The saga of Stephen Strange is yet to be over. The story which began with a brilliant yet cynical man with a shattered body and soul grew into one of the favorite chapters under the Marvel cinematic umbrella. Now, the studio looks to expand on that story with a third installment, and the rumor is Doctor Strange 2 director, Sam Raimi, is the popular choice for helming the threequel.
With Benedict Cumberbatch last appearing in the multiversal film, the wizard might play an important role in the events to come, given the next arc greatly depends on the events stretching across the Multiverse.
Sam Raimi Reportedly Returning to Direct Doctor Strange 3
The director of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness not only expanded on the life of the eponymous Doctor Strange but also gave a glimpse into the chaotic state of the universe after the events of Endgame, across multiple realities. Sam Raimi’s role in making that vision come true did pan out in the most comic-fuelled ambition adapted into a cinematic project, but it also divided the viewers who have a penchant for the kind of grim and slow-burn narrative that doesn’t shy away from exploring the messy aspects of a human tragedy.
Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange 2 was a bit too expansive in its storytelling, something that could have been stretched into a miniseries or a duology even. But the detailed narrative condensed into a 2-hour plot resulted in the lack of suspense, story-building, and the catharsis it demanded in the third act. As such, fans have been divisive about the rumors about Sam Raimi’s return, even though an equal half are already celebrating the new reports.
The story of the wizard who could see all the possible futures across all time has lost the artifact that helped him channel his expansive array of powers. But losing the Time Stone has little to do with what comes next. The story of the Infinity Stones is over, across multiple timelines; and the time-traveling, world-conquering Kang is now the big bad. The presence of Doctor Strange, along with his dimension-hopping protégé, America Chavez, is now at its most imminent.
Also read: Doctor Strange 3: Every Potential Member Who Could Become the New Potential Member of Earth-838
It would make sense then that there are rumblings about a possible Doctor Strange 3 happening around the corner to expand the arc of the young superhero into the narrative before the fight comes to a head in The Kang Dynasty.
Is Doctor Strange 3 Necessary Before The Kang Dynasty?
The Multiversal Saga is not a narrative stretched out over 11 years in the making. The era of genesis has already come and gone and the rest to come is founded upon the stories and achievements of the originals. With Kevin Feige’s MCU Phase Five about to begin, this is going to be the boldest run yet, considering how the events and character arcs in the narratives spanning 2024 and 2025 will define the grand finale, i.e. The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. But there is one more thing left to do before Marvel can rush into its Phase Six conclusion.
![Incursion triggers Secret Wars [New Avengers: Incursion comics]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/10014252/New-Avengers-Incursion-comic-the-event-which-triggers-Secret-Wars.jpeg)
The fast-tracking of the new Doctor Strange threequel could be related to the singular key event that leads to the Secret Wars. In the comics, the event is known as the “Multiverse Incursion” which has been alluded to multiple times in the Infinity Saga’s two-part conclusion and in Phase Four’s Doctor Strange 2.
With the world-colliding event set to occur before Avengers 5, the plot of the film could then directly segue into the creation of Battleworld and the final showdown. By then, Victor von Doom, who is a crucial part of the Incursion event and its ensuing chaos, will most likely gain a foothold in the MCU, given Fantastic Four is on the way. These theories are yet to be confirmed.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Twitter
