Stephen Strange (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Stephen Strange | |
---|---|
Marvel Cinematic Universe character | |
First appearance | Doctor Strange (2016) |
Based on | |
Adapted by | |
Portrayed by | Benedict Cumberbatch |
Voiced by | Benedict Cumberbatch (What If...?) |
In-universe information | |
Full name | Stephen Vincent Strange |
Alias | Doctor Strange |
Title |
|
Occupation | Neurosurgeon Master of the Mystic Arts |
Affiliation |
|
Weapon |
|
Significant other | Christine Palmer (ex-girlfriend) |
Home | Sanctum Sanctorum, New York City |
Nationality | American |
Doctor Stephen Strange is a
As of 2022, the character is one of the central figures of the MCU, having appeared in six films. Cumberbatch has received acclaim for his performance as Strange and was nominated for several awards—including Critics' Choice Award nominations in 2016 and 2023.
Concept and creation
The character of Doctor Strange was originally created in the 1960s. Artist Steve Ditko and writer Stan Lee have described the character as having been originally the idea of Ditko, who wrote in 2008, "On my own, I brought in to Lee a five-page, penciled story with a page/panel script of my idea of a new, different kind of character for variety in Marvel Comics. My character wound up being named Dr. Strange because he would appear in Strange Tales."[1] In a 1963 letter to Jerry Bails, Lee wrote:
Well, we have a new character in the works for Strange Tales (just a 5-page filler named Dr. Strange) Steve Ditko is gonna draw him. It has sort of a black magic theme. The first story is nothing great, but perhaps we can make something of him-- 'twas Steve's idea and I figured we'd give it a chance, although again, we had to rush the first one too much. Little sidelight: Originally decided to call him Mr. Strange, but thought the "Mr." bit too similar to
Mr. Fantastic – now, however, I remember we had a villain called Dr. Strange just recently in one of our mags, hope it won't be too confusing![2]
Following a 1978 film adaptation also titled
Characterization
In his first feature-length appearance in the MCU, Dr. Strange is a neurosurgeon who, after a car crash that led to a journey of healing, discovers the hidden world of magic and
Later, Strange has become a Master of the Mystic Arts.[16] Markus and McFeely described Strange in Infinity War as "[ending] up being the reasonable adult in the room" with the "widest perspective available".[17] Aaron Lazar served as Cumberbatch's stand-in until the latter completed filming on The Current War (2017).[18] Julian "JayFunk" Daniels once again assisted Cumberbatch with his finger-tutting movements.[19]
In
Appearances
Film
Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Stephen Strange in the films Doctor Strange (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017),[26] Avengers: Infinity War (2018),[27] Avengers: Endgame (2019),[28] Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), where he also plays three alternate versions of the character.[29]
Animation
Cumberbatch voices an alternate version of Strange called Doctor Strange Supreme in three episodes of the
Fictional character biography
Early life
As a child, Stephen Strange plays on a frozen pond with his sister, Donna, who falls through the ice and drowns, causing Strange to lament his inability to save her. He becomes a doctor, and through years of study and practice, hones his skills to a high level.[35]
Becoming a Master of the Mystic Arts
In 2016, Strange is a wealthy, acclaimed but arrogant
The Ancient One demonstrates her power to Strange, revealing the
In 2017, Strange learns that
Infinity War and resurrection
In 2018, Strange and Wong are talking in the New York Sanctum when
In 2023, Strange is restored to life and he along with Wong and the other Masters of the Mystic Arts transport Parker, the restored Avengers, the
Helping Peter Parker
In 2024, much to Strange's disappointment, Wong has assumed the title of Sorcerer Supreme. That fall, Strange is visited by Parker, after his identity as Spider-Man is exposed to the world by
).Strange apprehends Connors and tasks Parker and his friends,
Twelve hours later, he is inadvertently released by Leeds (who had Strange's sling ring with him) and witnesses Parker and his alternate selves curing the villains. Strange's relic is destroyed by Osborn, resulting in the multiverse continuing to break open. Parker tells Strange to cast the spell again, this time having the world forget about the existence of his civilian identity altogether instead. Strange, although initially reluctant and warning Parker of the cost, agrees and casts the spell, resulting in the alternate Parkers, their villains, Brock and Venom returning to their home universes while everyone from Strange's universe, including himself, forgets Parker, but still remembers Spider-Man.
Fighting the Scarlet Witch
Soon after, Strange attends Palmer's wedding and speaks with his former colleague, West in the church. Afterwards, Strange attends the wedding reception and apologizes to Palmer for his past conduct. Suddenly, upon hearing a disturbance outside, Strange leaves the reception and confronts an invisible creature that is attacking the city. Strange reveals the creature as an inter-dimensional octopus-like being,
Strange meets with
Strange and Palmer enter an incursion-destroyed universe where Strange meets that universe's Strange, who was corrupted by the Darkhold. Strange kills this universe's Strange and takes his Darkhold to dream walk into Defender Strange's deceased body and go after Maximoff. With help from Wong and Chavez, who managed to gain control over her powers, they transport Maximoff back to "Earth-838" to that universe's Maximoff household in Westview, where she is freed from the Darkhold's control by frightening that universe's Billy and Tommy in front of their mother. Realizing what she has done, Maximoff destroys the Darkhold in all universes. Strange, Chavez, and Wong return to Earth-616 as Palmer-838 returns to her home. Strange sees the reconstruction of Kamar-Taj, as Chavez begins training there before returning to the New York Sanctum. While out on a walk, Strange develops a
Alternate versions
Several alternate versions of Strange appear in the animated series What If...? and the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, all played by Cumberbatch.
What If...?
Doctor Strange Supreme
In an alternate 2016, Strange seeks out Kamar-Taj and becomes a Master of the Mystic Arts after Palmer dies in a car crash while he was left uninjured. After being appointed the title of Sorcerer Supreme, the newly-dubbed Doctor Strange Supreme had then proceeded to make countless attempts to reverse Palmer's death using the Eye of Agamotto, but fails no matter what he tries and is informed by the Ancient One that the event was an irreversible "absolute point" in time, as her death drove him to become a sorcerer, the resulting
Sometime later, Strange Supreme is visited by the Watcher, who seeks his help in defeating another universe's now-omnipotent
Sometime later, Strange abandoned his post and opened a portal to another universe finding a Mohawk tribeswoman Kahhori and Sky World people in Queen Isabella of Spain's courtroom, saying that he had been looking for her for a long time. He later arrived in the 1602 universe and recruited Captain Carter, who had helped save that universe from an incursion. He brought Carter with him to his Sanctum and revealed he had captured several "universe-killers" such as a
gave their weapons and symbols of power to the two women. Strange transformed into a demonic beast, but Carter managed to bring him back to his senses for a moment with the Infinity Stones, and Strange revealed that he could not stop it, too consumed by his grief. Transforming back into the beast, Strange pulled Carter into the Forge, but she was able to break free. Before the beast could blast Carter, Strange partially emerged from it and restrained the beast, saving his old friend's life, before falling into the Forge. Strange's sacrifice restored his universe and Christine Palmer, but as a consequence, he would never be reborn into it, effectively never existing in the restored universe.Zombie Strange
In an alternate 2018, Strange becomes infected with a quantum virus and is transformed into a zombie. After attacking Banner outside of the New York Sanctum, he is killed by Hope van Dyne.
Multiverse of Madness
Defender Strange
In an unnamed alternate reality, Strange protects
Earth-838's Supreme Strange
Darkhold-corrupted Sinister Strange
In an alternate reality, Strange used the Darkhold to dreamwalk and find other versions of himself who might be happily living with their Christine Palmer. When he could not find such a version, he set out to kill other versions of himself, nearly decimating his own universe in the process. When 616-Strange and 838-Palmer enter this universe, 616-Strange fights and ultimately kills the corrupted Strange.[36]
Reception
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Evening Standard British Film Awards | Best Actor | Doctor Strange | Nominated | [41] |
Critics' Choice Awards | Best Actor in an Action Movie | Nominated | [42] | ||
2017 | Empire Awards | Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Nominated | [43] | |
Saturn Awards | Saturn Award for Best Actor | Nominated | [44] | ||
Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Actor in a Fantasy Film | Nominated | [45] | ||
2023 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Actor in a Superhero Movie | Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | Nominated | [46] |
In other media
Doctor Strange is referenced in the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) by Miguel O'Hara / Spider-Man 2099, who also alludes to Parker and the events of No Way Home.[47]
See also
References
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External links
- Stephen Strange on Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki, an external wiki
- Doctor Strange Supreme on Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki, an external wiki
- Stephen Strange on Marvel Database, a Marvel Comics wiki
- Stephen Strange on Marvel.com