Does Doctor Strange Still Have the Time Stone in Multiverse of Madness?

After the events of Avengers: Endgame, it is often debated whether Doctor Strange still possesses the Time Stone. This article delves into the fate of the Time Stone and answers the question of its current whereabouts.

The Fate of the Infinity Stones

Before analyzing Doctor Strange's situation, one must first comprehend the significant changes that occurred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the strings of Thanos. In the climactic battle of Endgame, the Avengers successfully brought back the other six Infinity Stones and used them to reverse the snap, effectively undoing Thanos' actions in the multiverse and erasing the chaos caused by his ruthless pursuit of power.

Doctor Strange and the Time Stone

The Time Stone, in particular, has a rich history within the MCU. After Thanos prepared to use his Infinity Wish to resurrect his beloved, he inadvertently destroyed all six Infinity Stones, including the Time Stone, in the final moments of Avengers: Infinity War. This act completely shattered the Time Stone, making it seem that it had been lost to history.

However, in Avengers: Endgame, all of the stones were returned to their original timelines. The Time Stone, like the others, was destroyed in the past but returned to its original timeline. It is widely believed within the MCU that the stones were destroyed to prevent the creation of countless alternative timelines. This destruction leaves Dr. Strange without the Time Stone, as confirmed by the characters' dialogue and the events depicted in Avengers: Endgame.

Time Travel Mechanics in the MCU

The movie reinforces the mechanics of time travel in the MCU, emphasizing that changes made in the past are not reflected in the main timeline for reasons that have not been fully explained. Professor Hulk and the Ancient One's words clearly demonstrate that the past events do not affect the main timeline. This implies that the Time Stone, which was originally destroyed by Thanos at the beginning of Endgame, remains destroyed and was not returned to Dr. Strange.

The importance of this timeline integrity cannot be understated. The prime timeline, established through the first 22 MCU films, has remained unchanged, with events such as Loki's death, Steve Rogers' separation from Peggy, and the absence of a public record of his new life all consistent across the timeline. These details strongly suggest that Doctor Strange never regained possession of the Time Stone.

Conclusion

In summary, the Time Stone is not in the possession of Doctor Strange, as it was destroyed along with the other stones in the multiverse created by Thanos. Following the events of Endgame, the stones were returned to their original timelines but the Time Stone's destruction cannot be undone. This adherence to timeline integrity underscores the fundamental nature of these events within the MCUs chronology.

The removal of the Time Stone from Dr. Strange's arsenal leaves his magical prowess significantly diminished. The MCU's move towards new and different powerful devices, and the likely preference for villains without all-powerful devices, further support this narrative.