9 Things We Want To See In Doctor Strange 2
3. A Worthwhile Female Lead
Despite having one of the most impressive MCU casts yet, Doctor Strange failed to give all its actors enough to do.
It was exciting news when the very talented Rachel McAdams was cast in the first film, but based on Marvel's previous female roles there was concern she would be shoved into a pointless romance then become the damsel in distress in the third act. And yet even that much McAdams wasn't given. She spends the first act caring for an injured Strange until he pushes her away, then she spends the rest of the movie at the hospital waiting for sorcerers to pop in for medical attention.
This is just one more wasted female character in the MCU, pushed to the sidelines while the hero takes the spotlight. Yes, this film is called Doctor Strange and not Christine Palmer, but she is so underwritten, she could have been cut from the film with little effect to the finished product.
The sequel should either figure out how to make worthwhile use of McAdams, or bring in a more better written female character. It would be a shame to lose McAdams from the franchise so quickly, but Strange's comic book love interest, Clea, might offer a richer, more interesting character the sequel could do justice to.