‘Doctor Strange 3’ In Early Development At Marvel Studios – Nexus Off The Record

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It has now been three years since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premiered, and the film’s journey to the screen remains one of the more turbulent productions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the sequel was first announced, original Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson was set to return, and Marvel promoted the film as the MCU’s first true horror experience. Early reports emphasized that the story would explore darker supernatural elements, with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) sharing the spotlight in what many assumed would be a bold stylistic shift for the franchise.

However, in early 2020, Derrickson departed the project due to creative differences with Marvel Studios. With his exit, the film’s horror-driven identity began to shift, and the project entered a period of retooling. Sam Raimi was recruited to direct, accompanied by Loki writer Michael Waldron, who was tasked with reworking the script. Production was further complicated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed filming and forced significant adjustments to the schedule and creative process.

As Raimi and Waldron reshaped the story, many cast members found themselves learning dramatic new details on short notice. Elizabeth Olsen later revealed that she discovered only three weeks before filming began that Wanda would be the primary antagonist of the film. This revelation reportedly conflicted with her expectations, as she believed the story would be more of an ensemble piece that built on Wanda’s arc from WandaVision rather than pivoting her into a villain role so soon after her sympathetic portrayal in the series.

Despite its complicated development, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was met with mostly positive - though notably mixed - reactions upon release. Raimi’s direction was praised for its energetic visual style, inventive horror-inspired sequences, and willingness to embrace stylistic flair rarely seen in MCU projects. Many viewers and critics felt that the film stood out visually as one of the most distinctive entries in the entire franchise.

However, much of the criticism targeted the writing and character arcs. Wanda’s transformation into a villain was polarizing, especially given the emotional depth and nuance of WandaVision. Some fans felt her portrayal relied too heavily on the “hysterical woman” trope and reduced her motivations to grief-fueled rage without adequately building on the growth she experienced in the series. Meanwhile, Doctor Strange’s own development was seen by some as limited, with several viewers feeling that the film did not explore his character as deeply as expected for a sequel centered on him.

Doctor Strange’s future in the MCU has remained uncertain ever since Multiverse of Madness hit theaters. The sequel concluded with a last-minute introduction of Clea, played by Charlize Theron, which appeared to set up a direct continuation of Strange’s story. Naturally, fans expected Marvel to follow through on that cliffhanger in short order. However, speculation grew when neither Benedict Cumberbatch nor Charlize Theron appeared on the official cast list for Avengers: Doomsday, leaving many to wonder whether Marvel intended to resolve that storyline elsewhere - or at all.

As of now, I’m hearing that Doctor Strange 3 is in active early development. I want to emphasize that none of I’m about to say next is fully confirmed; I’m simply sharing what I’ve been told by some sources. According to what I’ve heard, Benedict Cumberbatch is becoming more involved behind the scenes this time around, particularly in the search for a new writer and director. One name Cumberbatch is said to be interested in is Sam Mendes, though that seems unlikely given Mendes has four Beatles biopics on his plate. Neither Sam Raimi nor Michael Waldron are expected to return for the third installment.

Additionally, the film isn’t expected to begin production until after Avengers: Secret Wars has finished filming.