Doctor Strange 2 release date: everything you need to know

Photo credit: Disney
Photo credit: Disney

From Digital Spy

On the surface, Doctor Strange 2 was instantly cancelled the minute the title character vanished in a puff of dust during Infinity War's shocking closing sequence.

But, let's face it, no-one in the MCU stays dead, so we're sure Avengers 4 will wave some sort of magic wand that'll make Doctor Strange 2 possible. And it's a film we think Marvel desperately needs.

So, with that in mind, we've got our hands on the Scoop Stone, to gather together all the latest news on Doctor Strange 2.

Doctor Strange 2 release date: When will it come out?

Photo credit: Marvel Studios
Photo credit: Marvel Studios

Whoa, whoa, whoa – let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Before Infinity War came out, Benedict Cumberbatch wasn't sure Doctor Strange 2 would happen at all.

"I know the latest is that I might not make it out of this film alive,"Cumberbatch said.

"It's only [written at] the end of the first film, 'Doctor Strange will be back.' I have been back, in Thor: Ragnarok, and obviously in [Avengers: Infinity War].

"So there's nothing to say, either contractually or otherwise, that he's coming back again. I haven't seen the film, so God knows, that might be it."

Thankfully, he's changed his tune now everyone's seen Infinity War – after he was asked if he'd like to appear as the character again, he was pretty clear on his feelings.

"Oh, Strange? Just try to stop me. That's all kind of lined up as far as I'm aware, but who knows?

"I mean, you know, the problem is, how does he get out of where he's at? But that's the only thing. I'm bits of dust at the moment as far as I understand. So you really have to ask [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige.

"But as far as wanting to do it, yeah, I would love to go back into that role."

Just don't ask him for any firm release date details, mainly because he doesn't have any. "Not at the moment, no," he admitted. "The masterplan is continually in flux, so it would be out of order for me to speculate."

Man, Cumberbatch is good at keeping a secret – no wonder he was the only cast-member who was allowed to read the entire Infinity War script.

"I was allowed to read the whole script so I do know what is happening, but I can't tell you about it. What I can say is that I am helping the world and worlds beyond it – potentially," Cumberbatch teased.

So, don't expect any official confirmation on a Doctor Strange 2 release date until long after Avengers 4 is in cinemas. Our best guess is summer 2020, but let's see.

Doctor Strange 2 trailer: When will we see it?

Photo credit: Disney - Marvel Studios
Photo credit: Disney - Marvel Studios

If Doctor Strange 2 is confirmed for 2020, we'll see our first trailer in 2019 – most likely at Disney's D23 event in August. We imagine it'll contain magic, capes and jokes.

Bookmark this page for all the latest trailer news and features – we'll be adding to it whenever any information comes across our desk.

Doctor Strange 2 villain: Will it be Nightmare or Mordo?

Photo credit: Marvel Studios
Photo credit: Marvel Studios

This is probably the biggest mystery of Doctor Strange 2 (aside from whether it'll happen or not). The original movie very much set up Mordo as the main antagonist of any future sequel.

Not according to director Scott Derrickson. "I really like the character of Nightmare and the concept that the Nightmare Realm is a dimension," Derrickson said when asked about which bad guy he wants to bring to the MCU.

"That's early – that's like the first Strange tale. I think that's in the introductory episode of Doctor Strange, and I always loved that."

Introduced in 1963's Strange Tales #110, Nightmare the embodiment of nightmares, a being that lives in a parallel dimension where people travel to in their dreams.

Derrickson also almost included Nightmare in the first Doctor Strange movie before eventually dropping the idea.

"We decided not to do that because that's a bit of a complex idea to try to introduce everything we do introduce and introduce the idea of nightmares themselves as being a dimension," he continued.

"I hope somewhere down the line we do get to explore that because I think that's super cool concept."

Doctor Strange 2 cast: Who will be in it?

Photo credit: Marvel Studios
Photo credit: Marvel Studios

Well, the two Benedicts will be back (that is, Cumberbatch and Wong) and we'd also expect Chiwetel Ejiofor to turn up, even if Mordo isn't the main antagonist of the movie.

As for anyone else, with these films becoming more intigrated than ever, we'd also predict an appearance from another MCU character.

Cumberbatch enjoyed working with Robert Downey Jr on Infinity War, so we wouldn't be surprising if Iron Man extended his contract for one more ride.

"It was a good meetings of egos and facial hair. We don't kiss but we have similar tache things going on, goatee vibes. It was really daunting standing on set with those characters as well as those actors."

Doctor Strange 2 after Avengers 4: Where will Strange be?

Photo credit: Marvel Studios
Photo credit: Marvel Studios

Doctor Strange was one of the most important characters in Infinity War, but he did die at the end of it. But some key dialogue made it clear he's a big part of the long game.

The stage has been pretty clearly set for his return in the next movie. And we're pretty sure we knowhow he'll fit into the plot of Avengers 4.

When Doctor Strange does return, we predict he'll be more powerful than ever – something that was hinted at in the climax of his first movie. As for how powerful, we'll have to wait and see.

While we wait, bookmark and keep coming back to this page for fresh updates – as we'll be paying a very close Eye Of Agamotto on this one.


Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.

You Might Also Like