The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for a major shift, and a recent leak in another prime Marvel space is exciting fans.Credit: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia CommonsFollowing a period of mixed critical and financial results, Phase Six launched with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), which opened strongly before experiencing a steep drop in its second week. Still, Disney CEO Bob Iger made it clear that Marvel’s First Family would be “central to the future of the franchise.”Before the arrival of the first Phase Six movie, and with Kang’s arc derailed, Marvel refocused its long-term storytelling–leading directly to Doctor Doom. During San Diego Comic-Con last year, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that Anthony and Joe Russo will direct Avengers: Doomsday (formerly The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars, set for December 2026 and 2027.Credit: Marvel StudiosThe franchise will bring Robert Downey Jr. back as Victor Von Doom. His post-credits cameo in The Fantastic Four: First Steps laid the groundwork for Doom’s central role moving forward.The cast of Avengers: Doomsday was revealed in a livestream earlier this year, showcasing both returning and brand-new heroes. Robert Downey Jr. plays Doctor Doom, joined by 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 included 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.Credit: Marvel StudiosOther confirmed cast members include 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 one key Marvel player was missing: Benedict Cumberbatch.Since his 2016 debut, Doctor Strange has been a crucial thread within the MCU, appearing in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019), where he opened the portals that brought the Avengers together for the final fight. He returned in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and again in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which introduced the character’s mysterious third eye.Credit: Marvel StudiosDespite this extensive history, Stephen Strange was absent from the Doomsday lineup revealed in March 2025. During a press interview for The Roses (2025), Cumberbatch was asked about the missing seat at the table. Speaking to Omelete, he said, “Who knows? Maybe they just didn’t have enough chairs.” Several other notable MCU stars, including Mark Ruffalo and Brie Larson, were also left off the list.Marvel Makes Scarlet Witch Decision—Will It Impact the Coming Movies?Marvel Comics confirmed that Wanda Maximoff will lead a new comic book series titled “Sorcerer Supreme,” launching in December. The story places Scarlet Witch at the center of Marvel’s mystical world as she takes on the mantle long associated with Doctor Strange. The series is written by Steve Orlando, with artwork by Bernard Chang, and features main and variant covers by Leirix. Russell Dauterman designed Wanda’s new costume and will contribute variant covers for the first five issues.Credit: Marvel StudiosFollowing the fallout of “One World Under Doom,” Victor Von Doom’s defeat leaves the Sorcerer Supreme title vacant. Wanda steps forward — but the mystical triumvirate known as the Vishanti rejects her, instead choosing Agatha Harkness as their Sorcerer Supreme. After battling Agatha, Wanda wakes in Limbo, ruled by Madelyne Pryor, and must survive demonic threats to return home. As Wanda and the Vishanti clash, greater magical dangers begin to surface.Speaking via Comic Book Movie, writer Steve Orlando explained that when the title was left empty, the question became “who hears the artifacts and cries for help?”–adding that Wanda was the natural answer.Credit: Marvel ComicsThe story follows a rotating legacy of magic wielders. After Doctor Strange’s death, Clea Strange held the mantle, followed by Doctor Doom during “Blood Hunt.” Now Wanda Maximoff rises to take the lead. “Sorcerer Supreme #1” releases December 31 and promises a bold direction for the Scarlet Witch.However, ahead of the climactic issue of “One World Under Doom,” the first look at the new Sorcerer Supreme has leaked, showcasing the Scarlet Witch in all her glory. According to Bleeding Cool, Wanda Maximoff is seen embracing the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation, the two relics inherently linked to the Sorcerer Supreme.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?”Credit: Marvel ComicsThis reveal firmly sets up the forthcoming “Sorcerer Supreme #1,” which commences at the very end of the year and runs through 2026.While the MCU doesn’t directly mirror the comics, these storylines offer threads that could connect to future live-action chapters, especially as Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch remains unconfirmed onscreen.The Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange in the MCUDoctor Stephen Strange began as a surgeon whose life changed after a car accident left him in search of healing. His training at Kamar-Taj led him toward a greater purpose, ultimately preparing him to face Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. After the Blip, Wong temporarily assumed the title of Sorcerer Supreme.Credit: Marvel StudiosIn Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda Maximoff–devastated after WandaVision and corrupted by the Darkhold–attempted to seize control of the Multiverse to reunite with her children. Her battle with Strange became one of Marvel’s most intense magical conflicts. By the film’s end, Wanda appeared to sacrifice herself to end the Darkhold’s influence across the universes.Strange continues to protect reality, while the MCU now waits to see what becomes of both characters–on the page, and possibly back on the big screen.What do you think about these shifts? Could they shape the live-action story? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!The post “Doom” Ends as Marvel’s New Sorcerer Supreme Leaks Online Ahead of MCU’s ‘Avengers 5’ appeared first on Inside the Magic.