Doctor Strange’s Sorcerer Supreme Fate Spells Doom For Wong

Doctor Strange’s fate as the MCU’s best Sorcerer Supreme could require Wong to die. Stephen Strange is a naturally gifted Master of the Mystic Arts who has proved he’s worthy of becoming Sorcerer Supreme time and again. But after The Ancient One’s death, Wong steps up to receive the title. This title, however, will eventually be bestowed upon Doctor Strange, as in Avengers: Endgame, The Ancient One tells Smart Hulk that “Strange is meant to be the best of us.”

Indeed, Doctor Strange already single-handedly prevented Dormammu from consuming the MCU’s main reality, ensured Thanos’ Snap was reversed, successfully planned out Thanos’ defeat, stopped Scarlet Witch, and sent Spider-Man’s multiversal villains back to their home universes — all before becoming Sorcerer Supreme. Given that Doctor Strange’s fate as the best Sorcerer Supreme is established and that Wong obtained the title after The Ancient One’s death, Strange may only fulfill his destiny once Sorcerer Supreme Wong dies.

Wong May Have To Die So Doctor Strange Can Be Sorcerer Supreme

The Ancient One’s ownership of the Sorcerer Supreme title never expired despite her having lived several centuries — only her death allowed a new sorcerer to obtain it. Since Doctor Strange is unlikely to draw power from the Dark Dimension to extend his lifetime, his transformation into Sorcerer Supreme must happen within his mortal lifetime. Therefore, Doctor Strange may have to live through Wong’s death before it falls upon him to take the job. Like the Catholic Pope, the MCU’s Sorcerer Supreme may retain the title from when their predecessor dies until their last breath.

Wong’s death would also be the ultimate sign that Doctor Strange is ready to be the MCU’s lone protector. Even though Strange has saved the universe more than once, he’s still a rather careless and arrogant sorcerer. For example, he put the multiverse in peril when he tried to help Spider-Man regain his secret identity in Spider-Man: No Way Home. In addition, he failed to kill the Scarlet Witch before she escaped to a different universe in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Without Wong to support him, Doctor Strange would be forced to make wise but difficult decisions or suffer the consequences. After all, the Sorcerer Supreme must be not only powerful but also wise and selfless.

How The Sorcerer Supreme Is Chosen In Marvel Comics

In Marvel Comics, the Earth’s first sorcerer, Agamotto, was born from the tears of Oshtur, one of the three godlike entities called “The Vishanti.” Agamotto trained in the Mystic Arts and swore to protect humanity with magic, which led to the creation of the “Sorcerer Supreme” title. Once he was ready to pass on the torch, the sorcerer Genghis organized a tournament of wizards to find the one who deserved to follow in Agamotto’s footsteps.

However, the powerful Vishanti have taken it upon themselves to choose the Sorcerer Supreme depending on each sorcerer’s power, wisdom, and goodwill. They also decide when a Sorcerer Supreme must replace the previous one. Death is the most common reason a new Sorcerer Supreme steps up, but betrayal, disappearance, or unworthiness also call for a replacement. Some characters who have become Sorcerer Supreme in the comics include Merlin, the Queen of Sheba, Isaac Newton, Loki, and Clea. Yet, Doctor Strange continues to live after brief periods of absence from his Sorcerer Supreme duties.

How Wong Can Survive Doctor Strange Becoming Sorcerer Supreme

Wong’s death would push Doctor Strange forward in his MCU arc, but there are other ways Doctor Strange can finally become Sorcerer Supreme without losing his friend. For example, Wong could resign due to physical inability or losing faith in the job. Alternatively, Wong could sacrifice himself to fend off an interdimensional threat like Dormammu, only to return alive and well after Doctor Strange has already replaced him as Sorcerer Supreme. This option is similar to why Wong may have been chosen as Sorcerer Supreme, as Doctor Strange was absent for five years after being snapped by Thanos.

In the ideal scenario, Wong could find a technicality to pass on the torch without dying. In the worst scenario that doesn’t involve his death, Wong could be corrupted by an evil entity and forced to leave his Sorcerer Supreme duties to help the enemy. Either way, the world’s pressing need for a Sorcerer Supreme would likely lead to Doctor Strange’s acquisition of the title. Fortunately for the MCU, Doctor Strange “is meant to be the best” of the Sorcerers Supreme.