Marvel
The multiverse is officially on its way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as THR is reporting that Benedict Cumberbatch is set to reprise his role of Doctor Strange in the upcoming Spider-Man 3.
The move puts Cumberbatch in the mentor role that was previously occupied by Robert Downey Jr., who played Tony Stark/Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming, and by Samuel L. Jackson in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the latter reprising Nick Fury. The role gives Holland a chance to play opposite seasoned actors, gives Peter Parker a father figure and gives the movies extra star power while also tying them to the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
As I detailed in my article about the return of Jamie Foxx’s Electro, this move from Marvel is a clear signal that the multiverse — or, as I like to refer to it as, multiversal storytelling — is on it’s way to the MCU. Popularized in Into the Spider-Verse and briefly introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp and Avengers: Endgame, the inclusion of the multiverse will not only allow the MCU to tell new and different stories, but also provides an avenue to introduce iconic comic book characters such as the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Deadpool.
We discussed Jamie Foxx’s Electro and what multiverses mean for the future of comic book movies on this week’s episode of the Post-Credit Podcast, so make sure to check that out if you want more insight into the future of superhero movies. We’ll also be talking about the Doctor Strange news on this our newest episode, which drops tomorrow.
At this time, the still-untitled third film in the MCU’s Spider-Man franchise is set to hit theaters in the United States on December 17, 2021.
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