Will Doctor Strange be the multiverse’s savior, or its downfall?
There are rumors circulating that a third Doctor Strange film may be in the works, and if these speculations are true, it could delve into Stephen Strange’s role in the destruction of the multiverse. These rumors suggest that the upcoming film will introduce a new multiversal sect that poses a threat to the existence of multiple universes.
According to online sources, the third Doctor Strange film might partially adapt the Marvel comic story, Time Runs Out, written by Jonathan Hickman and illustrated by Stefano Caselli. This story follows the Avengers, along with various other Marvel agencies and groups, as they work together to prevent the annihilation of the multiverse. The events in this story lead into Secret Wars, leading some to believe that this film will serve as a precursor to the final Avengers film of the current Multiverse Saga.
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we saw the aftermath of the multiverse’s existence being revealed through the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and WandaVision. It became clear that Doctor Strange had the power, albeit accidentally, to bring different universes together. While he managed to fix the spell that caused the merging of the Spider-Verse with Earth-616, it had unintended consequences that even Strange struggled to comprehend.
The sequel film took us on a journey across the multiverse, exploring different versions of Earth and revealing that Strange was not always the hero but often part of the problem. In Earth-838, Christine Palmer warns Strange that he is one of the biggest threats to the multiverse, hinting at a deeper exploration of this idea in the third film. The post-credits scene in Multiverse of Madness shows Strange being confronted by Clea, an as-yet-unknown character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who holds him responsible for causing an incursion and promises to fix it.
This sets up the intriguing premise that Doctor Strange could either be the downfall or the savior of the multiverse. It also suggests the introduction of The Black Priests, a multiverse organization that Clea is a part of. The possibility of another Doctor Strange film gains weight given the rumors of Benedict Cumberbatch’s return to the MCU.
The rumor of the film adapting elements from Time Runs Out comes from a source called The Cosmic Circus. While the entire comic storyline may not be replicated in the film, certain plot points could be woven into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Time Runs Out contains themes that we have already seen in the MCU, such as Tony Stark and Steve Rogers clashing with each other and a looming existential threat. These concepts were integrated into films like Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. The central focus of the story is the decay of the multiverse, and various heroes from different organizations, including Doctor Strange leading The Black Priests, strive to uncover the root cause of this decay.
As the clock ticks and the last two universes, Earth-616 and Earth-1610, face imminent destruction, characters like Stark and Rogers continue their conflict, while Reed Rogers attempts to save a select few from this cataclysmic event. The villains in Time Runs Out are The Beyonders, a race from beyond the multiverse. However, it is possible that the MCU may replace them with Kang the Conqueror, who is currently a significant focus in the ongoing saga.
According to The Cosmic Circus, the next Doctor Strange film may position Stephen Strange as one of the common factors leading to the downfall of the multiverse. The film is rumored to set the stage for the final two Avengers films of the current saga. However, it should be noted that these rumors were discussed prior to any potential strikes happening, and it is entirely possible that there could be changes and rewrites once the writers resume their work.
With the previous Infinity Saga culminating in the semi-destruction and subsequent revival of the universe, it is not far-fetched to consider a similar narrative arc playing out on a larger scale, encompassing the entire multiverse. While we cannot conclusively say how the story will unfold, given Doctor Strange’s consistent interference with the multiverse, it seems plausible that the character’s actions will have lasting consequences.
As fans eagerly await more information on the next Doctor Strange film, one thing is clear – the multiverse is in jeopardy, and it is up to Stephen Strange to determine whether he will be its savior or its downfall.
Please Note: This article is based on rumors and speculations and should be taken with a grain of salt. The information provided is subject to change as the film develops further.
