Although Mephisto is yet to make his official MCU debut, it seems Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness already teased his arrival. Mephisto is an immensely powerful Marvel villain with ties to characters such as Doctor Doom, Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider, and Spider-Man. Such an important character's live-action introduction is long overdue, and the MCU's apparent hints at Mephisto's presence still haven't gone anywhere. However, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seems to have taken a big yet silent step toward the Devil's first MCU appearance.

When Doctor Strange enters Sinister Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum, a pair of evil-looking faces can be seen carved on the gates. These faces are strikingly similar to Mephisto's comic book appearance, which usually sports wild spiky hair, fangs, and mutton chops. Mephisto might have pulled the strings behind Sinister Strange's downfall by manipulating him into using the Book of the Damned, and given that the MCU's version of the Darkhold is connected to Chthon, "the first demon," it's possible that Sinister Strange was serving both the Devil and one of his loyal servants without realizing it.

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Why Marvel Is Reluctant To Introduce Mephisto

Spider-Man and Scarlet Witch vs Mephisto in the MCU

The MCU has adapted at least two comic book storylines where Mephisto originally played a big role. First, the birth of Billy and Tommy Maximoff in WandaVision, which Scarlet Witch owes to Mephisto's soul in the source material; and second, Spider-Man's wish to erase everybody's memories in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which Mephisto grants him in the Marvel's One More Day comics. However, Mephisto was notably absent from these adaptations in the MCU. While Marvel Studios haven't explained why they have ignored Mephisto despite so many fan theories and apparent hints, the main reason may be quite simple.

The Infinity Saga didn't have any movie where a mystical character like Mephisto could have fit the story. Phases 1 and 2 focused on establishing a technologically advanced Earth and a vast universe filled with extraterrestrial life, while Phase 3 barely scratched the surface of the MCU's supernatural aspects with Doctor Strange's role in his debut movie, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. And now that Phase 4 has finally expanded its themes with mystical and supernatural titles like WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Multiverse Saga simply has been too densely packed to introduce the concept of Hell and the Devil himself.

Will The MCU Ever Introduce Mephisto?

Mephisto, The Hood, and Ghost Rider in Marvel Comics

The MCU's recent expansion into the supernatural has opened the door for characters like Man-Thing, Werewolf By Night, and the upcoming Blade, who slowly ease audiences into welcoming more iconic paranormal entities like Ghost Rider and Mephisto. As usual, Marvel is likely playing the long game, finding the best timing for each character and concept so that the audience can truly care about their place in the MCU. With the foundations already laid out, Mephisto's debut could come sooner rather than later. Mephisto's potential main villain role in Ironheart, possibly played by Sacha Baron Cohen if the rumors are true, could confirm that Mephisto did influence various MCU events, including the creation of the Darkhold and the corruption of those characters who dared to use it. The devilish faces in the Sanctum Sanctorum's doors in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness are a small detail, but they could be a big clue that Mephisto is closer than anybody imagines.

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