Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse director Peter Ramsey argues the MCU's Spider-Man 3 doesn't need Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) as a mentor figure. Tom Holland's third solo outing as Peter Parker is reportedly gearing up to start production this month, well ahead of its December 2021 debut. Plot details are still slim, but it's expected that things will pick up from Spider-Man: Far From Home's cliffhanger, where Peter's identity was revealed to the world as he was framed for Mysterio's (Jake Gyllenhaal) murder. Director Jon Watts will return, and a few familiar faces on the other side of the camera will make appearances too.

Just last week, news broke that Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange will play a role in the MCU's Spider-Man 3. This keeps up with the tradition of the solo Spider-Man films featuring a larger MCU character. Spider-Man: Homecoming had Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), while Far From Home included Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Both Tony and Fury became mentors to young Peter, and it currently seems like Doctor Strange is poised to become yet another guiding figure for him.

Related: Spider-Man 3 Theory: It’s MCU Spider-Verse

While some might enjoy seeing the mentor trend continue, others feel it is unnecessary. Ramsey, one of the co-directors of the critically-acclaimed Into the Spider-Verse, shared his thoughts about Doctor Strange's Spider-Man 3 role on social media. "I hope he's just a 'special guest star'," Ramsey wrote. He continued by saying he doesn't know why Peter always needs a mentor, pointing out that "one of the things I always liked in the old comics was that he was a loner, grappling with things on his own, not beloved or accepted like the Avengers or the FF."

Ramsey makes a very fair point. In the comics, and even in his previous big screen adventures, Spider-Man has found his own path with minimal guidance from any father figures. When it comes to the MCU's Spidey, he was introduced through Tony discovering and supporting him, so it does make sense that Tony would go on to serve as a mentor. However, Peter and Tony's relationship was special; now that Tony's gone, Marvel is seemingly trying to replicate it with other adults like Doctor Strange, but no one can properly fill Tony's shoes. It might be best to just let it go.

On the other hand, perhaps Ramsey's hope that Doctor Strange will merely be a special guest in Spider-Man 3 will prove correct. Many have noted that, with the inclusion of Jamie Foxx's Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, this next installment can begin the MCU's exploration of the multiverse. Doctor Strange's next solo flick is expected to deal with the multiverse in a big way, and his presence in Spider-Man 3 might be to just set up Multiverse of Madness. It's hard to say what direction Marvel will take this in at the current moment, but perhaps more clues will emerge in the coming months as Spider-Man 3 heads into production.

More: Will Andrew Garfield Return For Spider-Man 3 Too?

Source: Peter Ramsey/Twitter