The Marvel Cinematic Universe has built its reputation on secrets, surprises, and the occasional well-placed misdirection. With ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ now filming and anticipation at an all-time high, the secrecy surrounding the cast list has left fans eagerly dissecting every interview and comment from the stars.
One such star is Dafne Keen, best known as Laura/X-23, who made her Marvel debut in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Despite the ending of that film seemingly setting her up for more, Keen insists she has no idea whether she’ll be back for Marvel’s next Avengers blockbuster. Adding to the speculation are Benedict Cumberbatch‘s remarks about Doctor Strange’s future in the Avengers franchise.
Dafne Keen Swears She Has No Idea About ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
During an appearance at FAN EXPO Canada, Dafne Keen sat down with SR to discuss her status in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Her response was candid and perhaps a little frustrating for fans desperate for clarity. “I actually have no idea, like, legitimately, I swear to you,” Keen said. “I literally, right now, I have no idea. I’ve not heard.” Her words left the door open in both directions.
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On the one hand, the actress may genuinely not have been approached yet. With ‘Avengers: Doomsday‘ juggling one of the largest ensembles in Marvel history, scheduling is complicated, and certain characters might not film their parts until reshoots or later phases of production. On the other hand, Keen’s coyness immediately reminded fans of how she handled press for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’.
She admitted she’d been forced to lie repeatedly in interviews to protect her return as X-23. In other words, Keen knows how to play Marvel’s secrecy game. The possibility remains that she’s downplaying her involvement simply to protect one of the studio’s most tightly guarded secrets. Story-wise, her inclusion makes perfect sense.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ ended with Wade Wilson, Logan, and Laura together at Deadpool’s apartment. With Ryan Reynolds already set to appear in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, it would feel incomplete to leave Laura and Logan behind, especially given the multiversal threats the Avengers are rumored to face. For now, though, Keen’s uncertainty mirrors that of the audience.
Benedict Cumberbatch Keeps On Misdirecting Fans About His Return As Doctor Strange
If Keen’s comments feel like honest hesitation, Benedict Cumberbatch’s remarks about Doctor Strange land somewhere between trolling and mischief. The British star has long enjoyed playing with fan expectations. Now, his recent interview has only added fuel to the fire. At the premiere of his film ‘The Roses‘, Cumberbatch was asked if Strange would appear in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.
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“I wonder,” he teased. Additionally, this wasn’t the first time he addressed the question. Earlier this year, Cumberbatch bluntly declared that Strange would not be in ‘Doomsday.’ “Is that a spoiler? F**k it,” he said. “He’s sitting out Avengers: Doomsday. But he will be in a lot of Secret Wars. He’s quite central to where things might go.”
That remark seemed to settle things until he began walking it back. He admitted, “Don’t ever believe anything I say,” acknowledging that part of the fun for him lies in keeping fans guessing. This leaves audiences in limbo. Is Doctor Strange sitting out Doomsday to let other heroes take the spotlight, only to return in Secret Wars with a pivotal role? Or is Marvel deliberately planting misdirection to preserve the element of surprise?
