The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong since 2008, and not just because of the spectacular action scenes and high production values. The real heart of the MCU is its emotionally impactful and richly developed protagonists, who also have the benefit of outstanding acting. For years, Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark was the MCU's supporting pillar.
But now— he's gone. Iron Man fought his last battle to help defeat the mad titan Thanos once and for all, and he left a vacuum in the MCU's cast. The young Peter Parker looked up to him as a father figure and mentor, and the trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home suggests that Doctor Stephen Strange is taking over as Peter's new father figure. In many ways, big and small, Doctor Strange is on track to fill Iron Man's steely shoes.
10 Doctor Strange Ranks Among The Strongest Avengers
It's open for debate who's the strongest Avenger of all, with the mighty Thor and the Incredible Hulk being top contenders. During his heyday, Iron Man was also a real powerhouse, being among the strongest fully-human characters— but he's not the only one.
With Iron Man gone, Doctor Strange now ranks among the most powerful human Avengers of all, and his formidable abilities will help protect Peter Parker and the Earth from all kinds of threats. Those mystic arts are the real deal.
9 Doctor Strange Has A Highly Compelling Actor
A meta-reason to consider Doctor Strange the new Iron Man is due to their respective actors. Most fans agree that the MCU has a near-monopoly on the industry's best actors and actresses, from Chris Evans to Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson— and Benedict Cumberbatch is among them, too.
Fans loved Robert Downey Jr.'s razor-sharp acting as Tony Stark, but Benedict Cumberbatch is also a heavyweight actor who can steal any scene with cool ease. If he can play Smaug, Khan, and Sherlock Holmes with aplomb, he can make Doctor Strange the MCU's best-acted character, no doubt.
8 Doctor Strange Is Learning To Be Witty
Humor is another vital ingredient in the MCU; if these characters took themselves too seriously, the movies would get a little uncomfortable. Some characters are naturally funnier than others, such as Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon, and Iron Man was famed for his endless quips. Now, Doctor Strange is starting to find his comedic voice as well.
At first, Doctor Strange was humorless and stern. But by now, he's starting to warm up around Peter Parker, including little one-liners and even a wink. His charisma is rising fast, and no doubt fans can't wait for more Doctor Strange zingers in No Way Home.
7 Doctor Strange Gruffly Dotes On Peter Parker
The MCU is noted for its many dysfunctional if not outright villainous fathers, from Ego the living planet to Howard Stark. But Tony was like Peter's surrogate father, showing Peter his gentler side without compromising his sharp, witty ways. He was a gruff but loving father figure, and now it's Doctor Strange's turn.
The No Way Home trailer makes it clear that Doctor Strange is neatly balancing his foster father role with his stern and aloof side, acting as Peter's equally gruff but well-meaning parental figure. This balance can't be easily to pull off, but Doctor Strange seems set to do just that.
6 Doctor Strange May Become The New Brainiac Of The Avengers
The Avengers has attracted many smart people to its cause, along with brilliant international allies such as Shuri. Tony Stark was once the brains of the Avengers, using his business expertise, scientific & engineering talents, and creativity to further the Avengers cause. Now Doctor Strange is taking over.
Doctor Strange is a very smart man himself, being a former surgeon turned master of the mystic arts. He has a creative and resourceful mind that can quickly adjust to any combat situation, and that's a surefire way to life up to Iron Man's legacy. Even when Thanos is involved, brains beat brawn.
5 Doctor Strange Is Cocky & Confident At The Top
Tony Stark was a key member of the Avengers and was quite important, and all this went to his head. He was rather confident and even cocky at times, smugly asserting himself as a top-tier Avenger in both subtle and obvious ways. Doctor Strange seems poised to begin doing the same.
Doctor Strange is also a top-tier Avenger, and based on his personality and actions thus far, he'll also be a smug and cocky power player in the team— whether his allies like it or not. Someone has to be the token arrogant one, after all.
4 Doctor Strange Is The New Fashionable Goatee Guy
Tony Stark and Doctor Strange had one superficial but charming thing in common: Both men make goatees look good. Star-Lord and Rhodey might be clean-shaven, but Tony and Stephen both maintain neat facial hair so they can look good while saving the world. No doubt this contributes to their popularity.
Iron Man went first, and a brief scene in 2012's The Avengers shows a civilian getting a goatee to match Iron Man's. Doctor Strange also has some fine facial hair, and with Tony gone, he ranks #1 in the men's grooming department among the Avengers. It's a good look.
3 Doctor Strange's Bleecker Street House May Be Peter's New HQ
Peter Parker is comfortable in his New York City apartment with Aunt May, but as an Avenger, he needs other bases of operations too. And based on the No Way Home trailer, his new choice of HQ is not Stark Tower— but rather, the Sanctum Sanctorum.
This house is located on Bleecker Street, and it has all kinds of mystic artifacts and tomes inside, as well as plenty of room for a spider-loving guest. It's possible that Spider-Man will default to Doctor Strange's home as his new superhero HQ. Iron Man was once the host of superhero meetings, but Doctor Strange may be the one organizing those going forward.
2 Doctor Strange Has Access To Substantial Resources & Information
Not only is Doctor Strange one of the smartest and cleverest Avengers like Iron Man, but he is also in a position to share these resources with his allies. Iron Man wasn't just smart; he was also a capable researcher and innovator, and could dig up intel on just about anything.
Doctor Strange could take over as the Avengers' top researcher and archivist, giving the heroes an edge with vital intel that can turn the tide of any battle and expose a powerful enemy's weakness. He and Bruce Banner should be able to research their way out of any problem.
1 Doctor Strange Is Now More Willing To Get Involved In Others' Business
At first, Doctor Strange wanted to keep magic and the secrets of the multiverse to himself, and he tried to operate independently of the Avengers and other heroes. Iron Man was once a loner too, but he soon learned to be a team player, proving Nick Fury's initial assessment of him wrong.
Doctor Strange is more of a team player than ever before, starting with his role in Infinity War where he helped his allies fight Thanos on Titan. The No Way Home trailer also makes it clear that Doctor Strange is Peter's good friend and ally, to the extent that he'll use the mystic arts to help Peter fix his personal life. Only he must now also help Peter fix the big mess they found themselves in.