Doctor Strange 3 hasn't been confirmed by Marvel, and right now, it's looking like we'd have to wait a while for the threequel if it does happen.
The MCU is into Phase 5 with the 2023 releases of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. Barring a surprise entry, the current Phase is packed out with other movies and TV shows, so we'd have to wait until Phase 6 starts.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness did make nearly $1 billion at the box office, so it'd be a surprise if there wasn't a third movie. Luckily, leading man Benedict Cumberbatch seems keen to reprise the role if he gets the chance.
What to Read Next
"I would love to do another one. Doctor Strange is such a complex character and it feels like there is so much more to explore with him," Cumberbatch told The New Indian Express in June 2022.
The sequel (now available to watch on Disney+) has caused plenty of debate among fans with its shocking ending. But, in James Bond fashion, the end of the credits did tell us that "Doctor Strange will return".
Given Strange has popped up in other MCU outings, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home, this could just mean appearances in other movies. But if the likes of Iron Man and Thor can get a trilogy, why can't Doctor Strange?
So with that in mind, here's everything you need to know about Doctor Strange 3.
Doctor Strange 3 potential release date: When could Doctor Strange 3 be out in cinemas?
As mentioned above, Doctor Strange 3 has yet to be confirmed, so we don't have an official release date for the threequel.
There are some confirmed 2025 release dates open in Phase 6 — July 25 and November 7 — if Marvel decides to fit the film in. A three-year turnaround could work, but it's possible we might have to wait until 2026 or beyond, depending on Marvel's plans.
When we know more, we'll update this page.
Doctor Strange 3 cast: Who will return for Doctor Strange 3?
There wouldn't be a Doctor Strange 3 without Benedict Cumberbatch as Steven Strange. Most Marvel stars have completed three solo outings before hanging up their spandex. Chris Hemsworth as Thor is the sole exception, having made it to four so far.
In addition, it's hard to imagine a threequel without Sorcerer Supreme Wong — and given that he tends to crop up in other MCU films, we have a feeling Wong will be around for some time.
As for Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda, aka Scarlet Witch, her story arc with Doctor Strange feels rather wrapped up — and there's also that whole issue of her potentially being dead after the events of the sequel.
"It's weird that I'm expecting to return but no one's told me I'm doing anything! But in my mind, I'm just making the assumption that they'll have me again. I don't know to what capacity, but I hope I'm back," Olsen said of her MCU future.
"I hope there's also more fun to be had in something different. Where do we go? I feel like we've done so much with her. It's been really a wild couple years with her."
Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer could comfortably make a reappearance, too, while Xochitl Gomez might return as the multiverse-hopping America Chavez.
That doesn't preclude her from appearing in other films, especially as we haven't had any confirmation about a Young Avengers movie yet (which is where she'd more likely take up a prominent role).
"I would love to continue to play her, of course. I'm just excited to see what the MCU has in store for her and her character growth," Gomez told Digital Spy.
The sequel's mid-credit scene sees the arrival of Charlize Theron as Clea, Strange's love interest and eventual wife in the comics. She wants his help in fixing an incursion he created with his multiverse antics, and he agrees to help.
So Theron will absolutely be back in the threequel (should it happen, of course) and could well pop up in other projects too.
Doctor Strange 2 writer Michael Waldron said Clea's arrival was planned to draw a line under Strange's relationship with Christine.
"They have a lot of great adventures in the comics, and we knew we wanted to introduce her, but it felt like we had to close the book to some extent on his love story with Christine Palmer, Rachel McAdams' character," he noted.
As for the rest of the MCU's ever-expanding cast of characters, take your pick! Even the dead ones! The multiverse possibilities are endless! God help us all.
Behind the scenes, there's no hint of who will return. Scott Derrickson directed the first film and was set to direct the sequel, but Sam Raimi took over midway through its development.
Doctor Strange 3 plot: What will Doctor Strange 3 be about?
The main cliffhanger from the sequel is Clea's arrival in the multiverse when she seeks Strange's help to fix an Incursion.
Unless it's dealt with before the third movie, this will likely form the basis of the next Doctor Strange movie. Then again, we thought the same about the Mordo tease in the first movie's post-credit scene, but that hasn't come true... yet.
As for what else the threequel will be about, it could be anything now that the multiverse is absolutely a thing in the MCU. The possibilities are literally endless and the threequel could well be affected by multiple other MCU projects.
There's plenty of comics fodder left for Marvel to mine, and lots of multiverse shenanigans to embark upon if they so choose.
Doctor Strange 3 trailer: Any Doctor Strange 3 footage available?
Obviously, there is no footage for the as-of-yet unconfirmed Doctor Strange 3. For now, you can head to Disney+ to watch both Doctor Strange movies while you wait.
Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is available to watch now on Disney+.
![Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1654869402-51BnASiek9L._SL500_.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness [DVD]")
![Marvel Studios: The Infinity Saga - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray, region-free]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1592930813-51rTY4QSSxL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Marvel Studios: The Infinity Saga - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray, region-free]")
Gabriella Geisinger is a freelance film critic and journalist, with a focus on J-drama & film, and the Japanese production industry. She was previously Locations Editor at Screen International and Deputy Movies Editor at Digital Spy. Her writing can also befound in Curzon, 1883, and more. A born and raised New Yorker, she loves coffee and the colour black, obviously.
