Doctor Strange Review: 8 Ups & 5 Downs

2. The MCU's Heir Apparent

A lot has been said of Marvel's long-term problems with replacing their Phase One veterans. In particular the question of Robert Downey Jr's inevitable departure shone brightly because of how incredible his performance is. He is the glue that holds the MCU together, and it was on his shoulders that it was built.

Even with Captain America, without Iron Man the MCU would be seriously missing a senior figure, but they've now crafted one out of an established comics character who could very easily step into Stark's shoes. Strange might as well be a sibling of Stark: both are snarky, both arrogant and brilliant and both work best as slightly detached loners and have their own personal demons.

It's almost like he's being presented as the heir to Stark's throne and the next leader of the Avengers, and on the back of Doctor Strange that is absolutely not a problem.