Benedict Cumberbatch's Role as Boris in Avengers: Doomsday Revealed
Benedict Cumberbatch's role in the upcoming Marvel crossover film Avengers: Doomsday has been revealed to be Boris, Doctor Doom's sidekick. The character will have sling ring abilities and appear as a wizard alongside Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. This news comes as a surprise to fans who had different expectations for Cumberbatch's role in the film.
Marvel Studios had previously confirmed Cumberbatch's involvement in Avengers: Doomsday without specifying his character. The actor himself acknowledged his return in January 2025 after initially suggesting that Doctor Strange would not appear in the film. Cumberbatch's comments sparked speculation about the nature of his role in the movie.
In Marvel Comics, the Boris character is known as a loyal servant to the Doom family in Latveria, serving as a caretaker and advisor to Victor von Doom. The addition of sling ring abilities and wizard elements to the character in the film represents a departure from the source material.
Avengers: Doomsday features an extensive ensemble cast that includes heroes from different universes coming together to face Doctor Doom. The Avengers, Wakandans, and New Avengers are from Earth-616, while the Fantastic Four are from Earth-828, and the X-Men come from a separate universe. The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, with Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely as writers.
Principal photography for Avengers: Doomsday was completed in September 2025 at various locations, including Pinewood Studios in England, Bahrain, and Windsor Great Park. The film is set to be released in the United States on December 18, 2026, as part of Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.