The enigmatic Baron Mordo, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, remains a compelling figure within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), particularly after the events of the first Doctor Strange movie. While a variant appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the destiny of Earth-616’s Mordo continues to be shrouded in mystery, leaving fans to speculate about his whereabouts and future within the MCU. In the Doctor Strange sequel, Stephen Strange and America Chavez journeyed to Earth-838 to evade the wrath of the Scarlet Witch, encountering that reality’s Sorcerer Supreme, Baron Karl Mordo. The initial Doctor Strange film in 2016 established a complex relationship between Strange and Mordo, beginning as camaraderie but devolving into animosity. The post-credit scene of the Phase 3 MCU film revealed Mordo’s new path: a crusade to purge the world of sorcerers, a mission born from his disillusionment with the Ancient One and the perceived misuse of magic.
However, following Doctor Strange, Mordo vanished from the narrative, absent from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Though a variant was present, the original MCU Mordo’s story was left unresolved. Multiverse of Madness offered a fleeting acknowledgment of Earth-616 Mordo when Doctor Strange mentioned his rival’s obsession with killing him, hinting at potential off-screen conflicts between the two sorcerers since their initial encounter. Chiwetel Ejiofor has confirmed Mordo’s survival of Thanos’ snap in Avengers: Infinity War, stating the character was “engaged” at the time, further fueling speculation about his activities during this period and beyond.
Delving into Earth-616 Mordo’s Activities
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo in Doctor Strange, standing solemnly
It’s reasonable to assume Mordo’s “engagement” refers to his ongoing mission to hunt down sorcerers and strip them of their power, mirroring his actions against Jonathan Pangborn in Doctor Strange. Mordo’s villainy is nuanced; he doesn’t indiscriminately target all magic users. Instead, he focuses on those he perceives as corrupting the natural order. His targets include figures like the Ancient One, for drawing power from the Dark Dimension, Doctor Strange, for wielding the Time Stone, and Pangborn, for using magic to regain mobility. This selective approach suggests a twisted moral justification for his actions. Mordo believes he is restoring balance by eliminating what he sees as dangerous and unethical magic users.
The lack of Mordo’s presence in the MCU since Doctor Strange raises questions about the success and impact of his crusade. While he could have accumulated considerable power during this time, neither Doctor Strange nor Wong, the MCU’s new Sorcerer Supreme, appear overtly concerned about Mordo’s activities in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The defenses of Kamar-Taj seemed robust during the Scarlet Witch’s assault, implying no significant depletion of sorcerer ranks due to Mordo. However, the emergence of incursions and threats to the stability of reality could provide a compelling reason for Mordo’s return. His rigid adherence to natural order might compel him to intervene in situations he deems violations of that order, making him a potential, albeit morally ambiguous, player in future MCU events.
Mordo’s Near Demise and Potential MCU Return
Despite his absence, Mordo’s return to the MCU remains probable. Interestingly, concept art for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness revealed an initial plan to kill off Mordo at the hands of the Scarlet Witch. Given Mordo’s self-imposed code, targeting the Scarlet Witch, corrupted by the Darkhold and wielding chaotic magic in her multiversal search for her children, would align with his character. However, in the final cut, this scene was omitted. This decision leaves the door open for Mordo to resurface and reignite his adversarial relationship with Stephen Strange.
The Unexplored Potential of Mordo in the MCU
While the delayed exploration of Mordo’s storyline after the setup in Doctor Strange‘s post-credits scene is a point of disappointment for some, the potential for his character to play a crucial role in a prospective Doctor Strange 3 is significant. The conclusion of Multiverse of Madness saw Strange venturing with Clea into the Dark Dimension, the domain of Dormammu, the primary antagonist of the first film. This development presents an intriguing opportunity for Mordo’s re-integration into the narrative, particularly concerning Dormammu’s potential return.
Dormammu’s appearance in Doctor Strange was memorable for its otherworldly visual representation, diverging from his more humanoid depiction in Marvel Comics. Should Dormammu feature prominently in Doctor Strange 3, adopting a humanoid form for easier interaction becomes plausible. In this scenario, Dormammu might seek a host, willing or unwilling, to manifest physically. While Mordo would likely never willingly collaborate with Dormammu, the cosmic entity might not require consent.
Considering Benedict Cumberbatch voiced Dormammu in Doctor Strange, recasting the role for a physical manifestation is anticipated. Although Kaecilius, Dormammu’s devoted follower, might seem a more logical choice for possession, Mordo offers a more compelling narrative avenue. Dormammu’s possession of Mordo could serve as a catalyst to either deepen his villainy or initiate a path towards redemption, providing a nuanced arc for a character whose story has remained largely dormant since Doctor Strange. This approach could effectively weave together Mordo’s magic-hunting quest and the looming threat of the Dark Dimension, enriching the tapestry of the MCU and setting the stage for compelling future storylines involving Doctor Strange and his complex relationship with Mordo.
