With the news yesterday that Doctor Strange would be hitting theaters in July 2016, it now starts the speculation as to who will be involved with the movie, since Joaquin Phoenix is taking his sweet time, and who the Sorcerer Supreme will face. But could the bad guy be in the vein of a former Marvel villain?

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One of the biggest villains for Doctor Strange is Karl Mordo, a sorcerer who is resentful of Strange and his capabilities and is always pushing the limits of his teachings.

In the comics, Mordo began his tutelage under the Ancient One as early as the 1930's, already an adult; residing in the Ancient One's lair brought him reduced aging. The Ancient One realized that Mordo's lust for power made him dangerous but chose to teach him anyway, feeling that he could at least keep a watchful eye on him.

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Mordo was immediately resentful of Strange when he began studying under the Ancient One and magically restrained him from speaking when Strange accidentally walked in on Mordo's plot. The plot failed, Strange became the Ancient One's disciple, and Mordo eventually left.

Mordo continued his studies and became a fierce rival of Doctor Strange.

It is possible that Mordo could be the first villain to face Strange, with the other big bad, Domammu coming later, and from what the character is described as, it would seem like he could be portrayed somewhat like Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer in Iron Man 2.

Hammer was a little cocky but clearly resentful of what Tony Stark had accomplished and seeing this budding rivalry in Doctor Strange could create some sense of personality much like the one between Thor and Loki that dominates those movies.

It would also allow Marvel to create a villain who would not be one and done and, much like Loki, appear to reek havoc on Strange whenever the hero appears.

Doctor Strange is set to open in theaters in July 2016.