Avengers: Infinity War: Predicting the MVP against Thanos

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Wong (Benedict Wong)..Photo: Chuck Zlotnick..©Marvel Studios 2018

1. Doctor Strange

What good is a sorcerer against an all-powerful alien? Plenty. Dr. Stephen Strange was a key player in Infinity Gauntlet, organizing and deploying Earth’s heroes to and from the battle with Thanos. There’s a reason Adam Warlock went to him before any other of Earth’s heroes.

The good doctor is also poised to play a pivotal role in Infinity War, based on the trailers in which he’s apparently the first to meet Bruce Banner after Thanos’ attack on the Asgardians’ transport ship. He’s again poised to be vital in initiating Earth’s response.

But Dr. Strange matters for more than support, for three reasons.

First, Dr. Strange has unique experience and insight with otherworldly artifacts and hidden layers of reality. He’s also heir to methods and knowledge that rival or surpass alien technology. The Eye of Agamotto is the among the most sophisticated ways we’ve seen to harness an Infinity Stone.

Second, Dr. Strange is unique in his understanding of other dimensions. Given the comics presented the Soul Gem as a world unto itself, Dr. Strange could, like Warlock, find a way into the Soul Stone to subvert the gauntlet from within.

Third, Dr. Strange in the MCU has shown a uniquely disciplined and calm mind. Those were essential traits for Warlock, who had the resolve to follow through on a plan requiring immense risk and sacrifice. To beat Thanos, you can’t flinch when friends die, entire worlds are destroyed and reality comes apart at the seams.

Dr. Strange appears up to the challenge, based on the daring and spine he showed against Dormammu. He accepted the risks that using the Eye of Agamotto posed to reality, and was willing to die over and over again until Dormammu tired of his time loop.

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And this might sound cold, but it’s good that he’s not especially close to any of the Avengers or Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s less likely to balk at necessary sacrifices.

Dr. Strange is most likely to be the MVP because he has knowledge, temperament and tools best able to fight a seemingly incomprehensible threat. He may not strike the final blow against Thanos, but he’s most likely to ensure there is one.