Doctor Strange 2 or Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the much-anticipated sequel to Marvel Studios' 2016 blockbuster Doctor Strange, will hit theatres on May 6. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is growing in scope with Phase 4, and it all comes together in Doctor Strange 2, dubbed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
According to speculation, "the sequel film will develop the scenario by combining plot aspects from Loki, WandaVision, What If...?, and Spider-Man: No Way Home." For those who are planning to see the film, here is a recap of all the storylines that have occurred around Doctor Strange so far.
Here's everything you need to know about Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Dr Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant yet arrogant neurosurgeon, after a car accident went into a downward spiral. The accident had caused disability in his left hand and by extension caused him to lose his career. In an attempt to rehabilitate, he had also lost the wealth he had accumulated.
After hearing an astounding story of a paraplegic Jonathan Pangborn who unexpectedly regained senses in his legs, visits him. Despite his reservations, Strange follows Pangborn's advice and travels to Kamar-Taj (Nepal) to seek the same treatment for himself, where he meets Karl Mordo and the Ancient One.
These two people permanently change the path of his life. Strange learns that Pangborn was not healed by conventional treatment but rather by reorienting his spirit to help his body heal. When the Ancient One knocks his Astral Form out of his body and sends him on a tour of the multiverse, Strange finally sees the light.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Doctor Strange is caught and sent to space after teaming up with Iron Man and Spider-Man in Infinity War, as Thanos' minions try to rip the Time Stone away from him. The heroes crash land on Titan, where they are greeted by the Guardians of the Galaxy. Before they face Thanos, Strange tells us that he looked at a million different potential histories and found only one in which the Avengers triumphed.
Indeed, Thanos outmatches everyone; but, before Thanos can kill Iron Man, Strange offers up the Time Stone in exchange for Tony's life. Having acquired Time Stone, Thanos hunts for Vision, a synthezoid powered by Mind Stone which would complete the Infinity Gauntlet that he acquires during the Battle of Wakanda. He then uses the Infinity Gauntlet to erase half of the universe's life, including Strange, Wanda, and the majority of the Avengers.
Five years later, the surviving Avengers time travel and reclaim the Infinity Stones, and resurrect everyone who has been wiped out of existence. Strange reappears in the MCU's climactic final battle against Thanos, assisting in the teleportation of every other superhero, Wakandan soldier, and Asgardian to rescue the day. Wanda, on the other hand, realises that Vision is still alive and nearly kills Thanos on her own, indicating the enormous strength she possesses.
Suggested Reading: Doctor Strange 2 Review: Elizabeth Olsen’s Performance As Wanda Hailed By Netizens
What If…? (2021)
Strange attempts to change his fate again which has led him to become Master of the Mystic Arts. He uses his powers to attempt to return and save his wife Christene who dies in the car accident that left him disabled. No matter what he does, she always dies which makes him realise that her death is an "absolute point" which cannot be reversed.
He would never have learnt the mystic arts and ended up creating a paradox that destroys the universe had she not died. To expand his own power, he begins to consume the essence of magical creatures, but this is useless. Finally, an alternate version of himself intervenes, a decent Doctor Strange who had accepted Christine's death.
The Ancient One, it turns out, fractured the timeline in order to create an alternate, better version of Strange. The two Stranges fight and Bad Doctor Strange consumes Good Doctor Strange, giving him enough power to eventually breach the absolute point. However, it backfires in the most unfavourable way possible. Due to the paradox, the universe crumbles around him, but he lives by establishing a protected pocket realm.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange's absence during the Blip means he is no longer the Sorcerer Supreme, and the role has fallen to Wong in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Strange tries to help Peter Parker without Wong's direct supervision by performing a spell that causes the general public to forget that he is Spider-Man.
Strange opens an unintended rupture in the multiverse due to Peter's intervention during the spell, asking that it not apply to select loved ones. Two more Peter Parkers appear, as do several Spider-Man foes from various realms. Strange eventually closes the multiverse gap by casting a spell that makes everyone forget who Peter Parker is.