Doctor Strange Writer Reveals the MCU’s Big Plans for Nightmare Villain

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C. Robert Cargill, a writer for Marvel’s *Doctor Strange*, recently revealed that Nightmare was once considered as a villain for the first *Doctor Strange* movie, and the idea sounded fantastic. Although Dormammu and Kaecillius (played by Mads Mikkelsen) ultimately became Doctor Strange’s initial foes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Nightmare was a strong contender – even potentially for *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*. Fans have been speculating about Nightmare’s possible appearance for years.

C. Robert Cargill, a writer for *Doctor Strange*, recently discussed rumors about the character Nightmare in an interview with TopMob. He shared details about a different version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that could have included the well-known comic book villain.

While speaking with TopMob’s Russ Milheim at the Fantastic Fest premiere of *Black Phone 2*, Cargill revealed that he and *Doctor Strange* director Scott Derrickson originally planned for Nightmare to be the villain in the first *Black Phone* movie. However, studio executives felt Nightmare was better suited as a villain for a sequel.

TopMob asked the team about early plans for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ specifically about Nightmare being considered as the villain. They wanted to know what ideas they had for Nightmare that ultimately didn’t make it into the final film.

C. Robert Cargill explained that they initially wanted Nightmare to be the main villain in the first movie. Marvel Studios liked the concept, but felt Nightmare was better suited for a sequel.

He explained that the initial plan for the *Doctor Strange* sequel, developed with Scott Derrickson, centered on exploring different realities and the often illogical nature of dreams, and would have featured the character Nightmare.

The original plan involved Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange fighting a villain who controlled dreams.

Scott Derrickson and I have always been fascinated by alternate realities and the strange logic of dreams. We love exploring that inner space – the world you find within your own dreams. We actually wrote some ideas for the first Doctor Strange movie that we wanted to develop further in the sequel. The concept involved Doctor Strange facing an opponent who controls dreams, and where reality itself bends to their will. We were really excited about exploring those possibilities.

Although Cargill and Derrickson had a specific idea for the film *Nightmare*, it wasn’t realized. The original director of *Doctor Strange* left the project in early 2020 due to disagreements about the creative direction.

Cargil explained he hadn’t started working on the *Doctor Strange* sequel before Scott Derrickson left the project, but he’d be very interested in writing a script for the character Nightmare for Marvel in the future.

I wasn’t involved with ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ because I hadn’t joined the project before Scott Derrickson left. I think Nightmare is a fantastic character, though, and I hope they explore him in a future movie. I’d really enjoy writing a Nightmare storyline for them if they ever decide to do that.

At the Fantastic Fest premiere, director Scott Derrickson, when asked about *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*, *Doctor Strange*, and his previous ideas for a Nightmare-focused MCU project, stated he was unable to discuss anything related to Marvel.

Just like with the first *Strange* movie, the idea of using Nightmare as the villain in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* was eventually dropped. The filmmakers decided to focus on Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch instead.

Michael Waldron, the writer who took over Multiverse of Madness after the original team, had previously discussed Nightmare as a potential villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He explained that the character was ultimately cut from Doctor Strange 2 because they decided to go with a villain more connected to the idea of the multiverse.

Although Nightmare was considered for both *Doctor Strange* movies, he hasn’t appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet. While Marvel Studios hasn’t announced Doctor Strange’s next project, rumors suggest he might be in the upcoming *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* films, or possibly a third, currently unconfirmed, *Doctor Strange* movie.

Will Nightmare Ever Make His MCU Debut?

Nightmare was once a possibility for both *Doctor Strange* films, and it seems highly likely he’ll eventually appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The *Doctor Strange* movies from Marvel Studios have already featured two major threats: Dormammu, one of his most powerful comic book enemies, and the Scarlet Witch, another incredibly skilled magic user.

If the creators of the *Doctor Strange* films want to introduce a new and different storyline, the character Nightmare would be a good fit for the upcoming third *Doctor Strange* movie.

Nightmare is a major enemy of Doctor Strange in the comics, acting as the powerful ruler of the Dream Realm. Because Strange is uniquely able to travel into places like the dream world, a battle between them is a natural fit.

The question is whether this fits with the overall story Marvel Studios has been building. We last saw the character being transported through dimensions by Clea.

Many people thought this meant Doctor Strange and Clea were about to travel through the Multiverse together. However, it’s also possible Clea simply arrived from the Dream Realm, which is ruled by Nightmare.

Maybe she’s witnessed the villain’s full strength and came to Doctor Strange for help defeating him.

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2025-09-24 21:06