‘Doctor Strange’ Director Clears up ‘Ant-Man’ Reference

Movies under the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been known to poke at each other, and keen fans have noticed as subtle "Ant-Man" nod in Scott Derrickson's "Doctor Strange". With the release of the director's commentary for the film, Derrickson comes clean about the supposed reference.

As Comic Book reported, the "Doctor Strange" director clarified that the reference is indeed the Quantum Realm from Payton Reed's "Ant-Man". The Quantum Realm was one of the mysterious realms of existence that Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, passed through when the Ancient One unlocked his third eye. This is the same creepy realm that Scott Lang, brought to life by Paul Rudd, had to go through to penetrate the Yellowjacket suit and defeat Darren Cross.

With the closing scenes of "Ant-Man" talking about the possible survival of Janet Van Dyne, who is also in the Quantum Realm, a "Doctor Strange" crossover could happen. At least, that's what Cinema Blend is suggesting for the "Ant-Man and The Wasp" sequel for 2018.

Doctor Strange, also known as the Sorcerer Supreme, will certainly be seen on several MCU movies. He is currently scheduled to appear on "Thor: Ragnarok", while a possible meet-up with Lang could happen on MCU's big event, "Avengers: Infinity War".  

Released in November 2016, "Doctor Strange" brought the element of mystic arts to the mostly-technological MCU. Led by "Sherlock" star Cumberbatch, it tells the origin story of Stephen Strange, a successful surgeon that had a career-ending accident. His search for a remedy to his situation led him to the Ancient One in Nepal, and becomes a sorcerer himself. "Doctor Strange" ties in with the running storyline of the Infinity Stones when it introduced another said stone, which was contained in the Eye of Agamotto.

"Doctor Strange" is available on Blu-ray and DVD on February 28.