10 Things Marvel Wants You To Forget About Doctor Strange

7. He Ripped Off The Matrix

Strange mask display
Marvel

The Doctor Strange movie has drawn more than a few comparisons to the Matrix. However, the similarities actually started long before that.

The 2004 miniseries Strange was an attempt to reinvent the character's origin story for a new audience. It can not be overstated how much it was absolutely just the plot of the first Matrix movie.

Instead of training in magic, Doctor Strange was a man who was chosen to be the next Sorcerer Supreme, he's even referred to at several points as "The One". He is told this by the Ancient One who is a wise older mentor figure and bald. However, Clea (who even has black hair in this for Zion's sake) is sceptical of his abilities.

After a bunch of fight scenes (which are of course in slow motion), Strange is able to reach within himself and unlock his full potential as "The One" to defeat Dormammu and save Clea.

Apart from being a blatant ripoff, this new origin also misses the whole point of Doctor Strange. He's supposed to be an arrogant man who learns an important lesson after his hands are ruined, but here it's completely undermined when his magic powers are practically handed to him on a plate.

Contributor

I was just a mild-mannered NCTJ accredited journalist until one day I found out the truth... that I could share my nerdy ramblings with people on the internet! It's just like mumbling to myself on the train, but without all the strange looks.