a new comic run titled “Sorcerer Supreme,” launching in December and headlined by Wanda Maximoff. Designed to spotlight Marvel’s mystical realm, the series presents Scarlet Witch as she steps into a role long connected to Doctor Strange. It is written by Steve Orlando with artwork by Bernard Chang, and includes main and variant covers by Leirix. Russell Dauterman designed Wanda’s new costume and is contributing variant covers for the first five issues.
The upcoming story picks up after the fallout of “One World Under Doom,” where Victor Von Doom’s defeat leaves the position of Sorcerer Supreme vacant. Wanda steps up—but is rejected by the Vishanti, who select Agatha Harkness instead. Following a confrontation, Wanda wakes up in Limbo—ruled by Madelyne Pryor—and must escape its dangers to reclaim her place. As the conflict with the Vishanti deepens, new magical threats begin to surface.
Speaking via Comic Book Movie, Steve Orlando stated that after the title was left empty, the question became “who hears the artifacts and cries for help?”—saying Wanda was the obvious answer.
The series follows a chain of mantle holders. After Doctor Strange’s death, Clea Strange stepped in, followed by Doctor Doom in “Blood Hunt.” With “Sorcerer Supreme #1” arriving December 31, Wanda is poised to lead the next chapter through 2026.
Ahead of the finale of “One World Under Doom,” a leaked preview offered an early look at Wanda’s Sorcerer Supreme transformation. As reported by Bleeding Cool, the Scarlet Witch is seen embracing the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation—the hallmark artifacts of the title.
In the comic book panel, Wanda is seen exiting a door in Lotkill, New York, before saying: “Eye of Agamotto, Cloak of Levitation, great icons of the Sorcerer Supreme. Welcome back. My name is Wanda. Shall we start some trouble?”
While the MCU doesn’t always track with the comics, the idea of Wanda stepping into Strange’s role could tie into future adaptations—especially given that Elizabeth Olsen’s return remains uncertain.
How do you feel about this next chapter of the Sorcerer Supreme? Let us know in the comments down below!
