Avengers: Secret Wars Theory: Doctor Strange to Replace Molecule Man as a Crucial Villain
A new MCU theory suggests that Avengers: Secret Wars may replace a crucial Marvel Comics villain with a powerful hero who has recently been posing a danger to the multiverse. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige first announced the development of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2022, but details regarding the final project in the MCU's Phase 6 and Multiverse Saga have since been scarce. Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron is attached to the project, but not much else is known about Marvel Studios' Avengers: Secret Wars, though the project is expected to be adapted from Marvel Comics' two epic storylines of the same name.
Marvel Studios' Avengers: Secret Wars: A Multiverse-Spanning Epic
A new theory has emerged in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fan community, suggesting a significant alteration to the portrayal of a crucial villain in the upcoming film Avengers: Secret Wars. This theory has sparked discussions and speculation among fans, prompting a closer examination of the potential narrative direction for the highly anticipated project. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige first unveiled the development of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2022, marking a pivotal addition to the MCU's Phase 6 and Multiverse Saga. However, specific details about the final project have remained shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eager for any new insights. Notably, the project is expected to draw inspiration from Marvel Comics' two epic storylines of the same name, hinting at a multiverse-spanning epic that could redefine the MCU as we know it.
Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange in the street in Avengers Infinity War
The original Secret Wars event in 1984 brought together a diverse array of heroes and villains on Battleworld, a result of the Beyonder's desire for entertainment. In contrast, the 2015 Secret Wars storyline depicted the Marvel Universe in the throes of an incursion, leading to the formation of a new Battleworld after a cataclysmic event. Marvel Studios appears to be drawing inspiration from this latter storyline, with incursions already hinted at, and Avengers: Secret Wars speculated to play a role in soft-rebooting the MCU, akin to the impact of the Marvel Comics storyline.
Molecule Man in pink room in Marvel Comics
However, one crucial element from the 2015 Secret Wars appears to be absent from the MCU's adaptation. This missing piece of the puzzle has raised intriguing questions and led to a compelling new theory about the potential replacement of a pivotal Marvel Comics character with a powerful hero who has recently posed a threat to the multiverse.
Molecule Man during 2015's Secret Wars event in Marvel Comics
Doctor Strange: A Surprising Replacement for Molecule Man
In Marvel Comics' Secret Wars storyline from 2015, a character known as Molecule Man played a pivotal role, revealing his origin as a creation of the otherworldly Beyonders, designed as a singularity across every reality. This revelation had profound implications, as it meant that each universe had its own Molecule Man, and the survival of these individuals was intrinsically linked to the preservation of their respective universes. As the MCU gears up for Avengers: Secret Wars, the absence of Molecule Man has sparked intriguing discussions about a potential replacement for this crucial character.
Molecule Man eating a burger in 2015's Secret Wars in Marvel Comics
One compelling theory, put forth by a Reddit user named Handsart, suggests that Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange could step into the role originally inhabited by Molecule Man. Throughout the Multiverse Saga, Doctor Strange has exhibited a propensity for disrupting the fabric of reality, inadvertently causing incursions and universal destruction. This pattern of behavior aligns with the traits of Molecule Man in the Marvel Comics storyline, leading to speculation that Doctor Strange may assume the role of the missing villain in Avengers: Secret Wars, becoming a central figure in the multiverse-spanning narrative.
Molecule Man with Doctor Doom in Marvel Comics
The timing of this potential narrative development is particularly intriguing, as Avengers: Secret Wars is not scheduled for release until May 2027. This leaves room for Marvel Studios to introduce Molecule Man into live-action ahead of the Phase 6 crossover project. However, the absence of any mention of Molecule Man thus far in the MCU has raised doubts about the character's inclusion, prompting further speculation about the role of Doctor Strange in the upcoming epic.
Doctor Doom speaking to Molecule Man in 2015's Secret Wars event in Marvel Comics
Doctor Doom and the MCU: A Subversive Introduction
In the Marvel Comics storyline, Molecule Man is manipulated by Doctor Doom, who harnesses the power of the Beyonders and becomes the formidable 'God Emperor Doom' of Battleworld. This narrative arc presents an opportunity for a fascinating adaptation in the MCU, particularly with regard to the potential introduction of Doctor Doom. The theory surrounding Avengers: Secret Wars posits that Doctor Doom's character could be seamlessly woven into the narrative, with a subversive twist that aligns with previous MCU developments.
Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange and Valeria Richards in Marvel Comics' Secret Wars event in 2015
The portrayal of Doctor Doom in the MCU could be a subversive one, as he embarks on a quest to track down dangerous variants of Doctor Strange across the multiverse, mirroring the actions of his comic book counterpart in pursuit of Molecule Man. This approach not only aligns with the overarching narrative of the Multiverse Saga but also sets the stage for Doctor Doom's much-anticipated debut in the MCU. The potential link to the Fantastic Four, a property long associated with the iconic villain, further strengthens the plausibility of this narrative direction, hinting at a compelling future for the MCU.
