One of the best aspects of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Multiverse Saga is the fact that we get to enjoy adventures set within that world on the small screen now too. It's true, the addition of the Disney Plus shows have added a whole new layer to the MCU, allowing the Marvel Studios franchise to explore new stories across an extended period of time without being constricted by the typical two or three hour runtime.
It also allows the franchise to spotlight some beloved characters from the movies who didn't get enough focus. We saw that in early shows such as WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Loki, all of which spotlighted some of the MCU's most popular-and-yet-underappreciated characters in leading roles. Even the more recent Agatha All Along placed the spotlight on WandaVision's best supporting character, showcasing the beauty of placing the spotlight on supporting characters every once in a while.
Now, according to a recent report, another longtime MCU supporting character - one who has already made a number of appearances on Disney Plus - is set to star in his own series on the streaming service.
Benedict Wong will reportedly reprise MCU role as the lead of Strange Academy series
The reports are true, it seems. According to veteran Marvel scooper MyTimeToShineHello, Benedict Wong is indeed set to reprise his role as Wong in his own Disney Plus series, as the actor is now expected to lead the long-rumored Strange Academy show. The scooper also adds that, if Benedict Cumberbatch appears as Doctor Strange on the show, it will only be in a small role.
If this turns out to be the case, it would support a number of rumors that have been swirling over the past few months claiming that a Strange Academy series was in development at Marvel Studios. In fact, earlier this month veteran industry insider Daniel Richtman reported that the project had been greenlit by Marvel after months of development, meaning that it could begin moving forward.
Strange Academy would be based on the comic book series of the same name, but there is one difference. In the Marvel Comics, Stephen Strange himself was the one at the center of the story, teaching a new generation of sorcerers (or, well, "wizards") to hone their skills and perfect their craft, being what the Ancient One was for him in the movies. However, it sounds like Wong will be the one doing the training in the Marvel Television series and there are a number of reasons for that.
For starters, Benedict Cumberbatch is going to be very busy playing Doctor Strange on the big screen for the foreseeable. Although the star has confirmed that he won't be bringing The Master Of The Mystic Arts back in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, he has also confirmed that Strange will play a key role in its 2027 sequel Avengers: Secret Wars. There is also the third Doctor Strange movie, which is expected to pick up from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' post-credits scene, in which Strange and sorcerer Clea (played by Charlize Theron) ventured into the Dark Dimension to stop an incursion that the former seemingly caused.
Furthermore, Wong is actually the one who holds the title of Sorcerer Supreme (due to Strange's five-year absence due caused by The Blip), so it makes sense that he be the one to train the young sorcerers. The ending of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness actually saw Wong overseeing the training of a bunch of young sorcerers at Kamar-Taj, with America Chavez, a.k.a. Miss America, joining them. So a Strange Academy series would make sense at this point, perhaps even to show us how that played out.
Wong has been a fixture of the Multiverse Saga, with more appearances under his belt in this particular chapter than any other character in the franchise. Those appearances thus far consist of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, and animated series What If...?. He's also been rumored for another cameo appearance in Captain America: Brave New World, and he will likely be involved in at least one of the two upcoming Avengers movies. Although Strange Academy could potentially release after the Multiverse Saga concludes, it's clear that Marvel Studios is investing in the Wong character. He is, after all, the Sorcerer Supreme.