Doctor Strange 2 Theory: Mordo Isn't A Villain In Multiverse of Madness

Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) could return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as an ally rather than a villain. The upcoming Marvel sequel, which was moved back from May 2021 to March 2022, is expected to pair Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) with Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) for an adventure that will expand greatly on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s previously established concept of the multiverse.

There’s still no official word on whom Doctor Strange will be facing in his second solo outing, but one possibility is Doctor Strange’s Mordo. In Marvel Comics, Baron Mordo is a rival sorcerer to Stephen Strange and arguably his greatest adversary. Baron Mordo has long been jealous of Strange’s power and the title of Sorcerer Supreme. Armed with his dark magic, Baron Mordo has gone to great lengths to defeat Strange, and to accomplish this goal he’s even aligned himself with villains like Dormammu.

Marvel introduced the MCU’s Mordo in Doctor Strange, but utilized him as a sorcerer who worked with Strange instead of against him. Based on how things went for Mordo at the end of the movie, when he returns to the MCU there’s a strong expectation that he’ll follow in the footsteps of his comic book counterpart and concoct a scheme to take down Strange. It was recently confirmed by Chiwetel Ejiofor that he’ll be reprising his role in Doctor Strange 2, but of course no details were offered on how he would factor into the story. Here’s why Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may defy expectations by not using Mordo as a villain.

Doctor Strange Setup Mordo As A Future Villain

Mordo confronts Pangborn in Doctor Strange

In Doctor Strange, Mordo served as a guide for Strange back when he was just beginning to learn about magic. In fact, it was actually Mordo who helped persuade the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) to accept Strange as a student, and Mordo also assisted in Strange’s training. For the most part, Mordo was portrayed as a loyal subordinate of the Ancient One who used his magic to help safeguard the sanctums in the battle against Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and his followers.

Mordo’s loyalty to the Ancient One was tested when Strange accused her of drawing power from Dormammu’s Darkforce Dimension. Mordo vehemently defended the Ancient One against Strange’s criticisms, but after the Ancient One's death, it was revealed that Mordo was deeply affected by what he had learned about her. Mordo came to understand that he had placed his faith in the wrong person. Mordo had always been taught that the power from Dormammu’s realm was evil and that using this sort of magic can corrupt a person. Believing that the Ancient One violated her own teachings, Mordo started to reconsider everything he once believed about magic, and he was further disappointed after Strange had to use the time manipulation powers of the Eye of Agamotto to broker a deal with Dormammu. For Mordo, this move was the last straw, and he turned his back on his friends and didn’t return.

Mordo’s next MCU story was teased in a post-credits scene that showed him conversing with Jonathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt), the same sorcerer who used magic to regain his ability to walk. In this scene, Mordo explained his new worldview about magic. Now, Mordo believes that magic is being used to break the laws of nature, and for this reason, Mordo presumably kills Pangborn. This dark twist made it clear that Marvel was looking to transform Mordo into the villain from the comics.

Doctor Strange 2 Has Outgrown The First Movie's Mordo Tease

Doctor Strange - Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo

By the time Doctor Strange 2 hits theaters, it’ll have been over five years since Doctor Strange’s Mordo tease. Considering that so much time will have passed, it’s worth wondering if Marvel is still interested in pursuing this arc for Mordo. Thanks to the instrumental roles he played in the story of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Strange now has a key place in the MCU’s future. Furthermore, Marvel is constantly expanding the reach of the MCU by adding new characters, places, and concepts.

As for where Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness fits into the bigger picture, just the name of the movie alone hints at the film being an important installment for Phase 4. A story that pulls in new timelines and dimensions suggests that the scale of the sequel will be so much bigger than its predecessor, which possibly makes Doctor Strange 2 Marvel’s most significant Phase 4 movie. All things considered, Marvel may have changed its plans for Strange’s next villain. Doctor Strange 2 may be too big of a story for Mordo to work as a compelling main antagonist, and the plot may call for a much more powerful villain with greater goals than a human sorcerer with a grudge against people who practice magic.

Theory: Mordo Teams Up With Doctor Strange In Multiverse of Madness

Mordo with the Staff of Living Tribunal MCU

Instead of being a villain, Mordo could be an ally to Strange in the sequel. This can happen despite the dark path that Mordo took in Doctor Strange. Of course, this doesn’t mean he’ll be a hero. It could be that Strange and Mordo will begin the movie on opposite sides, but the plot of the movie could force them to put aside their differences. As for what would motivate Mordo to team up with Strange again, the reason could be connected to his new opinions on magic. Mordo may have turned his back on magic, but he still believes in protecting nature. Whatever unfolds in Doctor Strange 2 could threaten nature and perhaps the multiverse itself as well. Mordo may help Strange simply because he feels he has no other choice.

Mordo could act an interesting wild card in the movie, as he’d be a character not unlike Loki (Tom Hiddleston), where there’s always a risk that he has evil designs of his own. For Mordo, this would be a better creative direction than making him Strange’s enemy. Since the main villain is likely Nightmare, Dormammu, or a different magical entity of great power, there’s a good chance that Mordo would be relegated to the role of a secondary antagonist – unless Marvel puts himself on the side of the heroes. Having him fight alongside Strange and Scarlet Witch would certainly give him plenty to do in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

More: MCU Theory: Doctor Strange 2 Will Reveal Mordo Was Dusted By Thanos