Doctor Strange's Death and Dormammu's Threat: An Analysis

With the Doctor Strange film culminating in the snap of Thanos' fingers, significant changes have occurred, including the demise of Doctor Strange. As we reflect on the aftermath of Infinity War, one pressing question emerges: will the primary antagonist, Dormammu, now be able to invade Earth?

Infinity War and the Existing Threat

In the Infinity War storyline, Thanos' snap killed half of the universe's population of sentient beings. Among the casualties were notable heroes, including Doctor Strange. However, while Doctor Strange's death might seem like an opening for Dormammu, the removal of a single character does not necessarily imply the removal of the existing protective measures. In Doctor Strange, Dormammu could only invade earth if the Three Sanctums were destroyed. As these sanctums still stand, fully intact and functional, this leaves Dormammu without a way to breach the Earth's defenses.

Security of the Three Sanctums

The Three Sanctums, however, are now unexpectedly vulnerable. With Strange's passing, and the presumed loss of many sorcerers, these powerful fortresses become far weaker. Despite this, the sanctums remain a formidable barrier. The Hong Kong and New York Sanctums have been restored, and while Wong mentions that the New York Sanctum is unguarded, this does not immediately pose an open door for Dormammu. The seals that protect Earth and our dimension for thousands of years are still in place and resilient.

Dormammu and the Agreements

The real question then becomes, would Dormammu honor his agreement even if Doctor Strange were not alive? The agreement stipulated that Dormammu would never return, and this condition did not specifically mention Doctor Strange's survival. Thus, if Dormammu were a being of honor, he would continue to respect his promise. However, if he were not, no unforeseen circumstances could change his intentions or actions.

The Role of Thanos and Sorcerers

Dormammu's presence is also constrained by the presence of other powerful beings. Firstly, Thanos, who has a much grander and more powerful collection of Infinity Stones, presents a significant threat to Dormammu. Thanos can argue that while he stopped Dormammu previously, he might simply decide to neutralize him. It's clear that Thanos would not let Dormammu reclaim the universe after what he did to "save" it.

Additionally, Dormammu is not solely beholden to Stephen Strange. When Dormammu attempted to breach Earth in Doctor Strange, it was Strange's clever use of the Eye of Agamotto that convinced Dormammu to leave. However, it was the seals of the Three Sanctums that truly protected Earth for millennia. With the restoration of at least the Hong Kong and New York sanctums, Dormammu is physically and magically confined.

The only people left who might know enough to bring Dormammu back are Strange, Wong, and Mordo. Mordo, in particular, has his own agenda that strongly conflicts with Dormammu, whereas Strange and Wong are aligned with Earth's protection. This makes it less likely for Dormammu to be reinvoked easily.

Therefore, while the passing of Doctor Strange leaves the Three Sanctums vulnerable, the existing power structures and the indisputable threat posed by Thanos and the sanctums themselves, make Dormammu's invasion of Earth highly unlikely and improbable.