The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could be building towards a critical moment with Doctor Strange that mirrors one of the most iconic scenes from Avengers: Infinity War. In that film, Doctor Strange peers into the future and witnesses millions of possible outcomes for the Avengers’ battle with Thanos. In all but one, Thanos is victorious. As we know, Thanos does succeed, wiping out half the universe with the snap. However, before Doctor Strange turns to dust, he tells Tony Stark, “It was the only way.” Now, as the MCU progresses through the Multiverse Saga, we might be heading toward a similar moment in Avengers: Doomsday. The first signs of this might begin with Doctor Strange 3.
Sam Raimi’s Return as Director?
Insider Jeff Sneider has reported that Sam Raimi, who directed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is close to finalizing a deal to return for Doctor Strange 3. According to Sneider, Marvel Studios and Raimi are nearing an agreement that would see Raimi helm the next chapter in Doctor Strange’s story. This news comes shortly after insider My Time to Shine Hello revealed that Raimi, alongside directors Justin Benson and Aaron Morehead, were contenders to direct both Doctor Strange 3 and the highly anticipated Midnight Suns project.
The prospect of Raimi’s return has generated excitement among fans. Many comments online reflect a positive response, particularly from those who enjoyed Multiverse of Madness. While that film did receive mixed reviews, it’s clear that a sizable portion of the fanbase appreciated Raimi’s unique take. If you were a fan of Multiverse of Madness, how do you feel about Raimi possibly returning? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or twitter.
Why Raimi’s Return Would Be a Good Move for the MCU
There’s a lot to be excited about with Sam Raimi’s potential return. For starters, continuity is critical in long-running franchises like the MCU, and having the same director return helps ensure consistency. Raimi stepping in to direct Doctor Strange 3 could set it up to be one of the most important movies in the entire Multiverse Saga, especially given its proximity to the two upcoming Avengers films.
I also believe this sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Doctor Doom, and possibly the return of the Scarlet Witch. Rumors of Wanda Maximoff’s return have been circulating, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Doctor Strange 3 ties her back into the larger MCU storyline. We’ll get into those details a bit later.
Raimi’s involvement is also promising for another reason. He didn’t have an ideal situation when he directed Multiverse of Madness. Scott Derrickson, the original director of Doctor Strange, had written a script for the sequel, but creative differences led to his departure. This left Raimi to work with a script that had already been reworked by Michael Waldron. Despite these challenges, Raimi managed to create a visually distinctive and enjoyable film. Now, with Raimi involved from the start of Doctor Strange 3, the movie has the potential to surpass its predecessor in both storytelling and continuity.
Picking Up Where We Left Off in Doctor Strange 2
Doctor Strange 3 is expected to pick up right where Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness left off, particularly with the post-credits scene. In that scene, Clea approaches Doctor Strange and informs him that his actions have caused an incursion. She tells him he must help fix it, and without hesitation, Doctor Strange follows her into what promises to be another multiversal adventure. Comic book readers know that Clea eventually becomes Doctor Strange’s wife, which could foreshadow what’s in store for their MCU counterparts.
One important thing to note is that Doctor Strange 3 is likely to be released before Avengers: Doomsday. This is significant because fans need to see how the events between Doctor Strange and Clea unfold before the larger MCU story moves forward into Doomsday. There were rumors that Shang-Chi 2 would be the final film before Avengers: Doomsday, but this would have created some narrative complications. Seeing Doctor Strange’s next steps before Doomsday will ensure the story flows logically.
The MCU’s Next “Infinity War” Moment?
While it remains to be seen whether Doctor Strange will be directly involved in stopping Doom, I believe that Doctor Strange 3 could deliver a moment on par with his critical decision in Infinity War. Since the start of Phase 4, fans have expressed frustration with the MCU’s seeming lack of connectivity. Many projects have only loosely touched on the Multiverse and variants, which are expected to play a central role in upcoming films like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Take Spider-Man: No Way Home as an example. While it dealt with multiversal elements, it didn’t fully dive into the concept of incursions, which are now crucial to the Multiverse Saga. Even though there were connections between Spider-Man’s world and Doctor Strange’s spells, the storyline didn’t truly delve into the bigger threat that looms over the MCU.
However, recent leaks about Captain America: Brave New World suggest that Marvel is beginning to address this issue. According to insider Daniel RPK, reshoots were done for the film to better tie its events into the broader Multiverse narrative. This intentional focus on connectivity is something we can expect to see more of in Doctor Strange 3, where the stakes will be higher, and the threat to the Multiverse will feel more immediate than ever.
Drawing from the “Time Runs Out” Comic Storyline
According to Alex Perez from The Cosmic Circus, Doctor Strange 3 could borrow heavily from the Time Runs Out storyline in the comics. This storyline involves Doctor Doom, the Black Priests, and the Black Swans. Doom is revealed to be behind many of the incursions happening in the Multiverse, as he attempts to stop a greater threat—the Beyonders—by destroying universes. Initially, Doom’s actions seem villainous, but he later reveals that they were necessary to prevent an even greater catastrophe.
I believe that Doctor Strange 3 could follow a similar arc. Clea believes that Doctor Strange caused an incursion, and while he may have contributed to the chaos in Multiverse of Madness, I think the movie will reveal that someone else is behind the more serious incursions—likely Doctor Doom.
In the comics, Doom and his Black Swans kill Molecule Men in various universes to prevent the Beyonders’ multiversal bombs from detonating. At some point, Doctor Strange realizes that Doom’s actions, while destructive, are necessary to save the Multiverse. He eventually agrees with Doom’s plan, seeing that it’s the only way to save at least one universe from total annihilation. I think this moral dilemma could form the heart of Doctor Strange 3, leading into Avengers: Doomsday.
Scarlet Witch’s Return?
Rumors of the Scarlet Witch’s return have been gaining momentum, with insiders like Daniel RPK and My Time to Shine Hello confirming that Marvel Studios has plans for Wanda Maximoff. A solo Scarlet Witch project is rumored to be in development, and it’s also possible that she could make an appearance in Doctor Strange 3.
Given the immense power Wanda displayed in Multiverse of Madness, it wouldn’t be surprising if Doctor Strange seeks her help in dealing with the threat of Doom. There’s also speculation that her resurrection might be teased in the upcoming Agatha: Coven of Chaos series. If this is true, bringing Wanda back into the fold for the Multiverse Saga could be easier than fans might expect.
Preparing for the MCU’s Next Big Moment
Doctor Strange 3 is shaping up to be one of the most important films in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. With the possibility of Sam Raimi returning as director and the storyline pulling from major comic arcs like “Time Runs Out,” fans can expect this movie to raise the stakes in the Multiverse.
Whether it’s Doctor Strange battling to stop Doom or realizing that destruction is necessary to save a universe, the film could deliver a defining moment for the MCU, similar to the emotional impact of Infinity War. As we approach Avengers: Doomsday, Doctor Strange 3 is likely to set the stage for the saga’s most intense conflicts, with Doctor Strange once again at the center of the MCU’s efforts to save reality.
