According to unconfirmed reports, there’s a major casting change in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange 3—and if true, Marvel fans have had enough.
The rumor that’s setting social media ablaze is that Liam Neeson will take over the role of Baron Mordo in the upcoming installment of the Doctor Strange franchise.
The scoop, which comes from fan account @MCUSource on X, claims that Neeson has been tapped to play the dark sorcerer opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange 3.
Accompanying the post is a side-by-side image of Neeson and a comic depiction of Mordo, fueling further speculation and divided reactions across the fandom.
What about the existing Baron Mordo?
Here’s the problem: Chiwetel Ejiofor, who portrayed Baron Karl Mordo in both Doctor Strange and Multiverse of Madness, is a fan-favorite and a critical part of the franchise’s continuity.
Ejiofor’s Mordo was last seen in an alternate-universe cameo that left fans eagerly waiting for a deeper dive into the character’s original version. Recasting him with Neeson—a respected actor, yes, but not known for comic book roles—has fans scratching their heads.
Doctor Strange 3 is expected to continue the Multiverse Saga and pick up threads left dangling in Multiverse of Madness (2022), which ended with a cliffhanger involving Clea (Charlize Theron) and Strange traveling into the Dark Dimension.
While Marvel Studios has yet to officially confirm a title or release date, insiders speculate the film could hit theaters in late 2026 or early 2027, as part of Phase 6.
“Forget everything you think you know”
Reaction has been swift and unforgiving as news of Neeson’s rumored casting spread. Some fans are voicing frustration that Marvel Studios continues to ignore continuity in favor of stunt casting. Others are questioning whether this rumored move is part of a broader decline in creative direction since the Multiverse concept has made recasts and replacements narratively possible, but not always popular.
So, is Liam Neeson really in Doctor Strange 3? As of June 18, 2025, no official announcement has been made by Marvel Studios or Neeson’s representatives. This rumor remains just that—a rumor. No trade outlets such as Variety, Deadline, or The Hollywood Reporter have confirmed the casting. Until then, fans are left with a single speculative tweet and a lot of frustration.
Is this Terrence Howard for Don Cheadle all over again?
It wouldn’t be the first time Marvel has recast a role mid-franchise—Terrence Howard was famously replaced by Don Cheadle as James Rhodes, and Edward Norton was swapped out for Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. But those changes were often motivated by behind-the-scenes disputes or contractual conflicts. In Ejiofor’s case, no such conflict is publicly known.
If Marvel does move forward with Neeson as Baron Mordo, they’ll have to brace for backlash. The MCU has been losing goodwill over the past few years due to underwhelming box office returns and overstuffed narratives. Recasting a beloved villain without explanation may only deepen the divide between the studio and its core fanbase. For now, fans are left to wonder: What about the other guy?
Published: Jun 18, 2025 01:20 pm