For a studio that used to debut years’ worth of upcoming titles in their own Apple-like event, Marvel has been relatively tight-lipped on their future phase of films. Sure, we know little details here and there, like The Eternals and Shang-Chi are both set to make their big screen debuts, and a Black Widow prequel is in development, but we’ve barely heard a word about follow-ups to their past solo successes like Black Panther and Doctor Strange. But now that Endgame has come and gone, we expect that to change very quickly.
If new rumors are to be believed, Doctor Strange 2, which is deep into development behind studio doors by director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill, may feature two brand new characters, and the surprising return of a few more.
Twitter user @RogerWardell, a mysterious anonymous account that previously revealed several plot points for Avengers: Endgame last December, recently disclosed details on the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, saying:
“Doctor Strange 2: 1980’s Boogaloo. Tilda Swinton is in talks to return as the Ancient One. Jericho Drumm and Clea will make their MCU debuts, Clea will likely be portrayed by an Asian actress. Most importantly the gloves will be back!”
Despite being less than 240 characters, there’s a lot of info to break down here, so let’s start with the newbies.
In the comics, Brother Voodoo is Jericho Drumm, a Haitian doctor who turned to sorcery after the death of his brother. In fact, Drumm’s doomed brother Daniel has already appeared in the first Doctor Strange film, portrayed by Mark Anthony Brighton, as the keeper of the New York Sanctum who was murdered by Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius (remember him?). Not only does this set up Voodoo’s appearance in the sequel, but it may hint at Brighton’s return. The comic book version of Daniel Drumm appears to his brother as a spirit that can enter and possess others’ bodies as he pleases.
Clea, on the other hand, may serve as the movie’s villain. Not only is she the estranged wife of Doctor Strange, but she’s also the niece of Dormammu and former ruler of The Dark Dimension until her uncle took over. Wardell notes that the studio is looking to cast an Asian actress, suggesting that producers took note of fans calling for more representation on screen.
Which brings us to the surprising revelation that Tilda Swinton’s Ancient One will be returning, too. The character’s casting choice was notoriously steeped in controversy upon Doctor Strange’s release, so it was somewhat surprising when she popped up in Avengers: Endgame to lay down some exposition regarding the MCU’s multiverse.
The Ancient One’s return, as well as Wendell’s “1980’s Boogaloo” joke, suggests that time travel will play just as important role in this sequel as it did in the first Doctor Strange and Avengers: Endgame. According to the MCU head honcho Kevin Fiege, more details about Marvel’s future will roll out after Spider-Man: Far From Home wraps up Phase Three later this summer, so expect further revelations about Doctor Strange 2 to follow.
