A massive MCU theory hints at an underused villain actor returning in Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange 3, but this could bring about a shocking change for his character. Over the last 16 years since the MCU began with 2008’s Iron Man, Marvel Studios has become well-known for utilizing villains only once before removing them from the board. This pattern has seen powerful villains such as Malekith the Dark Elf, Ultron, Crossbones, MODOK, Gorr the God Butcher and the Red Skull, among many more, wasted in the MCU, but this trend could soon be changing if one dangerous MCU villain returns.

Marvel Studios hired Mads Mikkelsen in 2015 to portray the main antagonist in 2016’s Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch’s MCU debut as the neurosurgeon-turned-Master of the Mystic Arts. Mikkelsen played Kaecilius, a student of Kamar-Taj who renounced the teachings of the Ancient One and instead idolized Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension. Kaecilius posed a significant threat to Doctor Strange, but was seemingly killed-off at the end of the Phase 3 movie.

However, following recent comments from Mikkelsen, a game-changing theory may change the shape of the MCU forever, and introduce a formidable villain for Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange 3.