In my humble opinion, casting Denzel Washington as Dormammu in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would undoubtedly be a masterstroke of epic proportions. Washington’s versatility as an actor, proven by his Academy Award-winning performance in Training Day, makes him a perfect fit for portraying such a formidable villain. His presence would undeniably lend a sense of weight and credibility to the character that could elevate any scene he appears in.
In the Marvel Universe, there are some formidable villains such as Doctor Doom, Magneto, Thanos, Kang the Conqueror, and the Green Goblin. However, these characters pale in comparison to the cosmic and supernatural threats that dwell within the universe. These threats are colossal in scale and have been around for eternities, from the universe-consuming Galactus to Knull, the god of symbiotes, and Mephisto, a demonic entity. Among these titanic adversaries is Dormammu, an interdimensional demon who frequently clashes with Doctor Strange, demonstrating his immense power as one of the sorcerer’s recurring foes.
2016’s “Doctor Strange” provided a sneak peek at the antagonist, Dormammu, who was being manipulated by Kaecilius (played by Mads Mikkelsen). In this movie, Doctor Strange clashed with Dormammu using the Time Stone. Although it appeared that Dormammu was vanquished, there are whispers that he may return as the chief antagonist in “Doctor Strange 3”. Interestingly, Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Doctor Strange, handled the motion capture and voice work for Dormammu’s single scene in the initial film. However, speculations abound that Marvel is considering Academy Award winner Denzel Washington to portray this character in the third installment. Here’s a look at Dormmamu’s background and why his return could be significant.
Dormammu’s Comic Book Origins
Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced Dormammu in “Strange Tales” #126, published in November 1964. Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension, was foreshadowed earlier as a faceless entity behind Baron Karl Mordo’s bid to seize power from The Ancient One. Dormammu is a recurring antagonist for Doctor Strange. He is the uncle of Clea, a long-standing love interest of Doctor Strange, who is also a sorceress hailing from the Dark Dimension. Umar, another adversary of Doctor Strange and mother to Clea, is Dormammu’s sister.
Originally hailing from beyond the Faltine race, Dormammu and his sister were banished to the Dark Dimension. Over time, Dormammu merged with the local “Flames of Regency,” which granted him extraordinary abilities and transformed his skull into a blazing symbol of his power.
In their initial clash depicted in the comics, Dormammu, lord of the Dark Dimension, proved superior to Doctor Strange in battle. However, this victory came at a cost as it depleted his defense due to the drain on power from his own realm. Doctor Strange had assisted Dormammu in keeping hordes of Mindless Ones from entering and overtaking the Dark Dimension. As a token of gratitude, Dormammu was forced to promise he would not attack or pose a threat to Earth. Though Dormammu kept his word, he harbored resentment for being outmaneuvered by Doctor Strange.
If this scenario seems familiar, it’s likely because it bears a strong resemblance to Doctor Strange’s confrontation with Dormammu in the movie “Doctor Strange.” Remember, in that instance, Strange managed to outsmart Dormammu by using the Time Stone to create an infinite loop where Dormammu would destroy Strange, but could not escape. During this encounter, Strange famously said, “Dormammu, I’ve come to bargain.” He offered Dormammu a deal: if Dormammu stopped his attack on Earth and vowed never to return, Strange would break the spell. Surprisingly, Dormammu agreed.
Could Dormammu Return to the MCU?
In the comics, Dormammu found a way to keep attacking Earth indirectly by delegating tasks to others. Although he’s bound by an agreement, he can still use others as his agents. Baron Mordo serves as Dormammu’s top disciple in the comics, and in “Spider-Man: The Animated Series,” he even had Venom and Carnage working for him. It’s possible that this strategy could be employed in the MCU, perhaps leading to Baron Mordo’s villainous transformation hinted at in the end credits of “Doctor Strange.” However, the MCU might not depict Dormammu attacking Earth; instead, Doctor Strange may need to revisit the Dark Dimension, as established in 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
In the after-credits scene of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, Clea (played by Charlize Theron) confronts Doctor Strange. She accuses him of causing an intrusion and commands him to accompany her to rectify the situation. Strange agrees, and when Clea creates a portal, viewers recognize it as the Dark Dimension from the initial “Doctor Strange” movie. This implies that Doctor Strange will revisit the Dark Dimension and potentially confront Dormmamu once more.
This hints at possible developments for “Doctor Strange 3.” It appears that the Dark Dimension is being disrupted by invasions, which could lead to two scenarios: either Dormammu has enlisted Doctor Strange to rectify the situation or is planning retaliation against Earth, as Strange’s actions may have invalidated their previous agreement. Given that both Dormammu and Clea are now in play, it’s likely that “Doctor Strange 3” will introduce Umar, Dormammu’s sister and Clea’s mother, adding a new layer of complexity to the relationships among these characters. It’s also confirmed that Clea will be Doctor Strange’s romantic interest going forward, so even amidst this interdimensional crisis, there will be some family-related complications.
Is Denzel Washington Joining the MCU?
Currently, there’s no verified information about Doctor Strange 3 or Denzel Washington joining its cast. Given the massive success of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which grossed $955 million globally, it’s plausible that a third installment may be on the horizon. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has already attracted A-list actors like Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, and most recently Harrison Ford. Adding Denzel Washington to the roster would certainly be a significant achievement for the studio. Known for his exceptional talent and numerous accolades, Washington has been associated with superhero projects in the past, but has yet to appear in one. So, while it’s exciting to speculate, let’s wait for official confirmation before treating this as fact.
If Marvel Studios managed to cast Denzel Washington as the antagonist, Dormammu, in the upcoming Doctor Strange film, it would be a significant triumph for the studio. Although Washington is widely recognized for his portrayal of heroic and honorable characters, he is equally skilled at playing villains, as demonstrated by his Academy Award-winning performance in Training Day. Having Washington play Dormamu would add gravitas and authenticity to the character, making for a remarkable acting duo with Benedict Cumberbatch.
The query persists: Why did Marvel opt for an actor as skilled as Washington to portray a villain who has already been in the MCU instead of introducing a new antagonist? If they had chosen him for a recurring role, why not make him assume the position of Kang the Conqueror? Many fans would have welcomed Washington as Kang. Instead, it seems Marvel Studios have found another character to take on the role of Kang (Doctor Doom), while also hinting at a significant role for Dormammu in the MCU’s future.
How Dormammu Might Be Important to the Future of the Multiverse Saga
It’s suggested that with Doctor Strange 3 possibly reintroducing Dormammu, the demonic entity could play a significant part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future as part of the Multiverse Saga. However, there are certain projects where we can safely assume Dormammu won’t be involved. For instance, Dormammu’s ties to the magical artifact have been replaced by Mephisto in Ironheart, a character rumored to be portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen in an upcoming MCU series. Similarly, Agatha All Along is expected to focus on Mephisto instead of Dormammu due to its connection to the character mentioned in the series title.
Including Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe may signal the direction the MCU is taking with Dormammu. In “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, it was shown that threats such as incursions are becoming more frequent and could potentially overwhelm a dimension as massive as the Dark Dimension. This implies that even a powerful entity like Dormammu might be unable to halt these incursions, leaving him with two options: either abandon his deteriorating realm or risk other worlds by engaging in the battle against the incursion himself.
In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, the arrival of cosmic beings such as Dormammu, Mephisto, Galactus, and others could potentially ignite a war among them. Meanwhile, they seem oblivious to the impending threat posed by Doctor Doom. If these titanic entities were to annihilate each other, it would set the stage for Doctor Doom, a mere human, to rise as a god and command these ancient forces on Battleworld. This hypothetical scenario would be quite a spectacle, with gods demolishing one another, paving the way for a mortal’s rise to deity status.
It’s prudent for Marvel Studios to consider establishing a foundation for bringing back Dormammu, a formidable villain, in future projects. Although he was defeated in the initial Doctor Strange film, it seems a pity to not explore his potential again, especially if Denzel Washington were to portray him. In the events following Avengers: Secret Wars, Dormammu could serve as an adversary capable of challenging a new group of heroes such as the Young Avengers, The Fantastic Four, the X-Men, or the Midnight Suns.
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2024-10-17 04:02