All of the Easter Eggs in Doctor Strange

Our recaps of the Easter eggs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe continue with the topsy turvy corner of the MCU, Doctor Strange! The surgeon-turned-mystical hero was name dropped in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier and finally got his own solo movie just two years later. Check out the Easter eggs in Doctor Strange in the gallery below!

The first Doctor Strange movie was released in 2016 with Benedict Cumberbatch starring in the titular role. Joining him in the film were Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West. It also featured the MCU debut of critical characters from the pages of Marvel Comics, including Benedict Wong as Wong, plus Mads Mikkelsen as villain Kaecilius, and Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One (who is of Celtic origin in the film instead of East Asian origin). Doctor Strange was directed by Scott Derrickson, whose previous credits were primarily horror films like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, and Deliver Us from Evil, though he also brought us the modern remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still in 2008.

A sequel to the film hasn’t been officially announced, but Derrickson has previously expressed interest in returning for the film, and star Benedict Cumberbatch has noted his contract includes an appearance in another Strange solo movie. The Sorcerer Supreme did go on to appear in a critical role in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018.

Marvel Movie Easter Eggs: Doctor Strange Series

DOCTOR STRANGE
Book of Cagliostro

The text that sits at the center of Doctor Strange's plot is the Book of Cagliostro, an important book from the pages of Marvel comics. In the source material, it accounts mystic Cagliostro's personal history.
Kaecilius

Mads Mikkelsen's Kaecilius is in fact a character from the pages of Doctor Strange comics, though he was more of secondary villain than a main antagonist as he is in the movie.
Christine Palmer

In the pages of Marvel Comics, Christine Palmer was one of the Night Nurses, medical practitioners that specializes in stitching up superheroes.
Dr. Nicodemus West

Michael Stuhlbarg stars as Dr. Nicodemus West, a character who was a colleague of Strange's in Marvel Comics and who also attempted some magical training alongside Stephen.
The Date

Notice the date on the watch. Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016. Groundhog Day. Funny considering the climax of the film.
Strange's writing

The scene where Strange attempts to write his name is lifted directly from the Doctor Strange mini-series written by J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes.
Karl Mordo

Though an ally to Strange in the film, Karl Mordo is one of Strange's primary antagonists, more commonly known as Baron Mordo.
Hamir

Topo Wresniwiro plays Master Hamir in the film, a character who actually hails from the pages of Marvel comics.
Ditko Dimension

One of the Dimensions that Strange finds himself in is directly out of this splash page from artist Steve Ditko.
Classic Look

After training for some time, Strange finally shaves down to his classic goatee look.
Staff of Living Tribunal

The staff itself isn't directly from the comics but the Living Tribunal is a cosmic character that safeguards the entire multiverse from mystical forces.
Wand of Watoomb

Another object, which actually does appear in Marvel Comics, is the Wand of Watoomb, whose abilities can basically do anything.
Vaulting Boots of Valtorr

Valtorr is a mystical deity from the pages of Marvel Comics.
Eye of Agamotto

The Eye of Agamotto isn't the Time Stone in Marvel Comics but is probably one of the most important artifacts in Strange's arsenal....
Cloak of Levitation

...except for the Cloak of Leviation, which Strange wears all the time in the comic books.
Astral Operation

Strange appearing in his astral form as Christine operates on him is lifted directly from Doctor Strange: The Oath.
Stan Lee

Stan Lee cameos as a bus rider who happens to be reading Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception, his book that retells his experiences taking the hallucinogenic drug mescaline.
Avengers Tower

As New York bends in on itself, Avenger Tower can be seen briefly in the background.
The Staff of One

Seen briefly in the background of the film is The Staff of One, the mystical artifact weilded by Nico Minoru of The Runaways. This was before The Runaways had their own TV series, and where they revealed The Staff of One in the series wasn't magical at all.
Dormammu

A long-time villain of Doctor Strange, but the main Easter Egg here is that Cumberbatch himself provided the voice and motion capture for the villain.
Doc's Gloves

In the mid-credit scene from the film, lifted directly from Thor: Ragnarok, Doctor Strange finally wears his trademark gloves.
Sequel bait

The post-credits scene sets up a sequel to the film, as Mordo declares there are too many sorcerers. Though not a direct adaptation of the story, this line has roots in the "Last Days of Magic" storyline where a race of Magic-hating deities vowed to rid the entire universe of magic users and magical objects.