Benedict Cumberbatch’s Codename on the Set of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Was Reportedly “Ivan”

(NOTE: This post contains potential spoilers for Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday.)

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is confirmed to play a central role in Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday, as he was reportedly filmed secretly for several scenes.

According to John Campea, Doctor Doom’s right-hand man will be Doctor Strange, and Cumberbatch’s codename on the set of Avengers: Doomsday was “Ivan.” Although Marvel Studios has not yet officially confirmed Cumberbatch’s casting.

Recently, insider Daniel Richtman reported that Doctor Doom’s right-hand man in Avengers: Doomsday is reportedly a wizard who can use a sling ring. He wears a mask similar to Doom’s, but with a slot for a third eye on his forehead.

In Jonathan Hickman’s 2015 Secret Wars comic, Doctor Strange also serves as Doom’s right-hand man on Battleworld, acting as his sheriff and keeping order across the domains.

The MCU is reportedly adapting this idea. Because of his guilt over causing incursions, the corruption from the Darkhold, and his belief that Doom is necessary to save the multiverse, Strange chooses to work for Doom. He is not mind-controlled.

In Doomsday, Doctor Strange becomes convinced that the Avengers are incapable of stopping the multiversal collapse. Doctor Doom offers him a plan and total control over magic, and Strange becomes his right-hand man. He serves as the executor of Doom’s plan, manipulating incursions and controlling the TVA. Strange also prioritizes the “survival of the multiverse” over local heroes, driven by pragmatism and an obsession with saving the multiverse.

Strange’s alliance with Doom explains why they don’t help the Avengers: they believe Doom’s plan is the only way to save the multiverse from incursions.

Directed by the Russo brothers from a screenplay by their longtime collaborator Stephen McFeely and Michael Waldron.

Here’s the plot synopsis for Avengers: Doomsday:

“Doctor Doom has officially arrived on the Marvel Cinematic Universe stage. This villain, a master of cutting-edge science and powerful magic, will unleash a cascading crisis across the multiverse. Marvel’s most iconic actor, Robert Downey Jr., also returns as Doctor Doom!”

Confirmed Cast for Avengers: Doomsday

Main MCU Heroes:

• Robert Downey Jr. – Doctor Doom
• Chris Evans – Steve Rogers
• Paul Rudd – Ant-Man
• Simu Liu – Shang-Chi
• Tom Hiddleston – Loki
• Florence Pugh – Yelena Belova
• Danny Ramirez – Falcon
• Sebastian Stan – Bucky Barnes
• Winston Duke – M’Baku
• Chris Hemsworth – Thor
• Letitia Wright – Black Panther
• Tenoch Huerta Mejía – Namor
• Anthony Mackie – Captain America
• David Harbour – Red Guardian
• Wyatt Russell – U.S. Agent
• Hannah John-Kamen – Ghost
• Lewis Pullman – Sentry

X-Men Universe:

• Ian McKellen – Magneto
• Patrick Stewart – Professor X
• Rebecca Romijn – Mystique
• James Marsden – Cyclops
• Kelsey Grammer – Beast
• Alan Cumming – Nightcrawler
• Channing Tatum – Gambit

Fantastic Four Universe:

• Pedro Pascal – Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic)
• Vanessa Kirby – Sue Storm (Invisible Woman)
• Joseph Quinn – Johnny Storm (Human Torch)
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach – Ben Grimm (The Thing)

Produced by Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Russo Brothers will produce through their AGBO banner.

Avengers: Doomsday will be released in theaters and IMAX across the United States on December 18, 2026.