Doctor Stephen Vincent Strangeis asuperheroportrayed byBenedict Cumberbatchin theMarvel Cinematic Universe(MCU)media franchise—based on theMarvel Comicscharacterof the same name,commonly referred to by hisacademic title.Initially depicted as an intelligent and arrogant neurosurgeon, Strange experiences a career-ending car accident. In his search to repair his damaged hands, he discovers magic fromKamar-Taj.He becomes a Master of the Mystic Arts, using his newfound powers to protect the Earth from various threats.
| Stephen Strange | |
|---|---|
| Marvel Cinematic Universecharacter | |
 Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | |
| First appearance | Doctor Strange(2016) |
| Based on | |
| Adapted by | |
| Portrayed by | Benedict Cumberbatch |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Stephen Vincent Strange |
| Alias | Doctor Strange |
| Title |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Affiliation |
|
| Weapon | |
| Significantother | Christine Palmer(ex-girlfriend) |
| Home | Sanctum Sanctorum, New York City |
| Nationality | American |
Strange allies with theAvengersandGuardians of the Galaxyto combatThanos,before allowing Thanos to initiatethe Blip,himself among its victims, to ensure their ultimate victory five years later upon being restored to life. On his return, Strange remains the appointed Guardian of theNew York Sanctum,but finds thatWonghas become Sorcerer Supreme, a position Strange himself was in the process of inheriting from theAncient Oneprior to being Blipped. Strange later faces several problems from the newly-establishedmultiverse,including a rift between realities created by an interrupted attempt to erase everyone's knowledge ofPeter Parker's secret identity asSpider-Manwhich had been caused byMysterio;and aDarkhold-corruptedWanda Maximoff,whom he must stop from acquiringAmerica Chavez's ability to traverse the multiverse for her own goals.
The character is one of the central figures of the MCU, having appeared in six films as of 2024[update].Cumberbatch has received acclaim for his performance as Strange and was nominated forseveral awards—including Critics' Choice Award nominations in 2016 and 2023.Alternate versionsof Strange from the multiverse appear in the animated seriesWhat If...?(2021, 2023) and the filmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness(2022). A notable version inWhat If...?isDoctor Strange Supreme,who accidentally destroys his universe in his efforts to resurrect his version ofChristine Palmer,and later co-founds theGuardians of the Multiversewiththe Watcherto defeat an alternate version ofUltron.Cumberbatch is set to return as the character inAvengers: Doomsday(2026) andAvengers: Secret Wars(2027).
Concept and creation
editThe character of Doctor Strange was originally created in the 1960s. ArtistSteve Ditkoand writerStan Leehave described the character as having been originally the idea of Ditko, who wrote in 2008, "On my own, I brought in to Lee a five-page, penciled story with a page/panel script of my idea of a new, different kind of character for variety in Marvel Comics. My character wound up being named Dr. Strange because he would appear inStrange Tales."[1]In a 1963 letter toJerry Bails,Lee wrote:
Well, we have a new character in the works for Strange Tales (just a 5-page filler named Dr. Strange) Steve Ditko is gonna draw him. It has sort of a black magic theme. The first story is nothing great, but perhaps we can make something of him-- 'twas Steve's idea and I figured we'd give it a chance, although again, we had to rush the first one too much. Little sidelight: Originally decided to call him Mr. Strange, but thought the "Mr." bit too similar toMr. Fantastic– now, however, I remember we had a villain called Dr. Strange just recently in one of our mags, hope it won't be too confusing![2]
Following a 1978 film adaptation also titledDr. Strange,[3]various incarnations of a Doctor Strange film adaptation had been in development since the mid-1980s, untilParamount Picturesacquired the film rights in April 2005 on behalf of Marvel Studios. In the mid-2000s,Kevin Feigehad realized that Marvel still owned the rights to the core characters of theAvengers,which included Strange. Feige, a self-professed "fanboy", envisioned creating a shared universe just as creatorsStan LeeandJack Kirbyhad done with their comic books in the early 1960s.[4]In 2004, David Maisel was hired as chief operating officer of Marvel Studios as he had a plan for the studio to self-finance movies.[5]Marvel entered into anon-recourse debtstructure withMerrill Lynch,under which Marvel got $525 million to make a maximum of 10 movies based on the company's properties over eight years, collateralized by certain movie rights to a total of 10 characters, including Doctor Strange.[6]Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimerwere brought on board in June 2010 to write a screenplay. In June 2014, Derrickson was hired to direct and re-write the film with Spaihts. Cumberbatch was chosen for the eponymous role in December 2014, necessitating a schedule change to work around his other commitments. This gave Derrickson time to work on the script himself, for which he brought Cargill on to help. The film beganprincipal photographyin November 2015 inNepal,before moving to the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, and concluding in New York City in April 2016.
Characterization
edit
In his first feature-length appearance in the MCU, Dr. Strange is a neurosurgeon who, after a car crash that led to a journey of healing, discovers the hidden world of magic andalternate dimensions.Cumberbatch described Strange as arrogant, with the film "about him going from a place where he thinks he knows it all to realizing he knows nothing."[7]He compared the character to the version ofSherlock Holmesthat he portrays inSherlock,calling both characters "intelligent" and having "smatterings of the same colors".[8]The film'smysticismresonated with Cumberbatch, for whomspiritualityhas been important since he spent hisgap yearteaching English at aTibetan Buddhist monasteryinDarjeeling,India.[9][10]Strange's abilities in the film include casting spells with "tongue-twisty fun names", creatingmandalasof light for shields and weapons, and creating portals for quick travel around the world. Strange is also aided by aCloak of Levitationfor flight, and theEye of Agamotto,a relic containing anInfinity Stonethat canmanipulate time.[11][12]Cumberbatch took great care in defining the physical movements and gestures for the spells, knowing that they would be noted and studied by fans.[13]He described these gestures as "balletic" and "very dynamic",[14]and received help withfinger-tuttingmovements from dancer JayFunk.[15]
Later, Strange has become a Master of the Mystic Arts.[16]Markus and McFeely described Strange inInfinity Waras "[ending] up being the reasonable adult in the room" with the "widest perspective available".[17]Aaron Lazarserved as Cumberbatch'sstand-inuntil the latter completed filming onThe Current War(2017).[18]Julian "JayFunk" Daniels once again assisted Cumberbatch with his finger-tutting movements.[19]
InDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,writerMichael Waldroncompared Strange toIndiana Jonesas a hero who can "take a punch", but with the intellect of chefAnthony Bourdain,[20]and added that he is a "great adventure hero you just like to watch kick ass". Waldron hoped to explore what effect the events Strange has gone through in his previous MCU appearances would have on him.[21]Cumberbatch also portrays three alternate versions of the character:[22][23]a seemingly heroic incarnation based on the version of the character from the 2011Defenderscomic book series;[24]the formerSorcerer Supremeof Earth-838 who founded theIlluminati;and a version who has been corrupted by theDarkhold.[25]
Appearances
editFilm
editBenedict Cumberbatch portrays Stephen Strange in the filmsDoctor Strange(2016),Thor: Ragnarok(2017),[26]Avengers: Infinity War(2018),[27]Avengers: Endgame(2019),[28]Spider-Man: No Way Home(2021), andDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness(2022), where he also plays three alternate versions of the character.[29]
Animation
editCumberbatch voices an alternate version of Strange called Doctor Strange Supreme in six episodes of theDisney+seriesWhat If...?(2021): "What If... Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?","What If... Ultron Won?","What If... the Watcher Broke His Oath?","What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?","What If... The Avengers Assembled in 1602? ", and"What If... Strange Supreme Intervened?",as well as a zombie Strange in"What If... Zombies?!".[30][31][32]An alternate version of the character appears in the Disney+ seriesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man(2025), voiced byRobin Atkin Downes.[33][34]Strange, along withSpider-Manand the events ofNo Way Home,are referenced in theSony Pictures AnimationfilmSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023).[35]
Fictional character biography
editEarly life
editAs a child, Stephen Strange plays on a frozen pond with his sister, Donna, who falls through the ice and drowns, causing Strange to lament his inability to save her. He becomes a doctor, and through years of study and practice, hones his skills to a high level.[36]
Becoming a Master of the Mystic Arts
edit
In 2016, Strange is a wealthy, acclaimed but arrogantneurosurgeon,who severely injures his hands in a car crash while en route to a dinner, leaving him unable to operate. Fellow surgeon and former loverChristine Palmertries to help him move on, but Strange ignores her attempts and vainly pursues experimental surgeries to heal his hands, at the cost of his wealth. Strange learns aboutJonathan Pangborn,aparaplegic,who he had refused to treat earlier due to perceiving him having little chance of recovery but had mysteriously regained use of his legs. Pangborn directs Strange toKamar-Taj,where he is rescued from a band of thieves attempting to steal an expensive watch of his and taken in byMordo,a sorcerer under theAncient One.
The Ancient One demonstrates her power to Strange, revealing theastral planeand other dimensions such as the Mirror Dimension. She reluctantly agrees to train Strange, whose arrogance and ambition remind her of renegade sorcererKaecilius,who had recently stolen pages out of a vital book from the Kamar-Taj library. Strange studies under the Ancient One and Mordo, and from ancient books in the library that is now guarded by MasterWong.Strange learns that Earth is protected from threats from other dimensions by a shield generated from three buildings calledSanctums,in New York City, London, and Hong Kong, which are all connected and accessible from Kamar-Taj. Strange uses his impressive memory and progresses quickly, secretly reading the text from which Kaecilius stole pages, learning to bend time with the mysticalEye of Agamotto.Mordo and Wong catch Strange in the act and warn him against breaking the laws of nature, drawing a comparison to Kaecilius' desire foreternal life.After Kaecilius uses the stolen pages to contactDormammuof theDark Dimensionand leads an attack on theNew York Sanctum,killing its guardian, Strange holds off the attackers with the help of theCloak of Levitationuntil Mordo and the Ancient One arrive. Mordo becomes disillusioned with the Ancient One after Strange reveals that the Ancient One has been drawing power from the Dark Dimension to sustain her long life. Kaecilius later mortally wounds the Ancient One and escapes to Hong Kong. Before dying, she tells Strange that he too will have to bend the rules to complement Mordo's steadfast nature to defeat Kaecilius, in addition to making him choose between healing like Pangborn or serving protecting the Earth. Strange and Mordo arrive in Hong Kong to find Wong dead, the Sanctum destroyed, and the Dark Dimension engulfing Earth. Strange uses the Eye to reverse time and save Wong, then enters the Dark Dimension and creates atime looparound himself and Dormammu. After repeatedly killing Strange to no avail, Dormammu finally gives in to Strange's demand that he leave Earth and take Kaecilius and his zealots with him in return for Strange breaking the loop. Strange returns the Eye to Kamar-Taj, and takes up residence in the New York Sanctum to continue his studies and keeps a watchlist of various threats to Earth.
In 2017, Strange learns thatThorandLokihave arrived and traps Loki in a portal while inviting Thor to the New York Sanctum. There he questions Thor's motives for bringing Loki to Earth. Thor explains they are searching for their father, so Strange locatesOdin,releases Loki, and sends the two into a portal toNorway.
Infinity War and resurrection
edit
In 2018, Strange and Wong are talking in the New York Sanctum whenBruce Bannercrash-lands through the roof. He informs Strange and Wong of the imminent threat ofThanos.In response, Strange recruitsTony Starkto help.Ebony MawandCull Obsidian,members of theChildren of Thanos,arrive to retrieve the Time Stone kept by Strange in theEye of Agamotto,and end up drawing the attention ofPeter Parker,who arrives to help. Maw captures Strange, but fails to take the Time Stone due to an enchantment, so he takes him to his spaceship to be tortured until he breaks the spell. However, Stark and Parker infiltrate the ship, kill Maw, and rescue Strange. Landing on the planetTitan,where Maw is supposed to meet with Thanos, the trio meetPeter Quill,Drax the Destroyer,andMantisand together form a plan to combat Thanos once he arrives. While waiting for him, Strange uses the Time Stone to view millions of possible futures, seeing only one in which Thanos loses. The group, along withNebula,fight Thanos and are nearly successful in removing his Infinity Gauntlet with theInfinity Stones,until an enraged Quill unintentionally breaks their hold on him. After a brief duel with Thanos, Strange is defeated while Stark is severely wounded, but is spared when Strange surrenders the Time Stone. Oncethe Blipoccurs, Strange tells Stark there was no other way and disintegrates.
In 2023, Strange is restored to life and he along with Wong and the other Masters of the Mystic Arts transport Parker, the restored Avengers, theGuardians of the Galaxy,theWakandans,theAsgardians,and theRavagersvia portals to the destroyedAvengers Compoundto join the final battle against an alternate Thanos and his army. During the battle, Strange keeps the battlefield from being flooded by the lake and hints to Stark that this is the one future in which they win. After Stark sacrifices himself to defeat alternate Thanos, Strange attends his funeral.
Helping Peter Parker
editIn 2024, much to Strange's disappointment, Wong has assumed the title of Sorcerer Supreme. That fall, Strange is visited by Parker, after his identity as Spider-Man is exposed to the world byQuentin Beck/Mysterio.Strange offers to help and suggests casting the spell called the Runes of Kof-Kol to make the world forget he is Spider-Man, to which he agrees despite Wong's warnings of the spell's danger. The spell backfires when Parker inadvertently distracts Strange by talking while he is performing it and changing the parameters multiple times, tampering with themultiverse,causing people from other realities who know that Parker is Spider-Man to enter Strange's universe, including two alternate versions of Parker (one fromThe Amazing Spider-Manfilm series,and the other from theSam Raimi film series), as well as their adversariesOtto Octavius,Norman Osborn,Flint Marko,Curt Connors,andMax Dillon,and, unbeknownst to both Strange and Parker,Eddie Brockand hisSymbiotecompanionVenom(fromSony's Spider-Man Universe).
Strange apprehends Connors and tasks Parker and his friends,Ned LeedsandMichelle Jones,to retrieve the other visitors. Once the villains have been captured, an annoyed and weary Strange tries to send them back to their home universes using a relic known as The Macchina de Kadavus, but after learning they will die once they return and intending to cure them before sending them back, Parker steals Strange's spell-containing relic and Strange pursues him into the Mirror Dimension where they briefly duel. Strange becomes trapped in the Mirror Dimension when he is caught off guard and Parker steals his sling ring.
Twelve hours later, he is inadvertently released by Leeds (who had Strange's sling ring with him) and witnesses Parker and his alternate selves curing the villains. Strange's relic is destroyed by Osborn, resulting in the multiverse continuing to break open. Parker tells Strange to cast the spell again, this time having the world forget about the existence of his civilian identity altogether instead. Strange, although initially reluctant and warning Parker of the cost, agrees and casts the spell, resulting in the alternate Parkers, their villains, and Brock and Venom returning to their home universes while everyone from Strange's universe, including himself, forgets Parker, but still remembers Spider-Man, and Beck's victory over Spider-Man has now been finally removed.
Elsewhere, it is revealed that his spell had the unintended effect of displacing a former adversary of Spider-Man, the imprisonedAdrian Toomes,into analternate universe.
Fighting the Scarlet Witch
editSoon after, Strange attends Palmer's wedding and speaks with his former colleague, West, in the church. Afterwards, Strange attends the wedding reception and apologizes to Palmer for his past conduct. Suddenly, upon hearing a disturbance outside, Strange leaves the reception and confronts an invisible creature that is attacking the city. Strange reveals the creature as an inter-dimensional octopus-like being,Gargantos.When Strange is overpowered, Wong joins the fight and the two eventually kill it while saving a girl, who introduces herself asAmerica Chavez.Chavez explains she can travel through themultiverseand that other creatures are after her power including a Strange from another universe. Chavez takes Strange and Wong to Strange's body and Strange deduces that he was attacked with witchcraft.
Strange meets withWanda Maximoffin her self-imposed isolation, not realizing that she has already been taken over by theDarkholdand had taken on the identity of theScarlet Witch.Strange tells Maximoff that he is not there to talk about theWestview incidentbut about Chavez, however, she accidentally reveals she already knew of her and intends on using her to take her power to be with alternate real versions of her childrenBillyandTommy.Strange attempts to reason with her that they are not real but refuses to give her to Maximoff, who attacks Kamar-Taj, killing many sorcerers. During the attack, Chavez's powers are triggered and she and Strange escape in a portal falling through several universes. Strange and Chavez end up in an alternate universe, designated as "Earth-838", where they meet this universe'sMordo.Strange and Chavez are then drugged by him and taken into custody. When he wakes, Strange meets this universe's Palmer who designates his Earth as "Earth-616".Mordo takes Strange to theIlluminati,consisting of Mordo himself,Captain Peggy Carter,King Blackagar Boltagon,Captain Maria Rambeau,Dr. Reed Richards,andProfessor Charles Xavier.They explain how their Strange's reckless use of their universe'sDarkholdto defeat theirThanostrigged an "incursion", destroying another universe, which led the Illuminati to kill him, making Mordo the new Sorcerer Supreme and taking Strange's vacant spot on the Illuminati. The Illuminati then claim that Strange-616 is also dangerous and refuse to believe his warnings about Maximoff. Strange then sees footage of Maximoff, having dream-walked into her 838 counterpart, attacking the Illuminati headquarters, killing all of them except for Mordo, who is defeated by Strange. Strange, Chavez, and Palmer escape to the gap junction, the space between universes, where they find the Book of Vishanti. Maximoff appears, destroys the book, and takes over Chavez's mind, using her powers to send Strange and Palmer to another universe.
Strange and Palmer enter an incursion-destroyed universe where Strange meets that universe's Strange, who was corrupted by theDarkhold.Strange kills this universe's Strange and takes hisDarkholdto dream walk into Defender Strange's deceased body and go after Maximoff. With help from Wong and Chavez, who managed to gain control over her powers, they transport Maximoff back to "Earth-838" to that universe's Maximoff household in Westview, where she is freed from theDarkhold's control by frightening that universe's Billy and Tommy in front of their mother. Realizing what she has done, Maximoff destroys theDarkholdin all universes and kills herself. Strange, Chavez, and Wong return to Earth-616 as Palmer-838 returns to her home. Strange sees the reconstruction of Kamar-Taj, as Chavez begins training there before returning to the New York Sanctum. While out on a walk, Strange develops athird eyeand is approached by asorceresswho invites him to avert an incursion in theDark Dimension.
Alternate versions
editSeveral alternate versions of Strange appear in the animated seriesWhat If...?and the filmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,in which Cumberbatch reprises his role. Another alternate version of Strange appears in the animated seriesYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,voiced byRobin Atkin Downes.
What If...?
editDoctor Strange Supreme
editIn an alternate 2016, Strange seeks out Kamar-Taj and becomes a Master of the Mystic Arts after Palmer dies in a car crash while he was left uninjured. After being appointed the title of Sorcerer Supreme, the newly dubbedDoctor Strange Supremehad then proceeded to make countless attempts to reverse Palmer's death using the Eye of Agamotto, but fails no matter what he tries and is informed by the Ancient One that the event was an irreversible "absolute point" in time, as her death drove him to become a sorcerer, the resultingparadoxwould damage the fabric of reality. Strange refuses to listen and flees to the Library of Cagliostro, where he spends centuries absorbing magical beings and becoming a monstrous version of his former self. Learning that the Ancient One used a spell from the Dark Dimension to splinter him into two beings to divide his power, with the other half having come to terms with Palmer's death, Strange Supreme confronts his other half and eventually absorbs him before resurrecting Palmer, who is repulsed by his appearance while their universe unravels. Strange Supreme begs aid from theWatcher,an omniscient observer of the Multiverse, only to be refused as the Watcher condemns him for not heeding the Ancient One's warning and that he vowed not to interfere in the Multiverse's events. As his universe collapses, Strange Supreme helplessly watches as Palmer fades away from existence and he grieves alone in a pocket dimension he creates.
Sometime later, Strange Supreme is visited by the Watcher, who seeks his help in defeating another universe's now-omnipotentUltron,who seeks to destroy the entire Multiverse. Strange materializes a bar and meetsCaptain Carter,Star-Lord T'Challa,Thor,Gamora,andErik "Killmonger" Stevens,who had been chosen by the Watcher as theGuardians of the Multiverseto combat Ultron. While in another universe, Thor prematurely alerts Ultron to their location, prompting Strange to transport a horde ofzombiesfrom another universe to distract Ultron as they escaped. In Ultron's home universe, they meetNatasha Romanoff,and the team battle Ultron. After Romanoff and Carter successfully uploadArnim Zola's analog consciousness into Ultron's body, Killmonger betrays them and is trapped by Strange in a pocket dimension with Zola. Strange is then tasked by the Watcher to watch them for eternity, in which he gladly accepts while quoting to the Watcher "What are friends for?"
Sometime later, Strange abandoned his post and opened a portal to another universe finding a Mohawk tribeswoman Kahhori and Sky World people in Queen Isabella of Spain's courtroom, saying that he had been looking for her for a long time. He later arrived in the 1602 universe and recruited Captain Carter, who had helped save that universe from an incursion. He brought Carter with him to his Sanctum and revealed he had captured several "universe-killers" such as aThanosand a youngPeter Quillto protect the Multiverse. Strange sent Carter to another universe to retrieve Kahhori, and afterwards, it was revealed that Strange's ambitions to resurrect his universe's Christine Palmer had returned, and he had been kidnapping both universe killers and righteous heroes from across the multiverse to feed to the Forge, a magical construct which he intended to use to restore his destroyed universe by feeding all of his captives to it. Unwilling to accept the sacrifice of so many potential innocents, Carter released Strange's prisoners and battled him with the help of Kahhori and the Infinity Armor taken from a freed Killmonger, but proved no match for him even with the power of the Infinity Stones. Kahhori eventually succeeded in returning everyone home, but not beforeHela,Hulk,another Thor, andXu Wenwugave their weapons and symbols of power to the two women. Strange transformed into a demonic beast, but Carter managed to bring him back to his senses for a moment with the Infinity Stones, and Strange revealed that he could not stop it, too consumed by his grief. Transforming back into the beast, Strange pulled Carter into the Forge, but she was able to break free. Before the beast could blast Carter, Strange partially emerged from it and restrained the beast, saving his old friend's life, before falling into the Forge. Strange's sacrifice restored his universe and Christine Palmer, but as a consequence, he would never be reborn into it, effectively never existing in the restored universe.
The Watcher was later put on trial by the Watchers known as the Eminence, the Incarnate, and the Executioner for his repeated interventions, including giving Strange the knowledge that allowed him to recreate his universe. Under attack by the Eminence, the Incarnate, and the Executioner, Carter sacrificed herself to transport the Watcher, Kahhori, Byrdie the Duck, and Storm to Strange's new universe where Strange's soul was in every atom, acting as a living universe. Strange remained perceptive enough to help his friends out again, using his absolute power over the universe to render the three Watchers powerless. An image of Strange briefly appeared amongst the stars, watching over everyone.
Zombie Strange
editIn an alternate 2018, Strange becomes infected with a quantum virus and is transformed into azombie.After attacking Banner outside of the New York Sanctum, he is killed byHope van Dyne.
Multiverse of Madness
editDefender Strange
editIn an unnamed alternate reality, Strange protectsAmerica Chavezfrom an interdimensional demon who is attempting to steal her ability to enter the multiverse. Unable to escape, and believing himself better equipped to control her powers, Strange tries to steal them. He is mortally wounded by the demon, and Chavez sends both of them to Earth-616 (the main reality in the MCU), where he dies of his wounds. Earth-616 Strange and Wong find and hide the body. His body is later possessed by 616-Strange using the "dream-walking" spell from theDarkholdto fight Wanda Maximoff.
Earth-838's Supreme Strange
edit
In an alternate reality known as Earth-838, Strange is a member of theIlluminati.However, his reckless misuse of theDarkholdin his effort to defeat Thanos creates an "incursion" which destroyed another universe. He was executed byBlack Bolt,making Karl Mordo the new Sorcerer Supreme of Earth-838. Upon Strange's demise, the Illuminati lied to the world by telling them that he sacrificed himself to kill Thanos, and a statue was erected in his honor at the New York Sanctum, bestowing him the title of "Earth's Mightiest Hero".
Darkhold-corrupted Sinister Strange
editIn an alternate reality, Strange grew depressed and used theDarkholdto dreamwalk and find other versions of himself who might be happily living with their Christine Palmer. When he could not find such a version, he set out to kill other versions of himself out of spite, nearly decimating his own universe in the process. When 616-Strange and 838-Palmer enter this universe, 616-Strange fights and ultimately kills the corrupted and insane Strange by throwing him out of a window, impaling him on a fence post.[37]
Deadpool & Wolverine
editAn alternate,unseenversion of Strange found himself in the Void, a wasteland-like realm to which everything "pruned" by the Time Variance Authority was sent, and was killed byCassandra Nova,Charles Xavier's twin sister and self-styled ruler of the Void, who wore his severed skin for four days and kept his sling ring with two Infinity Stones as a memento, which she later uses to helpWade WilsonandLoganescape from Alioth.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
editIn an alternate reality, Strange is seen battling asymbiotic alienin public. Their conflict causes destruction toMidtown High School,where freshmanPeter Parkeris attending on his first day. Peter later assists Strange with capturing the alien. As Strange leaves through his portal with the alien, a radioactive spider emerges through the portal and is left behind; the spider later bites Peter, giving him spider-like abilities.
Reception
editThe Hollywood Reporter'sTodd McCarthycalledDoctor Strange"smartly cast",[38]while Alonso Duralde, reviewing for TheWrap said that the film was "smart enough to bring in great British actors to make the predictable paces and life lessons feel fresh and fascinating".[39]Mara Reinstein ofUS Weeklycriticized the film but praised Cumberbatch's "alluring powers" in the role,[40]while Adam Graham ofThe Detroit Newssaid, "Cumberbatch is wildly charismatic in the lead role... But that's the thing: He's a better party guest than he is a host.Doctor Strangeis a fine introduction, but by the end, you're not sad to be headed for the door ".[41]
Accolades
edit
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Evening Standard British Film Awards | Best Actor | Doctor Strange | Nominated | [42] |
| Critics' Choice Awards | Best Actor in an Action Movie | Nominated | [43] | ||
| 2017 | Empire Awards | Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Nominated | [44] | |
| Saturn Awards | Saturn Award for Best Actor | Nominated | [45] | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Actor in a Fantasy Film | Nominated | [46] | ||
| 2023 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Actor in a Superhero Movie | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Nominated | [47] |
In other media
editDoctor Strange is referenced in the animated filmSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023) byMiguel O'Hara / Spider-Man 2099,who also alludes to Parker and the events ofNo Way Home.[48]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Ditko, Steve(w). "Toyland:" Martin Goodman/Stan Lee ""The Avenging Mind(April 2008). Robin Snyder and Steve Ditko.
- ^"The Marvel Age of Comics, A letter written by Stan Lee to super-fan Dr".April 9, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 23,2017.
- ^Ryan, Mike (June 4, 2014)."The Bizarre Case of the 1978Doctor StrangeMovie ".ScreenCrush.Archivedfrom the original on October 5, 2015.
- ^Russo, Tom (April 25, 2012)."SUPER GROUP".Boston.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2014.
- ^Leonard, Devin (May 23, 2007)."Marvel goes Hollywood".Fortune.p. 2.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2013.RetrievedDecember 4,2011.
- ^Vincent, Roger (September 6, 2005)."Marvel to Make Movies Based on Comic Books".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2014.RetrievedApril 12,2011.
- ^Rosen, Christopher (July 23, 2016)."Doctor Strange is more important than The Avengers, jokes Benedict Cumberbatch".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on July 25, 2016.RetrievedJuly 25,2016.
- ^Collis, Clark (July 15, 2016)."Doctor Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch casts a spell in new Comic-Con poster".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on July 18, 2016.RetrievedJuly 18,2016.
- ^"Benedict Cumberbatch plays Edmund Talbot"(Press release). BBC. May 19, 2005.Archivedfrom the original on March 6, 2015.
When I heard about the gap year of teaching English at a Tibetan monastery, I knew I had to do something about it really quickly otherwise it was going to get allocated... I worked for six months to drum up the finance as it was voluntary – there was no income. I worked in Penhaligon's the perfumery for almost five months and I did waiting jobs... The monastery was a fantastic experience; you lived your life by very limited means, although you were given board and lodgings.
- ^Chai, Barbara (January 5, 2015)."Benedict Cumberbatch on the Beauty of Alan Turing, the Bile of Richard III and the Spirituality of Doctor Strange".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 5,2015.
- ^Collis, Clark (December 29, 2015)."Marvel Studios Boss Kevin Feige explains the powers of Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2015.RetrievedDecember 30,2015.
- ^Krupa, Daniel (October 26, 2016)."13 Coolest Doctor Strange Easter Eggs, References, and Trivia".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2016.RetrievedOctober 28,2016.
- ^Collis, Clark (December 28, 2015)."This Week's Cover: Benedict Cumberbatch casts a spell as Doctor Strange in EW's First Look issue".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on December 29, 2015.RetrievedDecember 28,2015.
- ^Collis, Clark (December 28, 2015)."'Doctor Strange': 6 EW Exclusive Photos of Marvel's Most Mystical, Magical Movie Ever – The Doctor Is In ".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on December 29, 2015.RetrievedDecember 28,2015.
- ^Benedict Cumberbatch on Donning the Red Cloak at Marvel's Doctor Strange Red Carpet Premiere.October 20, 2016. Event occurs at 3:05.RetrievedOctober 23,2016– viaYouTube.
- ^Simpson, George (September 26, 2016)."Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange CONFIRMED for Avengers: Infinity War".Daily Express.Archivedfrom the original on September 26, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 26,2016.
- ^Couch, Aaron (April 30, 2018)."How 'Avengers: Infinity War' Writers Crafted Its Ambitious Ending".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on May 1, 2018.RetrievedMay 1,2018.
- ^"Cumberbatch's body double to play Dr Strange in 'Avengers'".The Statesman.January 14, 2017.
- ^Sobon, Nicole (June 15, 2017)."Benedict Cumberbatch Arrives on Avengers: Infinity War Set".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on June 19, 2017.RetrievedJune 17,2017.
- ^Robinson, Joanna (June 3, 2021)."How the Man Behind Loki Is Shaping Marvel's Phase 4 and Beyond".Vanity Fair.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2021.RetrievedJune 3,2021.
- ^Weiss, Josh (June 21, 2021)."'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Writer Teases Sam Raimi Sequel: 'It's A Thrill Ride'".SyFy Wire.Archivedfrom the original on June 27, 2021.RetrievedJune 27,2021.
- ^Sandwell, Ian (December 15, 2021)."How Spider-Man: No Way Home sets up Doctor Strange 2".Digital Spy.Archivedfrom the original on December 16, 2021.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Dominguez, Noah (February 13, 2022)."Multiverse of Madness Trailer Shows a Horrifying Doctor Strange Variant, Teases Professor X".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on February 14, 2022.RetrievedFebruary 13,2022.
- ^Mathai, Jeremy (March 15, 2022)."Multiverse Of Madness Will Feature Sinister Strange, Defender Strange, And Zombie Strange Variants"./Film.Archivedfrom the original on March 15, 2022.RetrievedMarch 15,2022.
- ^Silverio, Ben F. (March 1, 2022)."Official Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Funko Pops Reveal One Strange Cast"./Film.Archivedfrom the original on March 2, 2022.RetrievedMarch 2,2022.
- ^Breznican, Anthony (November 5, 2016)."Doctor Strange revelations: Secrets and Easter eggs from the new Marvel movie".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2016.RetrievedNovember 5,2016.
- ^Sobon, Nicole (June 15, 2017)."Benedict Cumberbatch Arrives on Avengers: Infinity War Set".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on June 19, 2017.RetrievedJune 17,2017.
- ^Collis, Clark (October 13, 2016)."Doctor Strange will play a 'very, very important' role in the MCU, Marvel Studios president says".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on October 15, 2016.RetrievedOctober 14,2016.
- ^Bricken, Rob (December 17, 2021)."Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessToys Hold a Sorcerous Surprise ".Gizmodo.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
- ^Grauso, Alisha (September 1, 2021)."What If...? Episode 4 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character".Screen Rant.Archivedfrom the original on September 1, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 1,2021.
- ^What If...? [@WhatIfOfficial](August 30, 2021)."Doctor Strange Supreme arrives in the fourth episode of Marvel Studios' #WhatIf, streaming Wednesday on @DisneyPlus"(Tweet).Archivedfrom the original on August 30, 2021.RetrievedSeptember 1,2021– viaTwitter.
- ^Bradley, A. C.(September 1, 2021)."What If... Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?".What If...?.Season 1. Episode 4.Disney+.Opening credits occur from 0:42–1:43, with the end credits beginning at 32:40.
- ^Nolan, Liam (July 22, 2022)."SDCC: Marvel Studios Animation Panel Reveals Future of X-Men '97, What If and Marvel Zombies".Comic Book Resources.Archivedfrom the original on July 22, 2022.RetrievedJuly 22,2022.
- ^Fienberg, Daniel (January 29, 2025)."'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' Review: Disney+'s New Web-Slinging Adventure Offers Throwback Charm but Little Innovation ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2025.RetrievedJanuary 29,2025.
- ^Nair, Rupesh (April 4, 2023)."Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse References the MCU Events From No Way Home".IGNIndia.RetrievedApril 4,2023.
- ^Dinh, Christine (May 18, 2022)."'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness': The Tragedy of Donna Strange ".Marvel.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2022.RetrievedJune 2,2022.
- ^"The Creepy Physical Transformation at the End of 'Dr. Strange 2,' Explained".The Mary Sue.May 6, 2022.RetrievedMay 7,2022.
- ^McCarthy, Todd (October 23, 2016)."'Doctor Strange': Film Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on October 23, 2016.RetrievedOctober 23,2016.
- ^Duralde, Alonso (October 23, 2016)."'Doctor Strange' Review: Benedict Cumberbatch Brings a Little Magic to the Marvel Universe ".TheWrap.Archivedfrom the original on October 24, 2016.RetrievedOctober 23,2016.
- ^Reinstien, Mara (November 2, 2016)."'Doctor Strange' Review: Benedict Cumberbatch Brings His Magic to a 'Convoluted' Marvel Offering ".US Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on November 3, 2016.RetrievedNovember 3,2016.
- ^Graham, Adam (November 5, 2016)."Review: 'Doctor Strange' a mixed bag".The Detroit News.RetrievedNovember 6,2016.
- ^Moore, William (November 17, 2016)."Evening Standard British Film Awards – The Longlist".London Evening Standard.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
- ^Coggan, Devan (December 1, 2016)."Critics' Choice Awards 2017: La La Land, Moonlight, Arrival lead movie nominees".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedDecember 2,2016.
- ^Dyer, James (February 8, 2017)."2017 Three Empire Awards Nominations Announced".Empire.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
- ^McNary, Dave (March 2, 2017)."'Rogue One,' 'Walking Dead' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations ".Variety.RetrievedMarch 3,2017.
- ^"Teen Choice Awards 2017: 'Riverdale,' Fifth Harmony Shut Out Competition".Variety.August 13, 2017.RetrievedJune 15,2018.
- ^Davis, Clayton (February 22, 2023)."'The Batman,' 'RRR' and 'The Boys' Lead Critics Choice Super Awards Nominees for Film and Television ".Variety.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.
- ^Mathai, Jeremy; Shaw-Williams, Hannah (April 4, 2023)."Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Trailer: Miles Morales, Meet The Multiverse"./Film.Archivedfrom the original on April 4, 2023.RetrievedApril 4,2023.