Doctor Strange in the MCU: A Comprehensive Breakdown of His Journey and What Lies Ahead in Doctor Strange 3

Since his debut in 2016, Doctor Stephen Strange, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, has become a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), bringing mysticism, multiversal intrigue, and unparalleled visual spectacle to the franchise. From his solo films to key appearances across the MCU, Strange’s arc has evolved from a self-absorbed surgeon to a cosmic protector grappling with the consequences of his actions. This article dives deep into the first two Doctor Strange films, his other MCU appearances, and what Doctor Strange 3 might bring to the table, based on confirmed details, comic inspirations, and fan speculation.

Doctor Strange (2016): The Origin of the Master of the Mystic Arts

Plot and Themes

Doctor Strange (2016), directed by Scott Derrickson, introduced Stephen Strange as a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon whose life unravels after a car accident leaves his hands shattered. Desperate for a cure, he travels to Kamar-Taj, where he encounters the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and learns the mystic arts. The film follows Strange’s transformation into a sorcerer as he battles Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), a rogue disciple seeking to summon Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension, to consume Earth.

The movie explores themes of humility, sacrifice, and the cost of power. Strange’s journey from ego-driven surgeon to selfless hero is compelling, highlighted by his clever use of the Time Stone to trap Dormammu in a time loop, forcing the cosmic entity to retreat. The film’s visual style, with its reality-bending sequences inspired by Steve Ditko’s psychedelic comic art, set a new standard for MCU spectacle, earning praise for its innovative CGI.

Key Characters

• Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange: Cumberbatch’s portrayal captures Strange’s wit, arrogance, and eventual growth, making him a standout MCU lead.

• Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One: Controversial casting aside, Swinton’s enigmatic performance anchors Strange’s training.

• Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo: A fellow sorcerer whose rigid moral code foreshadows his eventual turn against Strange.

• Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer: Strange’s former colleague and love interest, grounding his human side.

• Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius: A compelling but underdeveloped villain seeking eternal life through Dormammu.

• Benedict Wong as Wong: The stoic librarian who becomes Strange’s ally and later the Sorcerer Supreme.

Impact and Reception

Doctor Strange grossed $677.8 million worldwide on a $165 million budget, proving the viability of lesser-known Marvel characters. Critics praised its visuals and Cumberbatch’s performance but noted the formulaic origin story and thin villain. The film established Strange as the MCU’s mystical anchor, introducing the Time Stone and setting up the multiverse with Mordo’s post-credits vow to eliminate “too many sorcerers.”

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022): A Dive into the Multiverse

Plot and Themes

Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) sees Strange navigating the multiverse after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. The story introduces America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a teenager with the power to travel between universes. Strange teams up with Wong and Chavez to stop a mysterious threat revealed to be Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), corrupted by the Darkhold and seeking to reunite with her children across realities.

The film leans into horror elements, with Raimi’s signature style evident in sequences like Wanda’s dreamwalking and the zombie Strange variant. It explores themes of grief, temptation, and the moral cost of power, as Strange grapples with his own capacity for darkness, culminating in his use of the Darkhold to dreamwalk and the emergence of a third eye, hinting at corruption. The multiverse allows for cameos from the Illuminati, including John Krasinski as Reed Richards and Patrick Stewart as Professor X, though their brief appearance sparked mixed reactions.

Key Characters

• Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange: Cumberbatch plays multiple variants, showcasing Strange’s complexity across realities.

• Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch: A tragic antagonist whose grief-driven rampage steals the show.

• Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez: A newcomer with potential, though her role felt underdeveloped to some.

• Benedict Wong as Wong: Now Sorcerer Supreme, Wong’s leadership and humor solidify his fan-favorite status.

• Charlize Theron as Clea: Introduced in the post-credits scene, hinting at a major role in Doctor Strange 3.

Impact and Reception

Multiverse of Madness earned $955.8 million globally on a $200 million budget, making it one of 2022’s top films. Critics lauded Raimi’s direction and Olsen’s performance but criticized the convoluted plot and underused multiverse potential. The film expanded the MCU’s multiversal stakes, introducing incursions—collisions between universes—and setting up Clea’s role in the Dark Dimension.

Doctor Strange’s Other MCU Appearances

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Strange makes a brief but memorable appearance in Thor: Ragnarok, confronting Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Using his mystic powers, he portals Thor around and traps Loki in a falling loop, showcasing his authority as a protector of Earth. The scene establishes Strange’s role in the larger MCU, setting up his involvement in Avengers: Infinity War.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

In Infinity War, Strange is a key player, wielding the Time Stone against Thanos (Josh Brolin). He teams up with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Peter Parker (Tom Holland), and the Guardians of the Galaxy on Titan, using the Time Stone to view 14,000,605 possible futures, identifying only one where they defeat Thanos. His decision to surrender the Time Stone to save Stark’s life is a pivotal moment, reflecting his strategic foresight. Strange’s “snapping” in the Blip underscores his sacrifice.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Strange returns in Endgame, orchestrating the final battle against Thanos. He portals in the resurrected heroes and signals to Stark that this is the one winning future, indirectly enabling Stark’s sacrifice. His limited screen time still highlights his cosmic perspective and leadership among the Avengers.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

In No Way Home, Strange aids Peter Parker (Tom Holland) by casting a spell to make the world forget Peter is Spider-Man, inadvertently fracturing the multiverse and pulling in villains like Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). His role explores his hubris, as Wong warns against tampering with reality. Strange’s spell-casting and mentorship of Peter solidify his status as a multiversal linchpin.

What If…? (2021)

In the animated What If…? series, Strange appears in Episode 4 as Doctor Strange Supreme, a variant who becomes obsessed with saving Christine Palmer, leading to the destruction of his universe. This dark exploration of Strange’s potential for self-destruction foreshadows his moral struggles in Multiverse of Madness.

What Doctor Strange 3 Might Bring

Development and Creative Team

Doctor Strange 3 is in active development, with Sam Raimi confirmed to direct as of October 9, 2024. Benedict Cumberbatch has teased ongoing discussions with Marvel about the film’s direction, emphasizing a focus on evolving Strange’s character through comic-inspired lore. While no writer has been confirmed, the film is expected to build on the multiversal and mystical elements of its predecessors, with Raimi’s horror-infused style likely to return.

Potential Plot and Comic Inspirations

The post-credits scene of Multiverse of Madness sets up Doctor Strange 3 with Charlize Theron’s Clea warning Strange about an incursion he caused, pulling him into the Dark Dimension. The film is likely to adapt elements of the Time Runs Out storyline from Marvel Comics, which deals with multiversal incursions and leads into Secret Wars. Strange and Clea may work to prevent the collapse of realities, potentially facing Dormammu again, given his ties to the Dark Dimension.

The film could explore Strange’s corruption from using the Darkhold, with his third eye symbolizing a darker path. Comic-inspired characters like the Black Priests, a group tied to incursions, or Nightmare, a dream-dimension villain, might appear. The narrative may also address Wanda’s fate, as Elizabeth Olsen has expressed openness to returning, and her death in Multiverse of Madness remains ambiguous.

Expected Cast

• Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange: Central to the story, grappling with his role in multiversal chaos.

• Charlize Theron as Clea: A major player, potentially as Strange’s ally and love interest, rooted in their comic romance.

• Benedict Wong as Wong: The Sorcerer Supreme, providing guidance and humor.

• Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez: Likely continuing her multiversal journey.

• Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo: His vendetta against Strange could resurface.

• Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff (possible): Her return would tie into unresolved WandaVision threads.

Release and MCU Connections

While no official release date is confirmed, speculation points to November 6, 2026, or a 2027 slot, aligning with Marvel’s Phase 6 timeline. Filming may begin in late 2025 or early 2026, following The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025) and Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026). The film is expected to set up Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027), with Strange playing a central role in the latter, as confirmed by Cumberbatch.

Doctor Strange 3 will likely deepen the MCU’s multiversal saga, exploring incursions and the Dark Dimension’s role in cosmic stability. Crossovers with characters from Shang-Chi 2 or Fantastic Four are possible, especially if Doctor Doom emerges as a key antagonist. Fans hope for a return to the mind-bending visuals of the first film, paired with Raimi’s bold direction and a deeper exploration of Strange’s moral complexity.

Fan Expectations

Fans on platforms like Reddit and X are eager for Doctor Strange 3 to resolve Multiverse of Madness’s cliffhangers, particularly Clea’s introduction and Wanda’s fate. There’s strong interest in seeing the Dark Dimension fully realized, with more comic-accurate depictions of Clea and Dormammu. Some hope for a horror-heavy tone, leveraging Raimi’s strengths, while others want a focus on Strange’s personal growth, addressing his hubris and the consequences of his multiversal tampering.

Conclusion

Doctor Strange’s MCU journey has been a blend of mysticism, sacrifice, and multiversal chaos, from his origin in Doctor Strange to his pivotal roles in Infinity War, Endgame, and No Way Home. Multiverse of Madness expanded his scope, introducing new allies and threats, while setting up Doctor Strange 3 as a critical chapter in the Multiverse Saga. With Sam Raimi directing, Benedict Cumberbatch leading, and a story poised to explore the Dark Dimension and incursions, Doctor Strange 3 promises to be a visually stunning, narratively ambitious addition to the MCU. Stay tuned for Marvel’s official announcements, and catch up on Strange’s journey on Disney+.