The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is currently in Phase Five, marking the second chapter of its post-Avengers: Endgame storyline, known as the Multiverse Saga. Marvel Studios, under The Walt Disney Company, is expanding its narrative by introducing a variety of superhero teams beyond the core Avengers.
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During San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Kevin Feige revealed plans for the MCU to bring in specialized teams capable of handling a diverse range of threats, including cosmic, supernatural, and street-level challenges.
Leading the street-level narratives are Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil, now positioned as central figures in this grounded branch of the MCU.
The supernatural-level aspect of the MCU, however, is set to be something else entirely.
The MCU’s “supernatural-level” team is speculated to introduce a United Kingdom (UK) based Avengers team, likely revolving around the supernatural-themed Midnight Suns/Midnight Sons team from Marvel Comics.
Potential members of this Midnight Suns supernatural hero team include Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and her coven, Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Sorceress Jennifer Kale (Sasheer Zamata), Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone) and Alice Wu Gulliver (Ali Ahn) who first appeared in the WandaVision (2021) sequel Agatha All Along (2024).
Mahershala Ali’s Blade/Eric Brooks (rebooted from Wesley Snipes’ 1990s portrayal) will likely join the team, alongside Kit Harington’s Black Knight/Dane Whitman. There are also rumors of Ghost Rider, possibly featuring Nicolas Cage reprising his role as Johnny Blaze from the 2007 Ghost Rider film.
In Marvel Comics, Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange), portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch in the MCU, also eventually joins the team.
What Will Doctor Strange 3 Look Like in the MCU?
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According to known insider Jeff Sneider (via The Insneider), it appears that Disney and Kevin Feige-led Marvel Studios are ready to give Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange a third film in the franchise. As Sneider points out, the movie just makes financial sense:
Scott Derrickson directed the first Doctor Strange movie, which grossed $677 million worldwide. Raimi’s 2022 sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness grossed $955 million worldwide.
Translation? Marvel is going to make more Doctor Strange movies. Because if it ain’t broke… don’t fix it.
Despite Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi signing on to the horror thriller Send Help, Marvel Studios is allegedly “definitely” bringing Raimi back to the MCU, seeing as he also “seemed to enjoy working with Marvel, as opposed to other filmmakers who have struggled to adapt to the studio’s process.”
Sneider also adds that Marvel’s approach with the Doctor Strange franchise definitely seems to be similar to one of their first major franchise successes — the Captain America franchise, and the Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) talent, directors the Russo brothers Joe Russo and Anthony Russo:
Raimi came in, hit his marks, and delivered nearly $300 million more than the first film, which is an impressive feat, and similar to how the Russo brothers grew the Captain America franchise following Joe Johnston’s first film.
The (Alleged) Director Behind Doctor Strange 3
Sam Raimi’s history with Marvel is most notably tied to his groundbreaking Spider-Man trilogy, which began with Spider-Man (2002), starring Tobey Maguire. Raimi’s films, including Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007), were instrumental in shaping the modern superhero genre, blending action, humor, and emotional depth while introducing iconic characters like the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus.
After a long hiatus from Marvel, Raimi returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), bringing his signature horror-infused style to the MCU’s exploration of alternate realities.
Seeing as one of the biggest issues fans and critics have with Multiverse of Madness being Michael Waldron’s script and neglect of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch’s (Elizabeth Olsen) story in WandaVision, perhaps a different writing team would give Raimi the edge he needs and fully strike gold with Doctor Strange 3.
Do you think Raimi should return for Doctor Strange 3? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
