Marvel Cinematic Universe: 11 Films To Expect In Phase 4

Though he made his MCU debut in 2016, Doctor Strange's popularity has only increased thanks to his ongoing appearances in Thor: Ragnarok, Infinity War, and Endgame. As such, it's a sure bet that his sequel will be met with an even bigger set of expectations and level of anticipation, particularly as we've seen how far the Master of the Mystic Arts has advanced in his capabilities.

Director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill have both long been confirmed to return to craft the sequel, which will surely see the return of characters like Wong and Christine, but one of the more interesting aspects of the film will be how it deals with Karl Mordo, who we last saw on a crusade to rid the world of unworthy magic wielders. In 2018, Cargill even made a point to draw comparisons to Loki in terms of the long-term plan for Mordo, who everyone involved wants to realize "as more than just a cardboard cutout villain."

Beyond that, there's plans for the villainous Nightmare to rear his head in the sequel as well. As the wicked ruler of the Dream Dimension, Nightmare's character in the comics is no joke, and if handled right could give Derrickson the chance to dig into his own horror roots and give the sequel a darker, scarier edge. Whatever the case, the film has a lot of comic history to play with for both its titular hero and the world of the MCU that he and his allies and foes inhabit, and it's likely we'll see the film arrive no later than 2021, possibly in the November 5 slot.