For the love of comics, do not let Marvel morb Doctor Strange 3

The MCU may have been going strong for years, but it sounds like some of its rumored new titles—especially if Doctor Strange: Time Runs Out is one of them—might be trying a bit too hard to feel fresh. Sequels are ditching the traditional number-based titles in favor of unique phrases, but this trend can be a hit-or-miss. Titles like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Thor: Ragnarok struck the right balance, hinting at major plot points while sounding exciting and relevant. But some recent names feel more like placeholders than inspired ideas, especially if the rumors for films like Fantastic Four: First Steps or Thor: Battle of the Gods turn out to be true.

Doctor Strange: Time Runs Out, for instance, doesn’t quite land as a thrilling title. Even though it’s based on a popular comic arc that leads to the Secret Wars storyline, the name feels a bit like a last-ditch effort—maybe even unintentionally signaling that Marvel could be stretching its storyline limits. However, the return of Sam Raimi as director would likely breathe new life into the story, considering the success of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And adding an actor like Denzel Washington as a human version of Dormammu would be a monumental win for the MCU, bringing star power and gravitas to the role of a central villain.

For now, though, all of this remains speculative. Let’s hope Marvel revisits the title, as it could benefit from a name that captures the thrill of Doctor Strange’s next adventure without sounding like the clock’s running out on creativity.