The Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering a whole new era, but does a new announcement suggest a big change to fan-favorite characters in the series?Credit: Marvel StudiosDoomsday Is ComingThe Marvel Cinematic Universe has weathered a mix of highs and lows in recent years. While hits like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) reaffirmed its box office strength, other releases struggled to maintain that momentum.Captain America: Brave New World (2025) was expected to reset the tone for Marvel’s next era, but didn’t deliver the spark many anticipated. The tide began to shift with Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts* (2025), which drew strong reviews and a solid audience response. Although it didn’t break major box office records, it helped restore confidence in the studio’s broader vision.Credit: Marvel StudiosPhase Six kicked off with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), which opened big before suffering a sharp second-week decline. Still, Disney CEO Bob Iger reaffirmed that Marvel’s First Family would be “central to the future of the franchise.”One of Marvel’s biggest hurdles came after Jonathan Majors’ exit. Once set to anchor the Multiverse Saga as Kang the Conqueror, Majors’ role was dropped following allegations from his ex-partner, Grace Jabbari. His dismissal forced Marvel to rethink its long-term storytelling strategy.That creative shift has brought Doctor Doom into the spotlight. During last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that Anthony and Joe Russo would helm Avengers: Doomsday (formerly The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for December 2026 and 2027 releases.Credit: Marvel StudiosIn a major twist, Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU—not as Iron Man, but as Victor Von Doom. The Oppenheimer (2023) star debuted as Doom in a post-credits scene for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, setting the stage for his larger presence in the next Avengers films.While Kang hasn’t been completely erased from the canon, his storyline has taken a backseat. His most recent appearances were as Victor Timely in Loki season 2 and in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), but Doom is now the franchise’s main villain.Speculation continues about Kang’s future. Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (Rustin, Sing Sing) confirmed he’s had talks with Marvel, though “not about a specific role.” The concept of the Council of Kangs still leaves the door open for potential variants, but the focus has clearly shifted toward Doom’s reign.Credit: Marvel StudiosBenedict Cumberbatch Excluded From Avengers: DoomsdayEarlier this year, Marvel Studios revealed the core cast for Avengers: Doomsday in a live-stream event featuring more than 20 returning and new heroes.The lineup includes Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, 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. Other cast members include 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 StudiosAlso joining 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.However, one familiar face was noticeably missing—Benedict Cumberbatch.Introduced in Doctor Strange (2016), Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange went from an egotistical surgeon to Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. He guided Thor and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), played a vital role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and returned for Avengers: Endgame (2019), where he opened the portals in the climactic battle.Credit: Marvel StudiosCumberbatch reprised his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), where his spell fractured the Multiverse, and again in Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), which ended with Strange’s ominous third eye. Despite this, the actor was left off the Doomsday cast list revealed in March 2025.When asked about the omission during a press interview for The Roses (2025), Cumberbatch didn’t hold back. Speaking to Omelete, he joked, “Who knows? Maybe they just didn’t have enough chairs.”Omissions have also been the case for several other high-profile MCU stars like Mark Ruffalo and Brie Larson.Credit: Marvel StudiosMarvel Makes Scarlet Witch Decision–Will It Impact the Coming Movies?Marvel Comics has officially announced that Wanda Maximoff will step into an all-new mystical role this December in “Sorcerer Supreme,” a fresh ongoing comic book series that places the Scarlet Witch at the center of Marvel’s magical universe. The story sees Wanda assuming the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, a title long associated with Doctor Strange, and taking her power and purpose to new heights.The series is written by Steve Orlando, with artwork by Bernard Chang, and features main and variant covers by Leirix. Russell Dauterman, who has become well known for his work on the Scarlet Witch’s previous appearances, has designed Wanda’s striking new costume and will contribute variant covers for the first five issues.Credit: Marvel ComicsFollowing the fallout of “One World Under Doom,” Victor Von Doom’s defeat leaves the Sorcerer Supreme title unclaimed. Wanda steps forward to accept the role, but the mystical triumvirate known as the Vishanti refuses to recognize her authority. Instead, they appoint Agatha Harkness as their chosen Sorcerer Supreme, setting the stage for a tense magical confrontation between the two witches.After clashing with Agatha, Wanda awakens in Limbo, a dark dimension ruled by Madelyne Pryor. To make her way back home, Wanda must battle Pryor’s demonic forces and face new trials that test both her power and her resolve. Meanwhile, as Wanda and the Vishanti are drawn into conflict, unseen mystical threats begin to rise, threatening the balance of magic across the realms.Credit: Marvel StudiosSpeaking about the story, via Comic Book Movie, writer Steve Orlando said that once the title of Sorcerer Supreme was left vacant, a key question arose—“who hears the artifacts and cries for help?”—and that Wanda was the natural choice to answer. He emphasized that the Scarlet Witch’s unique connection to the magical world makes her perfectly suited for this next chapter.This new series builds on a legacy of shifting magical leadership in Marvel Comics. After Doctor Strange’s death, Clea Strange took up the mantle, followed by a brief period where Doctor Doom held the title during “Blood Hunt.” Now, with Doom defeated, Wanda Maximoff takes her place as the new Sorcerer Supreme. “Sorcerer Supreme #1” arrives on December 31, promising an ambitious and visually stunning new saga for the Scarlet Witch as she redefines her destiny in the Marvel Universe.Credit: Marvel ComicsWhile the live-action MCU takes only inspiration from the source material, there are so many threads here that could be explored in the coming Phase Six, Seven, and beyond–especially considering the fate of Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch has not been truly confirmed.The Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange in the MCUIn the MCU, Doctor Stephen Strange serves as the Sorcerer Supreme, the primary protector of Earth against mystical and interdimensional threats.After a career-ending car accident shatters his hands, Strange seeks healing in Kamar-Taj, where he trains under the Ancient One and learns the mystic arts. Initially motivated by ego, he evolves into a powerful sorcerer, mastering spells, astral projection, and time manipulation through the Eye of Agamotto, which contains the Time Stone.Credit: Marvel StudiosBy the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Strange has become one of the most formidable Avengers, using his vast magical abilities to confront Thanos. Following his disappearance during the Blip, Wong temporarily assumes the title of Sorcerer Supreme.In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Strange faces one of his most personal and devastating challenges yet: Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch. Consumed by grief after the events of WandaVision and corrupted by the Darkhold, Wanda seeks to reunite with her lost children by seizing control of the Multiverse, even if it means destroying entire realities. Her descent into darkness puts her in direct conflict with Strange, leading to a Multiversal battle between two of the most powerful magic users in the MCU.Credit: Marvel StudiosBy the film’s end, Wanda seemingly sacrifices herself to destroy the Darkhold and end its corrupting influence across all universes, bringing her tragic arc full circle—from Avenger to antagonist to redemption. Meanwhile, Strange continues to protect reality, still driven by the weight of his choices and the ever-expanding dangers of the Multiverse.How do you feel about this new development for the characters? Do you think it will transition into the live-action universe? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post Marvel Confirms Scarlet Witch Is New Sorcerer Supreme, Replacing Doctor Strange Amid ‘Doomsday’ Casting News appeared first on Inside the Magic.