Doctor Strange Post-Credit Scene: What Does It Mean for Marvel?

After months of waiting and a whole lot of hype,Doctor Strangehas finally arrived in theaters. And if you’ve seen it, you are aware that Marvel has another hit on their hands. Another thing you are aware of is that there are two very important scenes during the credits, one in the middle and one at the end. In case there was any confusion about what either the mid or the post-credit scene fromDoctor Strangemeant, here is an explanation. If you haven’t seenDoctor Strangeyet, it might be best to read this later. For now, just know to stay for the entire credits.

Perhaps let us start by saying thatDoctor Strangeis already tearing it up at thebox office. According toBox Office Mojo, the movie has already made $132 million internationally and is poised for a massive opening weekend domestically. So that makes the inclusion of the mid-credits scene in the movie incredibly smart. Those who have seen it know that the scene essentially confirms thatBenedict Cumberbatchwill show up as Stephen Strange inThor: Ragnarok.

The mid-credits scene featuredDoctor Strangehanging out in the New YorkSanctum Sanctorumwith a guest. That guest just so happens to be Thor. As it turns out,Doctor Strangehas been keeping his eye on Thor’s no good trickster brother Loki, who is back in New york because they are both looking for their father Odin, who is in town for an unknown reason. That probably explains why that photo ofAnthony Hopkinsdressed like a homeless man was floating around a little while ago.Doctor Strangeinforms Thor that as the protector of Earth from other realms, he has little interest in allowing Loki to stay in New York for long. So, he offers to help Thor and Loki locate Odin.

For one, the scene was very entertaining and gives us a glimpse into whatStephen Strange’slarger rolein the MCU may be now that he is officially the Sorcerer Supreme. Also, it seems to be like the mid-credits scene inAnt-Man, which was actually just a small scene that was lifted fromCaptain America: Civil War. Our best guess is that this exact scene will show up inThor: Ragnarok. If that scene is anything to go off of,Thor: Ragnarokcould very well meet the high expectations that have been placed on it so far.

Now for the post-credits scene. Many casual Marvel fans, even well-read Marvel fans for that matter, aren’t overly familiar withDoctor Strangeoutside of crossover events. Those that were found it interesting that he was allied withChiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo. In the comics, Mordo has historically been one of Stephen Strange’s most formidable enemies. As it turns out, this first movie was just setting up Baron Mordo as a villain for the future.

At the end of the movie,Baron Mordobecomes disillusioned and upset with the teachings of the mystic arts he dedicated his life to under The Ancient One. After finding out that she had been drawing power from the Dark Dimension in order to stay alive and after Stephen Strange used manipulation of natural laws (time rewinding spells) to defeat Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and Dormammu, Mordo bailed on Strange and Wong, seeming very distraught.

So as for the post-credits scene itself, we get to see that Mordo is in full on bad guy mode. We see him locating Jonathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt), otherwise known as the guy who fixed his spine with magic. Once Mordo finds him, he straight up drains Jonathan of his magical power, once again rendering his spine broken, unable to walk. He then says that the problem with the world is that there are “too many sorcerers.” That would seem to imply that he is going to steal power from other users of the mystic arts in order to increase his own power so that he can take downDoctor Strange. Best guess? He will be the villain inDoctor Strange 2.

There has been a lot of complaints about the villains in the MCU, soScott Derricksondoing what he did with Mordo was kind of great, because there will be a serious emotional core and motivation when he returns, be it inDoctor Strange 2or wherever that may be. It wouldn’t at all be surprising if Marvel announces a sequel toDoctor Strangesometime in the near future, since it is already cleaning up at the box office and the response from both fans and critics has been overwhelmingly positive.Doctor Strangeis in theaters now.