Summary

• The Doctor Strange variant with the third eye likely got it from using the Darkhold, hinting at a possible evil future.
• Doctor Strange's third eye is rooted in Marvel Comics mythology and represents a higher level of consciousness and mystical power.
• The MCU may be setting up a transformation for Doctor Strange into a villain through morally gray decisions despite destroying the Darkhold.

Doctor Strange's third eye at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may not be what it seems, but why does he get it to begin with? Doctor Strange has an extensive variety of magical abilities, ranging from teleportation and spell casting to astral projection and transmutation. However, Doctor Strange's third eye, a tool that the Ancient One only hinted at during their first encounter in 2016's Doctor Strange, had never really appeared in the MCU before the Master of the Mystic Arts' battle against the Scarlet Witch.

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The only other character known to possess this eye is Sinister Strange, who got it after using the Darkhold of his universe to Dreamwalk into other realities and kill his multiversal variants. This seems to suggest that the third eye is a direct consequence of using the Darkhold, and that the Doctor Strange variant is doomed for a similar path. However, it may not be as straightforward as that. Doctor Strange's third eye wasn't invented for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It exists in Marvel Comics, and its MCU debut in the Doctor Strange 2 post-credits scene is a significant development for Stephen Strange.

The Third Eye Is A Doctor Strange Comics Mainstay

The Third Eye Represents The Wisdom Of Agamotto

In the comics, Doctor Strange's third eye is an organic manifestation of the Eye of Agamotto. It represents the wisdom of the sorcerer Agamotto and his fellow Vishanti, allowing Strange to see his enemies' true intentions and break magical illusions. Doctor Strange's third eye is originally a sign of a higher level of consciousness, and it can only be used by those whose souls are devoid of corruption.

However, the third eye might also entail the complete opposite within the MCU. Doctor Strange's third eye appeared on his forehead involuntarily not long after using the Darkhold, which corrupts any being that uses it, regardless of how powerful or pure they are. It pulled Agatha Harkness and Scarlet Witch into villainy, and Doctor Strange grew a third eye despite limiting his exposure to it.

Yet, some details not only contradict this dark omen, but actually distinguish Doctor Strange as a magic user in the MCU. Notably, both Agatha Harkness and Scarlet Witch actively sought the Darkhold for a selfish purpose, and they didn't suffer many physical changes beyond their darkened fingers. On the other hand, Doctor Strange only used the Darkhold as a last resort to stop the Scarlet Witch. Granted, he committed the sin of Dreamwalking in the corpse of one of his multiversal variants, but that doesn't justify why his body was affected to the point of growing a third eye.

Besides, the Ancient One's command to open Doctor Strange's third eye in the first movie suggests this ability is actually beneficial. So, it's possible that the sinister power of the Darkhold isn't directly responsible for Doctor Strange's new eye. Instead, it may have accelerated the development of a special ability accessible only to sorcerers as powerful or as destined for greatness as Doctor Strange and Vishanti.

Is Doctor Strange Turning Evil Now?

Multiple Doctor Strange Variants Have Been Corrupt

Doctor Strange seems to be in full control of his third eye by the time of Clea's debut in the Doctor Strange 2 post-credits scene, but this may just be a setup for the eventual reveal that he will become evil. In the past, Stephen has been both reckless with near-limitless power and crucial to saving the multiverse, so it could go either way. Notably, Evil Strange is a recurring theme in Marvel Comics and the MCU alike, so the third eye may actually be hinting at a villainous Earth-616 Strange in the MCU's future.

Though the Darkhold being destroyed means less chance of Strange turning evil, Strange never really needed the Darkhold to make extremely questionable decisions, like giving Thanos the Time Stone. As there are already various evil versions of Doctor Strange, it's unlikely that Earth-616 Strange's path will be as clear-cut.

Instead, given the insight bestowed by Doctor Strange's third eye, his transformation into a villain will more likely involve morally gray decisions that can be considered both evil and ultimately necessary. The third eye doesn't necessarily indicate a Benedict Cumberbatch heel turn — but with Avengers: Secret Wars on the horizon, this could be exactly what the MCU needs.

Darkhold Diaries Could Explore The MCU Meaning Of Doctor Strange's Third Eye

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries Was Previous Agatha: Coven Of Chaos

After Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU Phase 5 series Agatha: Darkhold Diaries is the next upcoming MCU show or movie that can explore the meaning and overall potential of Stephen Strange's third eye. Though Doctor Strange isn't confirmed to be in the Agatha: Darkhold Diaries cast, the show is bound to dive deeper into the effects of using the Darkhold, which was first introduced by Agatha Harkness in WandaVision.

This doesn't necessarily indicate that Strange could have a surprise cameo in the series. However, as the title suggests, the series could introduce new magic users into the MCU, and another Darkhold-tainted character with a third eye could foreshadow Stephen Strange's fate in the latter parts of the MCU's Multiverse Saga.

Key Release Dates

• 

  Deadpool & Wolverine

  Release Date:

  2024-07-26

• 

  Captain America: Brave New World

  Release Date:

  2025-02-14

• 

  Marvel's Thunderbolts

  Release Date:

  2025-05-02

• 

  Marvel's Fantastic Four

  Release Date:

  2025-07-25

• 

  Blade (2025)

  Release Date:

  2025-11-07

• 

  Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

  Release Date:

  2026-05-01

• 

  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date:

  2027-05-07