If we’re entering the multiverse again, we have to expect several different variants of Doctor Strange. Prominently depicted in the trailer so far are the dark Strange Supreme and the grotesque Zombie Strange. But did you spot another variant in there?
If you did notice Strange rocking a suave man-bun and accounted that for just a style-change, I’m here to tell you that it was actually another variant that is popularly known as “Defender Strange.”
Defender Strange is a comic book version of Doctor Strange who first created and chaired the Defenders, a team of superheroes fighting mystic and supernatural threats. In Doctor Strange 2, he is expected to appear as a “variant” of Strange from another dimension.
So, there are couple of things to explain here — Starting with the fact that in the comics, Defender Strange is not a “variant,” but just another version/portrayal of Strange who was associated with the Defenders.
As with other variants that will appear in Doctor Strange 2, we are in the dark about Defender Strange’s motives or storyline. But here are some things we do know about him:
Defender Strange’s Powers Explained
Defender Strange does not canonically have any different powers than Strange in the MCU. He is just as proficient in Eldritch magic, portal creation, reality manipulation and warping, astral projection, entering the Mirror Dimension, among other things.
But they could try to set him apart by giving him some new abilities, or on the contrary, make him a little less accomplished than MCU’s Strange.
As far as telling if he’s one of the good guys — My money is on that he is, especially considering the comics. In the trailer he was seen working to solve a problem with America Chavez and I don’t think he was deceiving her.
We already have Strange Supreme and Zombie Doctor Strange who typically always seem to be up to no good. I’m not saying Strange can’t handle a third antagonistic version of himself, but it would just be an overkill if Defender Strange turns out to be bad as well.
Will the Defenders appear in Doctor Strange 2?
The Defenders are usually called a “non-team” of superheroes, because they didn’t really gel well together, weren’t a formal organization and didn’t have any rules. Strange formed the group, doled out assignments and the superheroes usually worked on them on their own.
Since it was Strange handling matters, most threats were supernatural in essence.
Marvel already had a TV show on the Defenders with the line up being Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. None of them were Defenders in the comics, but ever since Daredevil’s appearance in Spider-Man NWH, we have to continue considering them the Defenders in the MCU.
So will either the comic book Defenders or the TV show Defenders make an appearance in Doctor Strange 2? There’s nothing stopping Sam Raimi from dropping an Easter egg/cameo or two.
I would just caution you not to expect them to appear, in case you they don’t go down that route.
About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the sequel to the 2016 movie Doctor Strange. The film is directed by Sam Raimi with a screenplay by Jade Bartlett and Michael Waldron.
It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez.
The sequel revolves around the dangerous consequences of Doctor Strange opening the multiverse.
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