SPOILERS: 5 Frustrating Questions You'll Be Left Asking After Watching DOCTOR STRANGE

So, we've all seen Doctor Strange, but as great as it was, there's no denying that it leaves us with a lot of pretty huge questions about both the future of the hero and the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

By JoshWilding - Nov 07, 2016 09:11 AM EST

Filed Under: Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is an awesome movie and yet another hit for Marvel Studios, and while it definitely doesn't include the plot holes we've become used to with most superhero movies, it still leaves us asking a lot of questions. Some of these are actually pretty frustrating, particularly as they're so closely tied to the future of both the Sorcerer Supreme in training and the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Of course, questions like these do help build excitement for what's to come (like in Avengers: Infinity War), but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice to learn more about that sooner rather than later!

So, what you'll find here are what I believe to be the five biggest queries we've been left with now that Doctor Strange is in theaters. Along with a look at the ways the movie leaves us with these, I've also attempted to figure out some answers, though there's a very good chance that we won't actually get those officially until Kevin Feige and the rest of the minds behind the MCU decide the time is right.

5. Will Stephen Strange Become The New Sorcerer Supreme?

Earlier versions of Doctor Strange were going to end with The Ancient One passing on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme to Stephen. However, the decision was made that he hadn't quite earned that yet, so the story wraps up with Earth left with only the inexperienced sorcerer attempting to serve as its new protector. That's actually a lot more interesting as it obviously leaves the door open to him earning the mantle and having to do something pretty significant as a result.

The impending battle against Thanos seems like the perfect place for that, while the fact that he isn't the Sorcerer Supreme obviously helps ensure that he's not instantly all-powerful. Despite that, it's hard not to get a little frustrated wondering now how all of this is going to play out. Will Strange ever be known as the Sorcerer Supreme or is that something we'll just be left to assume because there's no one else to take the mantle? Making him fight for it seems like the wisest option, and Doctor Strange's after-credits scene pointed to him having some competition after the Mad Titan arrives on Earth...

By the time Doctor Strange wraps up, Karl Mordo has pretty much lost the plot after being betrayed by The Ancient One and decided that the best way to stop sorcerers misusing their powers is to take their abilities from them. This mission will inevitably lead to him crossing paths with Stephen and Wong again as it was the former's decision to recklessly play with time that seemed to push him over the edge. Before we get to that inevitable confrontation though, it's hard not to wonder what Mordo is doing with the power he's taking off people.

Based on what we see in Doctor Strange's after-credits scene, he's absorbing it into his own body, and that's surely just going to make him even more formidable and unstable. Still, what exactly is he going to do with it all? Does he just want to take out Strange or is he going to attempt to become the new Sorcerer Supreme to ensure that magic is handled the way he sees fit? Also, if stopping someone from using magic is as simple as removing it from their body, should we expect to see a depowered Strange at some point in the inevitable sequel?

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3. When Exactly Is The Movie Set?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe pretty much moves in real time, but Doctor Strange is a hard one to pin down. There have been conflicting reports about who the soldier who got injured in an experimental suit of armour is, with many believing it's one of Justin Hammer's men from Iron Man 2 and others stating that it could be Rhodey following the events of Captain America: Civil War. Considering the fact that Avengers Tower is already built when Strange is a surgeon, it's hard to imagine it being the former, though it's obviously possible that he's looking for help in the years which have followed since his injury.

It's also never made entirely clear how long Stephen spends training with The Ancient One. I'm inclined to believe that he's there for years, but it could just as easily be months. Throw in the fact that there's no mention of The Incident or the Sokovia Accords (understandable due to Stephen not being a conventional superhero), and Doctor Strange is going to be a tough movie to neatly fit into a timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How much time has passed between the ending and his meeting with Thor is also never addressed, though he has found some snazzy new gloves for himself during that period!

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2. Will Doctor Strange Do Anything About The Infinity Stones?

After realising that taking off the Eye of Agamotto is probably for the best for the time being, Strange is told by Wong that he can actually learn to master the Infinity Stone. He initially has no idea what his friend and mentor is talking about, but considering the fact that he's compiled a list of mystical threats to the Earth by the time Thor pays him a visit, chances are that he'll know all about them all by the time he returns for Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War.

The question is, will he now set out to take them off the playing field or is the fact he has one of them simply going to lead to an inevitable confrontation with Thanos? I've seen some people say that it's surprising The Ancient One never tried to collect them all, but considering the fact she probably knew how dangerous it would be to have all the Stones in the same place, her not doing so makes sense. Even so, the Time Stone leaves us with a lot of questions; just how far back can one travel and will Stephen's mastery over it simply be used as an easy way of undoing any damage caused by Thanos?

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1. Is Dormammu Going To Return?

Strange may make it clear to Dormammu that he's never to return to Earth, but you have to believe that the iconic comic book villain will want revenge for the way the hero humiliated and manipulated him. Director Scott Derrickson has revealed that he would like to introduce Nightmare in the sequel given the chance, but the ruler of the Dark Dimension making his presence felt in that or a possible third instalment seems inevitable. Mordo was horrified that The Ancient One had been using power from the villain's realm to elongate her life, but could he end up teaming up with Dormammu?

I find that hard to imagine given the lengths he went to in order to stop him, but he's clearly losing his mind, so it could very well happen. I also thought it was interesting that Kaelicius and his Zealots were transformed into beings that looked an awful lot like Mindless Ones after being sucked into the Dark Dimension, so Dormammu returning with an army of them by his side is surely something Marvel will tackle somewhere down the line. Who knows though, perhaps this one off appearance will be it for him?

Do you have answers to these questions or even a list of your own which have been driving you up the wall? As always, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the usual place!

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279 Comments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MrDandy - 11/7/2016, 9:04 AM

"The Marvel Cinematic Universe pretty much moves in real time"......except for phase one.

Release chronology-

1) Iron Man
2) Incredible Hulk
3) Iron Man 2
4) Thor
5) Captain America
6) Avengers

Actual Chronology

1) Captain America
2) Iron Man
3) Iron Man 2
4) The Incredible Hulk
5) Thor
6) Avengers

JonesTheCat - 11/7/2016, 9:05 AM

These questions aren't frustrating. The fact that we leave considering more means the movie made us want to know. It did its job, it's a great movie.

SonOfAGif - 11/7/2016, 2:48 PM

@JonesTheCat - It's a clickbait article.

MrDandy - 11/7/2016, 9:08 AM

None of these were really frustrating question.

My frustrating question would be

1) Why is the library never really guarded?
2) Why is it so easy to read those super secret books?
3) Why is the Infinity Stone just sitting around in a place anyone can take it?
4) If the sanctums are so important for safeguarding the well being of the world, why do they only have one guardian each, ESPECIALLY when they know they are going to be attacked?
5) Why can Kaelius break out of the time spell but Dormammu can't?

Don't get me wrong, I still loved the movie, but there was no denying it had quite a few plot holes.

TheAccuser - 11/7/2016, 9:16 AM

@MrDandy - I think everyone just kinda knows not to go into the library So Wong didnt really need to be there the whole time.

Most People cant read them, only Strange, Kaecilus, And A couple other.

You cant open the eye unless you can read the book So, and Its probably not common knowledge that its a stone.

Maybe The guardians Are just that good. Kaecilius had friends and they were all amped up a little.

Kaecillus knows the time spell, and he knows How Sorcerers work. Dormammu probably didnt yet understand the issue.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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SPOILERS: 5 Frustrating Questions You'll Be Left Asking After Watching DOCTOR STRANGE

So, we've all seen Doctor Strange, but as great as it was, there's no denying that it leaves us with a lot of pretty huge questions about both the future of the hero and the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

5. Will Stephen Strange Become The New Sorcerer Supreme?

4. What Is Mordo Going To Do With All That Power?

3. When Exactly Is The Movie Set?

2. Will Doctor Strange Do Anything About The Infinity Stones?

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