Benedict Cumberbatch just gave us an Avengers 4 theory based off of one phrase

Benedict Cumberbatch shared what it was like to be a part of Avengers: Infinity War, but one small answer has us thinking about how it relates to Avengers 4.

We’re about to enter a new phase in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, one made up of new superheroes and new stories to tell. But before that, we have to close an old chapter of this universe with Avengers 4, a movie no one knows that much about, and a movie where even its celebrities have to remain quiet about what’s going on.

And for someone with supposedly a big role moving forward in the MCU, Benedict Cumberbatch was (of course) pretty mum about what’s next for Doctor Strange after Infinity War. Cumberbatch appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where Fallon pressed him about the fate of Strange’s character. But, like with all the other stars, there was only so much he could say.

“I’m dust, baby. I’m out there. I’m in the ether,” Cumberbatch said keeping it cool. He continued by joking: “I’m probably part of your food chain. I’m in your stomach somewhere.”

One thing to point out about this answer (although this is probably pushing it), is that Cumberbatch mentions that his character is “out in the ether.” While it is a common expression, we can’t help but draw the connection between his character vanishing and the mysterious Aether that appeared in Thor: The Dark World that was manifested through the Reality Stone. Remember when Jane Foster disappeared and was transported to an entirely different realm due to Aether? Maybe, just maybe, the Aether could act as a way of transporting the lost souls to some other location.

Some people think the Soul Stone could be one of the places where the snapped away people have gone, but literally having them in the Aether might not be such a bad theory either. You’re on to something here, Cumberbatch.

Regardless of if this crackpot theory is right or not, Fallon wasn’t quite satisfied with the actor’s answer. Fallon then asked if there was anything Marvel could do to bring Doctor Strange back, and Cumberbatch responded with a shrug and a sound that could only be described as “maybe I will; maybe I won’t.”

This act isn’t fooling everyone, though. Fans who stay up to date with the MCU (or pretty much anyone who’s seen Infinity War, really) know that Doctor Strange will return. He’s set to star in Doctor Strange 2 sometime in 2021, and we’ll more than likely see him in more Avengers team-up movies down the line.

Thinking back on Infinity War during the interview, Cumberbatch called the whole experience amazing, saying: “It’s ludacris. It just gets sort of giddy and unreal to me.”

“Just being part of that franchise is a kick, let alone the people I got to have screen time with and the story that I was part of,” he went on say. “It was really extraordinary to do. And even more weird to see it roll out and get that kind of reception.”

You can watch Benedict Cumberbatch’s interview with Jimmy Fallon to see what he has to say about the Avengers in the clip below. And keep watching to hear how he feels about his latest movie, The Grinch:

Really, the Aether could honestly be a good candidate for where the lost souls have gone. But then again, he was probably just using it as a turn of phrase, not literally meaning that’s where the souls ended up. Cumberbatch, if you’re out there, will you let us know if we’re hot or cold on this one?