One of the MCU's biggest stars backpedaled comments made about when they may suit up in Phase 6.
The MCU’s Phase 6 (the final phase of the Multiverse Saga) is mere months away from getting underway with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While the upcoming Disney+ slate is still something of a mystery, this new phase will bring half a dozen thrilling theatrical entries to the MCU.
This will be the first time since Phase 3 that fans will get a major Avengers team-up movie, which will happen twice to close off Phase 6. Those two movies are expected to be arguably the biggest in MCU history, and many expect them to have two of the longest call sheets ever as well for Marvel.
MCU Star on Phase 6 Return: "I Got That Wrong"
Speaking at the red carpet event for The Thing With Feathers (via Business Insider), Benedict Cumberbatch backtracked on comments he made about when exactly he'll be returning to the MCU in Phase 6.
In a report from Variety in mid-January, Cumberbatch shocked the world by noting he will not appear in 2026's Avengers: Doomsday. Specifically, he explained that he would not be in the film due to "the character not aligning with this part of the story," and he was not bothered by the potential repercussions of that reveal.
About a week later, he changed his stance, telling fans, "I got that wrong, I am in the next one" when asked if Marvel spoke to him about his previous comments.
He continued to play coy, however, when the outlet pointed out how Marvel stars have often lied about their status in future MCU movies over the years. To that, he smirked and said, "Don't ever believe anything I say."
Cumberbatch is now lined up to play big roles in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the films that will help culminate Phase 6 and the entire Multiverse Saga.
Who To Expect in the MCU's Phase 6
Considering how shocking Cumberbatch's original comments about Avengers: Doomsday were, many will be relieved to hear this change of plan.
With the Multiverse about to meet its breaking point, having Strange heavily involved is essentially a necessity thanks to his powers and expertise on the matter.
This now gives Cumberbatch plans for at least two appearances in Phase 6, which could expand if his third Doctor Strange movie comes together quickly (see more on Doctor Strange 3 here). Additionally, it leads many to wonder who else will join him for much of the ride in Phase 6.
Set to play a huge role in Phase 6 is the MCU's take on the Fantastic Four, who will make their long-awaited debut to kick the phase off in The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July 2025. The MCU's First Family is also confirmed to be featured heavily in Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to continue into Secret Wars.
Also on fans' radar is Tom Holland's Spider-Man as he gets set to star in Spider-Man 4, which will debut in between the next two Avengers movies. This would potentially set him up for three appearances across Phase 6.
Elsewhere, reports hinted at a possible return for both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfields' web-slingers, especially with Spider-Man 4 expected to be another Multiverse-heavy story. While Garfield once again refuses to say a word about it, he and Maguire are sure to be major talking points for viewers.
While much of Phase 6 is still being kept under wraps (especially on the streaming side), anticipation is starting to build with its debut coming in only half a year.
Phase 6 of the MCU will start with The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25. Avengers: Doomsday is due to blast onto the big screen on May 1, 2026.
