Summary
- Doctor Strange’s post-credits scene hints at a potential teaming up with Ghost Rider in a MCU crossover.
- A Doctor Strange/Ghost Rider team could lay the groundwork for Marvel’s Midnight Sons in the MCU.
- Moon Knight, Black Knight, and Blade could be added to the supernatural team for potential crossovers.
An exciting Phase 4 theory suggests that Doctor Strange is perfectly primed to bring together a supernatural team of heroes in the MCU that could rival the Avengers. Following the events of 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Master of the Mystic Arts had unlocked his third eye and was ready to embark on a brand-new adventure to prevent multiverse incursions. To that end, this new adventure could easily put him face to face with another supernatural MCU hero who hasn’t been seen in seven years.
While the franchise is quite large with over 30 movies and even more shows and specials, the supernatural side of the MCU hasn’t been explored as much as other regions. Projects like Marvel’s Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night have served to be great starts and future MCU features like Agatha and Blade are solid signs that Marvel intends to keep going with the supernatural explorations. With that in mind, the end of Multiverse of Madness may have secretly set up the perfect means for Doctor Strange to begin building the Midnight Sons with none other than Ghost Rider.
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How Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Potentially Sets Up Ghost Rider’s MCU Return
Incursions In The Dark Dimension
As seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ post-credits scene, Earth-616’s Doctor Strange was dealing with the surprise unlocking of his third eye, a potential consequence due to his use of the Darkhold against the Scarlet Witch. However, Strange is also approached by Charlize Theoron’s Clea, the Sorcerer Supreme from the Dark Dimension (and Strange’s primary love interest in the comics). Claiming that Strange caused a multiversal incursion they were going to have to fix it together, the post-credits scene ends with Clea and Strange jumping through a rift into the Dark Dimension itself.
This is rather interesting considering what little is known about the Dark Dimension (and who lives there). Not only is the Dark Dimension the domain of Dormammu as seen in the first Doctor Strange movies, but it’s also the birthplace of the Spirit of Vengeance. As seen in the fourth season of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, the powerful Spirit of Vengeance had bonded itself to Robbie Reyes (Diego Luna), transforming him into the MCU’s Ghost Rider (complete with his fiery Hellcharger).
After working with Phil Coulson and his team, Ghost Rider ventured back to the Dark Dimension in the season finale along with the copy of the Darkhold that had served as one of season 4’s primary threats. As such, it’s quite possible that Doctor Strange and the Ghost Rider could have an encounter in a potential Doctor Strange 3, one that could set up an even bigger crossover down the line. It would also go a long way in confirming Agents of SHIELD’s canonical status with Earth-616, just like the MCU has recently done with the various Netflix Marvel shows.
A Doctor Strange/Ghost Rider Team-Up Could Be The Foundation For Marvel’s Midnight Sons
A Major Marvel Supernatural Team For The MCU
Doctor Strange and Ghost Rider joining forces would be a very exciting team-up for the MCU. However, it could also serve as a dynamic foundation for the Midnight Sons. A predominate team of supernatural heroes in the comics’ Marvel Universe, the Midnight Sons could be an exciting focal point for the MCU as it continues expanding into more supernatural areas.
Doctor Strange’s established tenure and power levels in the MCU would make the most sense as the natural leader for the on-screen team, just as he is often on the page. To that end, the natural connection point between Strange and Ghost Rider meeting in the Dark Dimension would be a very exciting way for the MCU to set the foundations for an eventual crossover. While future team-up movies like Thunderbolts* can tackle more grounded crises, something like a Midnight Sons crossover could take on threats of the magical and supernatural variety.
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The MCU Has Plenty Of Heroes Primed For A Supernatural Team
Let’s Get Them All Together
Beyond Doctor Strange, Clea, and Ghost Rider, there are plenty of prime candidates for an MCU Midnights Sons team. Moon Knight is the most likely additional member following the first season of his Disney+ series and his powers from the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. A team-up movie could also be the perfect place for Kit Harrington’s Black Knight as well as a new appearance for Mahershala Ali’s Blade following his debut film set to release in 2025, while a team-up would make a lot of sense for Werewolf by Night’s Jack Russell, Man-Thing, and the monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone. Either way, the beginning of the team’s origins with Doctor Strange and a potential encounter with Ghost Rider in the Dark Dimension would be a very exciting foundation for the potential Midnight Sons MCU team.