Marvel Studios is playing its Phase 4 cards close to its chest until the fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is decided in Avengers 4 – but production rumours (and good old-fashioned educated guesses) mean we have an idea of what’s coming next. Spider-Man: Far From Home is the only film that’s been officially announced – but a new report suggests that Doctor Strange 2 will arrive early on in the franchise’s next era.
According to The Mirror, Benedict Cumberbatch will be back as Doctor Stephen Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts, for a sequel to Scott Derrickson’s 2016 film, shooting in spring 2019. No other details about the film have emerged yet – including whether Derrickson would return behind the camera. However, the post-credits sequence of Doctor Strange indicated that Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mordo could be the sequel’s villain.
Of course, it’s no surprise that Strange will be back – Cumberbatch’s character is expected to be a cornerstone of the MCU post-Avengers 4, and an early solo film in Phase 4 could position him as a new central figure of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. And with Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 originally expected to shoot in early 2019 production (prior to James Gunn’s firing, which likely will delay the project), could Doctor Strange 2 be moving into a release slot previously designated for Star Lord et al? Whatever the MCU’s future instalments are, don’t expect any official confirmation on them from Marvel until the, ahem, dust settles on Phase 3.
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