Doctor Strange 2 may arrive in theaters sooner than anticipated.

Previous reports indicated that Scott Derrickson's followup to Doctor Strange would release sometime in 2021. However, Deadline reports it could come as soon as next year.

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According to the rumor, Marvel will announce its 2020 release schedule at the end of this month or in May, following the release of Avengers: Endgame. Both Black Widow and Doctor Strange 2 are rumored for release that year.

Previously, Derrickson indicated the sequel would focus both on Mordo's pursuits to strip the world of magic and the antics of the horrific villain Nightmare.

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Marvel has reserved three slots in 2020. Considering recent rumors about casting for Black Widow, it seems that film is closer to production than Doctor Strange 2. 2020 is also rumored to be the year for Marvel Studios' Eternals, which will star Angelina Jolie and an unnamed male actor (rumored to be Hercules and the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first gay lead).

Doctor Strange and Wong are expected to return in Avengers: Endgame ahead of Doctor Strange 2. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Brie Larson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Bettany, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Evangeline Lilly, and Josh Brolin. The movie is set to hit theaters on April 26.