The Multiverse Saga has presented an Anchor Being mystery in the concepts and ideas introduced in the MCU's Multiverse Saga, but Anchor Beings may be the most significant, as the survival of their realities lie solely on them.
As explained by Earth-616's Anchor Being hasn't yet been confirmed, but Marvel Studios may have already dropped several hints regarding who it could be.
The Ancient One May Have Confirmed Doctor Strange As The MCU’s Anchor Being
The Ancient One Spoke Highly Of Doctor Strange In Avengers: Endgame
One of the most popular theories regarding Earth-616's Anchor Being has suggested that Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange could be this special individual. While this hasn't been confirmed, this may have been teased as far back as 2019's Avengers: Endgame, as the Ancient One spoke very highly of Doctor Strange while discussing timelines and Infinity Stones with Bruce Banner in an alternate 2012. The Ancient One stated that Strange was supposed to be "the best of us," which, in retrospect, may have been referring to him as an Anchor Being.
Tilda Swinton reprised her role of the Ancient One from 2016's Doctor Strange in Avengers: Endgame, where she was revealed to have been helping in the background during 2012's Battle of New York, unbeknownst to the Avengers.
At first glance, it seemed as though the Ancient One was referring to Doctor Strange as the strongest Sorcerer Supreme, the "best" of the Masters of the Mystic Arts. However, Wong assumed the title of Sorcerer Supreme during the Blip, and retains it to this day, meaning this can't have been what the Ancient One was referencing. The Ancient One's intimate knowledge of the multiverse suggests she is also aware of Anchor Beings, so it makes sense that she would be hinting at Strange fulfilling this role in the 616-universe.
There Is A Lot Of Evidence That Doctor Strange Is An Anchor Being
Doctor Strange Is Key To The MCU's Multiverse Saga
Despite the fact that he has been absent from the MCU since 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange has been set up as a key figure in the Multiverse Saga. He has more knowledge than practically any other MCU character about the inner workings and sheer potential of the multiverse, and has even traveled to other realities, coming face-to-face with his own variants. He is also the only current hero who is aware of incursions, events that threaten the stability of the multiverse, so he'll surely be crucial to Phase 6's Avengers movies.
Even before the Multiverse Saga, Doctor Strange had a pivotal role in bringing down the Mad Titan, Thanos, in Infinity War and Endgame, having peered into millions of possible futures to assess their chances. Interestingly, and perhaps inconsequentially, Strange found a version of the future in which he survived, possibly becoming aware of his existence as an Anchor Being. Marvel boss Kevin Feige even teased Benedict Cumberbatch as the "anchor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" in 2022, which couldn't be more on-the-nose (via Variety).
Doctor Strange’s Multiverse Saga Movements May Pose A Problem For The MCU
Doctor Strange May Have Already Made Crucial Mistakes
Deadpool & Wolverine revealed that it can take thousands of years for realities to fully die off following the demise of an Anchor Being. This means that, if Doctor Strange is Earth-616's Anchor Being, his five-year hiatus during the Blip wouldn't have had dire consequences. However, his movements throughout the multiverse in Phase 4 may tell a different story, as Strange has seldom spent a great deal of time in the 616-universe. Instead, Strange has traveled to the likes of Earth-838 and Sinister Strange's universes, and is now off to locations unknown with Charlize Theron's Clea.
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Doctor Strange's absence from Earth-616 throughout the Multiverse Saga could spell bad news for the MCU's primary universe, should he turn out to be an Anchor Being. This, along with the incursions that Strange is already suspected to have caused through his multiversal travels and dabbling in the dark magic of the Darkhold, may have serious repercussions in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. While the Ancient One may have thought Strange was the "best of us" in Avengers: Endgame, he could actually bring about Earth-616's destruction.
Avengers: Endgame
- Runtime
- 182 Minutes
- Director
- Anthony Russo
- Writers
- Stephen McFeely, Christopher Markus
