An iconic Marvel hero is seemingly making their return in Avengers: Doomsday! A report seems to indicate that one of the franchise’s biggest stars used a codename for filming.
Despite how big a moment it was for the fandom, it’s easy to forget that “Chair Day” holds the only confirmed names fans have for Avengers: Doomsday. Major names such as Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, and Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter still haven’t been confirmed to appear in the movie, even if the rumor mill has deluded fans into thinking they have.
Yet it seems at least one of those stars made their return in secret. A report from Murphy’s Multiverse suggests that Benedict Cumberbatch shot multiple “pivotal, high-security” scenes as Doctor Strange in Avengers: Doomsday. However, the actor was given the codename “Ivan” on set to keep his involvement a secret.
The Hidden Meaning In Benedict Cumberbatch’s Fake Name
For anyone with a cursory knowledge of history, the name “Ivan” should immediately remind them of Ivan the Terrible, the first tsar of Russia. He’s a figure infamous for many things, but broadly he’s known for pushing Russia into a new era through blood and hardship. Could this signal the path Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is taking in Avengers: Doomsday?
Reports have already suggested that Doctor Strange may be making a heel turn in Avengers: Doomsday. If this is true, the codename could give fans insight as to WHY Benedict Cumberbatch may now be playing a villain. Namely, that he’s doing evil things to try to bring on a greater world for the MCU going forward.
Reports have suggested that Doctor Strange won’t exactly be acting on the up-and-up during Avengers: Doomsday.