Warning: Spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Now that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has hit theaters, it sets up everything we know so far about Doctor Strange 3. With the original Avengers and their allies largely riding off into the sunset and being replaced with legacy heroes, it wasn't clear whether or not Doctor Strange 2 would be Benedict Cumberbatch's last ride as the Master of the Mystic Arts. But the sequel set up plenty for Doctor Strange 3, should it happen.

Most assumed that Doctor Strange 2 would find the Illuminati bringing Stephen Strange to trial for his spell in Spider-Man: No Way Home cracking the multiverse. But that wasn't quite the case, with Strange's trip through the multiverse with America Chavez and the crimes of the other Doctor Strange being the actions the Illuminati were most concerned with. In fact, they viewed Doctor Strange as far more of a threat than actual villain Scarlet Witch and the Darkhold spellbook.

Related: How Much Doctor Strange 2 Cost (& How Much For Box Office Success)

But even though Multiverse of Madness wasn't quite was audiences were expecting, that doesn't mean it didn't put the pieces for Doctor Strange 3 into place. In fact, it set up a potentially really exciting focus for a third movie. Here's everything we know about Doctor Strange 3, including potential cast, story, and release date.

Will Doctor Strange 3 Happen?

Doctor Strange 2 Post-Credits Scenes Explained

Marvel has been tight-lipped about any movies past those that have already been announced for Phase 4. Still, as long as Benedict Cumberbatch is game to return, there's no reason for Marvel not to greenlight Doctor Strange 3. Now that the decade-long Infinity Gauntlet arc has been wrapped up with Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios hasn't been in as much of a rush to announce projects in development ASAP. So while Doctor Strange 3 could be confirmed shortly after the MCU's Multiverse of Madness's release, it's also entirely possible that the studio will take its time to ensure that a solid story is in place first before announcing another movie.

Doctor Strange 3 Cast: Which MCU Actors & Characters Will Return?

Doctor Strange 2

Obviously, any Doctor Strange 3 movie will mean the return of Benedict Cumberbatch. Likewise, it's a certainty that Benedict Wong would also return as the Sorcerer Supreme, Wong. After that, the locks for Doctor Strange 3's cast get a little murky. With her getting a bigger role in Doctor Strange 2, it's entirely possible that Rachel McAdams' Christine Palmer will return to help Doctor Strange once again, as could Xochitl's Goméz's America Chavez. Likewise, Chiwetel Ejiofor's Mordo could return, whether the Illuminati version or the original MCU version. Doctor Strange 2's mid-credits scene also confirmed a new character from the comics who will finally be making her MCU debut: Clea, played by Charlize Theron.

Doctor Strange 3 Story: What Multiverse Of Madness' Ending Sets Up

Doctor strange 2 detail sets up Secret wars for Avengers 5

The Multiverse of Madness mid-credits scene sets the stage for what Doctor Strange 3's story might be. As Clea explains to him, Doctor Strange's actions in the sequel have created an incursion; that is, two universes have collided. In the comics' second "Secret Wars" event, after the first incursion happened, other universes rushed in to fill the vacuum left by the universe that had ceased to exist. This created a chain reaction of incursions that led to the entire multiverse collapsing in on itself. It's likely this is what Clea has sought out Doctor Strange to help stop.

Related: Doctor Strange's Third Eye: New Multiverse of Madness Powers Explained

There's also the lingering question of just what Mordo has been up to in the MCU since the first Doctor Strange six years ago. At some point, Mordo will return, especially now that the good doctor has dabbled with the Darkhold. That said, it's entirely possible that the events of the past few years may have softened his stance on things and he'll team up with Strange to stop the incursion, instead.

Doctor Strange 3 Release Date Prediction

10 biggest spoilers doctor strange multiverse of madness

If Doctor Strange 3 does happen, it won't see theater screens for quite some time. Marvel already has their movie release dates mapped out through the end of 2023. There are also movies in development, such as Fantastic Four, Blade, and Captain America 4, that have not yet received release dates but are well into development. Even if Marvel were already working on Doctor Strange 3, audiences shouldn't expect to see it before late 2024, though 2025 or 2026 is more likely.

Next: All 12 MCU Movies Releasing After Doctor Strange 2 (& When)

Key Release Dates