Doctor Strange turned to dust just moments after he uttered the title for the fourth Avengers movie. He gave up the Time Stone to Thanos, after vowing to Tony Stark and Peter Parker that he would rather let them die than to hand it over. His insight into the future caused him to eat his own words, and sacrifice his own life. Still, we know that many, if not all, the Avengers will return. A second Black Panther is in development, Spider-Man: Far From From has wrapped filming, and a Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is planned although they need a new director. Now, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the good Doctor will be making a return as well.
Scott Derrickson, who directed and co-wrote 2016's Doctor Strange, has finalized a deal to helm the sequel. For those who remember, Doctor Strange ended with Chiwetel Ejiofor's character, Baron Mordo, turning to the side of evil. In the comics, Mordo is the arch-nemesis of Strange, and there's little doubt that they will continue his story. Although Derrickson co-wrote the first film, Marvel is looking for someone new to pen the sequel. The film is speculated to begin production in 2020, with a May 2021 launch date in mind.