'Doctor Strange' Credits Scenes Explained: What Are They, And What Do They Mean For The MCU?
End credits scenes have become something of a Marvel Cinematic Universe tradition, ever since the first Iron Man used that space to introduce the "Avengers Initiative." And while Doctor Strange is a different kind of Marvel movie in a lot of ways, this is one custom it most definitely adheres to. Benedict Cumberbatch's first solo film as the Sorcerer Supreme ends with not one but two end credits scenes, which may require a bit of explanation for those who could use some brushing up on their MCU knowledge.
Find out what the Doctor Strange credits scenes are — and what they might mean for the future of the MCU — below. (Obviously, SPOILERS follow.)
Doctor Strange Credits Scenes #1: Strange Meets Thor
What's the scene?
The mid-credits scene puts us back with Strange in the Sanctum Sanctorum. A familiar-sounding voice pipes up from off camera: "So, Earth has wizards now?"
It's soon revealed that sitting across from Strange is Thor (Chris Hemsworth), looking comfy in his street clothes instead of his usual fancy Asgardian getup. There's some funny back and forth about what Thor's drinking — he starts out holding a cup of tea, but when he admits he doesn't care for it, Strange replaces it with a beer stein that magically refills itself — but the two quickly get down to business.
Strange tells Thor that he keeps a watchlist of individuals and being from other realms who may cause trouble on Earth, and asks why he's brought Loki to New York. Thor says something about "family drama" and explains they've come here to look for Odin. As soon as they've found him, Thor reassures Strange, they'll all return to Asgard. "Allow me to help you," replies Strange.
What does it mean?
A couple of months ago, set photos from Thor: Ragnarok showed Thor holding a business card with the address of the Sanctum Sanctorum, suggesting he might pay a visit to Strange in New York. The credits scene confirms that connection. And Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi reportedly shot this little moment, which could suggest it's actually a scene from that upcoming film (not unlike the way the Ant-Man credits showed us a scene from Captain America: Civil War).
In any case, the scene helps set up Thor: Ragnarok by explaining what Thor and Loki will be doing down on Earth. Odin, you'll recall, has been missing since the events of Thor: The Dark World, when we learned that the guy who looked like Odin on the throne at the end of the movie was actually Loki in disguise.
In addition, this could mean Strange will have a cameo or even a supporting role in Thor: Ragnarok — though we wouldn't count on the Asgardian brothers spending too much time on Earth, since we've already heard that "80 to 90 percent" of the film will take place off-planet.
Doctor Strange Credits Scenes #2: Mordo Goes Bad
What's the scene?
The second end-credits scene finds us in the workshop of Jonathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt), the former paraplegic whose miraculous recovery inspired Strange to embark on his own journey to Kamar-Taj. He's busy with something or other, but quickly realizes he's not alone. Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is there to have a not-so-friendly little chat.
Mordo confronts Pangborn about his using magic to heal himself. He goes on to say that in his time away, he's had "a revelation." He's realized that sorcerers pervert nature and twist reality, stealing power for selfish purposes.
By this point Pangborn has armed himself with a crowbar, but it's no use against Mordo's magical attack. Mordo robs Pangborn of his magic, re-crippling him. When Pangborn asks why, Mordo responds that the problem with the world is that there are "too many sorcerers."
What does it mean?
This whole sequence essentially confirms Mordo as the next Doctor Strange baddie — which would put him in line with his comic book counterpart, who is more straightforwardly villainous.
While Doctor Strange is an origin story for its title character, it also sneakily serves as an origin story for that character's next antagonist. In the third act of Doctor Strange, Mordo's rigid sense of morality and his idealistic faith in magic are deeply shaken by the revelation that his mentor, the Ancient One, has actually been drawing her power from the forbidden Dark Dimension. In the end credits, we see that he's continued down that path of doubt and bitterness, and turned on his former friends and his former profession.
So now we know what Mordo's been up to, but when we'll see him again remains unclear. It could be in the (not yet officially announced) Doctor Strange sequel, or perhaps in Avengers: Infinity War, which will bring back Strange and Wong. This being Marvel, though, there's also the chance he'll pop up in some other sub-franchise, like Thor: Ragnarok.