The MCU Just Got Its Second Perfect Excuse To Bring Back A Marvel Villain We Haven’t Seen In 8 Years

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The MCU just got its second perfect excuse to bring back a Marvel villain that audiences haven’t seen in eight years: Dormammu. First appearing in Doctor Strange (2016), Dormammu was introduced as the ruler of the Dark Dimension, an immensely powerful, god-like entity seeking to expand his domain to Earth. The battle between Doctor Strange and Dormammu was unique, and now the villain has the perfect place to return to the MCU timeline in Ironheart.
Dormammu’s debut highlighted his role as an overarching cosmic villain whose influence could affect the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though Doctor Strange seemingly neutralized the immediate threat of Dormammu in 2016, the character’s immense power and mysterious nature make him an ideal choice for a return. Now, as Marvel ventures further into the multiverse, Dormammu’s unique ties to mystical realms offer a natural opportunity for a comeback - an idea Marvel is hinting at through multiple storylines.
Doctor Strange 2 Set Up An Initial Excuse To Bring Back Dormammu In 2022

The seeds for Dormammu’s return were first planted in the post-credits scene of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). This scene introduces Clea, a powerful sorceress who warns Doctor Strange about the consequences of his actions in the multiverse. In the comics, Clea is no ordinary sorceress - she is the niece of Dormammu himself. Her familial connection to Dormammu ties her fate to the Dark Dimension, and she eventually becomes a key figure in battles against him.
Clea’s introduction hints that Dormammu’s story in the MCU might not be over. While Clea and Doctor Strange were last seen preparing to fix an "incursion" in the multiverse, Dormammu"s influence could still be lingering, ready to cause more havoc. If the multiverse saga continues to explore cosmic villains and dark dimensions, Dormammu’s familial connection to Clea provides a clear narrative path for his return. This connection also builds Dormammu’s potential as a recurring villain with personal stakes, rather than just a cosmic threat.
Ironheart's Trailer Already Teases A New Excuse For Dormammu's Return In 2025 Close The Ironheart trailer released for the 2025 series introduced another intriguing way to bring Dormammu back. In the trailer, viewers catch a glimpse of Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood, wearing his signature red hood and wielding supernatural powers. In the comics, Robbins’ powers are directly linked to Dormammu. His cloak, imbued with mystical abilities, originates from the Dark Dimension, courtesy of Dormammu himself. This direct connection between The Hood’s abilities and Dormammu’s realm opens up another path for the villain’s return.

Related Marvel TV In 2025 Trailer Breakdown: 22 Reveals About Daredevil, Wonder Man, Ironheart & More Marvel has released a trailer detailing its 2025 television output, proffering some thrilling insight into the MCU’s future as it approaches Phase 6.
1 The inclusion of The Hood in the MCU"s Ironheart indicates that Dormammu’s influence could reach beyond the mystical characters we’ve seen so far. If Robbins’ powers in the series retain their comic origins, Ironheart could explore how Dormammu’s influence leaks into the mortal world through artifacts or human proxies like The Hood. This could establish Dormammu as a pervasive threat within the MCU, one who doesn’t need to appear in person to impact the story.
Why Dormammu Needs To Return To The MCU

Dormammu’s return to the MCU would be a thrilling addition, especially within the multiverse saga. Marvel’s recent phase has been filled with characters and storylines that revolve around the complexities of the multiverse and alternate dimensions, including Loki, Kang, and Doctor Strange’s ongoing journeys. Dormammu’s nature as an other-dimensional being would fit seamlessly into this multiverse exploration. His cosmic powers and connection to dark magic also set him apart from other villains, offering a unique challenge that blends mystical and cosmic elements.
Beyond narrative alignment, Dormammu"s return would enrich the MCU’s rogues" gallery. Having more recurring villains strengthens the MCU’s long-term storytelling, making characters like Dormammu valuable assets. As an ancient, immensely powerful villain, Dormammu could become a recurring menace, evolving alongside new heroes and offering fresh, higher-stakes conflicts. His return could allow Doctor Strange and other heroes to face familiar yet ever-evolving threats, making for a richer, interconnected universe.
Bringing Dormammu back would also satisfy those eager to see him fully explored as a character, especially given his minimal screen time in Doctor Strange. His character design, with the dark, nebulous face and overwhelming presence, is visually striking and memorable. As the MCU embraces more ambitious visual storytelling in the multiverse saga, a return to the Dark Dimension could open up exciting possibilities for both visuals and storylines. With Clea’s connection and The Hood’s involvement in Ironheart, the MCU now has compelling reasons to bring Dormammu back, potentially cementing him as one of the franchise’s most enduring villains.

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6.5/10 Ironheart Set after Dominique Thorne's MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios' Ironheart series follows Riri Williams as she follows in Iron Man's steps as a high-tech superhero and crosses paths with Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins a.k.a. The Hood, a magic user with ties to the dark arts. The six-episode Disney+ series is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5.
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