Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans have been clamoring for information about the cast and cast of Benedict Cumberbatch’s upcoming solo adventure Doctor Strange 3 now that 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is in the rearview mirror.
Benedict’s Doctor Strange has traveled a lot in the MCU. It wasn’t until 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier that he battled Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, and the former Sorcerer Supreme showed no signs of slowing down in his tenure in the MCU.
The last time viewers saw him, he was using his dark variant to open his third eye.
But when will this fictional prequel be available? Who will participate? What will this exciting journey look like ahead?
When can Doctor Strange 3 come out?
Doctor Strange 3 has yet to be formally confirmed or even reported/rumored by Marvel Studios.
However, if/when it appears on the schedule, it could land some coveted currently unnamed spots on the studio’s schedule. Those slots begin on February 12, 2026, four years after the Multiverse of Madness, though the equally unconfirmed Shang-Chi 2 is another option for this slot.
Looking ahead, Doctor Strange 3 could release on July 24, 2026, or possibly November 6, 2026. Both potential release dates are for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which has been pushed back to May 1, 2026, and the Consequences of this supposed multiverse conflict could be explored in the Doctor Strange trilogy.
Speaking of delays, a possible Doctor Strange 3 was widely believed to come before The Kong Dynasty before Marvel Studios announced a significant delay for all of its future theatrical releases.
This change could mean big changes to the three-quarter story, but in the meantime, casting speculation could run rampant.
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Who Will Reappear in Doctor Strange 3?
With MCU veteran Elizabeth Olsen and soon-to-be Young Avengers actress Xochitl Gomez joining Doctor Strange’s regular team in Multiverse of Madness, it’s a safe bet that old and popular names will collide in Doctor Strange 3.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange
The moment for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange torch hasn’t passed, so it’s almost certain that he’ll be donning the levitation cloak again.
Odd may be on the verge of death after meeting the Scarlet Witch through a dream. When he returns to the big screen, viewers will often find him dealing with the aftermath of Glee’s alleged intrusion or the presumably less tragic events of The Kong Dynasty.
2. Charlize Theron – Clea
Speaking of Clea, Charlize Theron made an unexpected MCU debut in the Doctor Strange: The Multiverse of Madness post-credits sequence, paving the way for a bright future with Marvel Studios. By Michael Waldron, author of Multiverse of Madness
Glee is defined as “Doctor Strange’s ideal love” by Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron, and after getting married in Doctor Strange 2, Christine Palmer can finally be confirmed in Stefan’s past.
3. Rachel McAdams – Christine Palmer
But don’t discount it yet. Rachel McAdams may return as Christine Palmer, despite being married to someone else in the MCU.
McAdams suggested that her character’s journey “must continue.” Who can tell? She maybe she had time to meet some of Stephen’s friends.
4. Benedict Wong-Wong
Is he still a friend after stealing Doctor Strange’s work? Either way, fan favorite Benedict Wong could be the second sure thing about Doctor Strange 3 after the main character.
Wong has been seen throughout the MCU. After appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law on Disney+, new wizard Surbham does some explaining and breaks Abomination out of prison (again).
5. Xochitl Gomez – America Chavez
Xochitl Gomez resurrected America Chavez in 2022’s Multiverse of Madness, sparking the Young Avengers project mythos, with Chavez last practicing the Mystic Arts under the tutelage of Kamar-Dajil Wong.
If he is invited back, Gomez would probably say yes, as he said he would like to see his Wong-like character move forward when and where in the MCU.
6. Chiwetel Ejiofor – Baron Mordo
Baron Mordo is a multiverse ally in the Multiverse of Madness and part of the Illuminati rather than a villain, as mentioned in the 2016 Doctor Strange post-credits sequence.
Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Doctor Strange 3 cameo could be easily integrated, given audiences still don’t know where the MCU variant of him is hiding, going back to the aforementioned post-credits moment.
7. Elizabeth Olsen – Wanda Maximoff (Possible)
Hardly anyone would be surprised if Elizabeth Olson’s Scarlet Witch reappears after succumbing to the ruins of Mount Wundagor.
Olsen is sure to appear in other MCU projects though, including the upcoming Disney+ series Agatha: Coven of Chaos and Vision Quest.
Is Dormammu Going to Be the Villain in Doctor Strange 3?
While having the Scarlet Witch as his main antagonist is hard to beat, Doctor Strange has the power to reintroduce Dormammu into the fray in a much bigger way.
In Marvel Comics, Theron’s Glee is most closely related to Dormammu, being her niece. In Dark Strange 2’s mid-credits sequence, the Dark Dimension, the home of Dormammu, is seen once more.
With that being said, it’s easy to overlook how simple Dormammu is to cast. Benedict Cumberbatch has already played him, so Marvel Studios will no doubt save money by going down that route.
How Will Doctor Strange 3 Play Out?
The existence of the multiverse itself provided a lot of potential for the story, and the first post-credits sequence of the Multiverse of Madness threw the doors wide open for Doctor Strange 3.
The lead character’s actor said that Doctor Strange 2 set him up for a “very exciting future” and that he’s still not tired of the role.
In the first place, the fact that Incursion Clay was mentioned and the broom was placed to help Stephen Strange could and probably will be addressed in Doctor Strange 3. As this idea is explored in more detail and shown in other films, Intrusions can also cool down.
Following the release of Doctor Strange 2, Cumberbatch said that his character was now “passing into a new time and a new adventure”.
When Stephen is confronted with the aforementioned intrusion, he gets a close-up of himself, including a third eye on his forehead staring back at him.
Although he did what he had to do to defeat Wanda, Stephen will undoubtedly suffer the consequences of his actions; A key moment in his character’s journey is when he must face the dire consequences of dream walking among the dead.
Moving on to another strange character, Wanda Maximoff could be in trouble if she returns to Doctor Strange 3. If she thought Westview was terrible, imagine how close the Multiverse came to being destroyed.
The passing of the staff hasn’t happened yet, but at least four years are expected to pass between Doctor Strange 2 and Doctor Strange 3, and America Chavez’s Qamar-Taj training may have helped her a lot during that time. Will Gomez’s admirers consider her a future witch?
Director of Doctor Strange 3?
Scott Derrickson, the original director of Doctor Strange, and Sam Raimi, a recent addition to the MCU and a veteran of comic book movies, are the two candidates for volume three. Marvel Studios seems to stick with established directors in this situation.
Multiverse of Madness was originally directed by Derrickson, but he left the project due to conflicts with Raimi, who took over. Now, assuming Doctor Strange 3 is approved, it’s equally likely that the two will return.
In January 2023, a report circulated that Derrickson might be back on the Doctor Strange train.
Two months later, according to industry insider Jeff Sneider, Raimi was reportedly planning a comeback.
With Multiverse of Madness, Raimi takes a horror direction that the general public seems to enjoy; However, fans can also be excited for Derrickson’s return to form. It is a game for anyone.
Disney+ now has Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to stream. No word on Doctor Strange 3 yet.
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