In Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness, different aspects that Marvel and Disney have been developing through different films and series of the franchise are integrated. The film is key to understanding the functioning of the multiverse and how actions in one reality can influence others. The delays due to the pandemic make the expectation in relation to the film high.
Doctor Strange, without the presence of Iron Man or Captain America, is the main reference within the Marvel Cinematic Universe along with Thor. The detail is that the God of Thunder walks through space while the doctor attends to different issues on earth and, yes, also outside of it: the timelines have gotten out of control and it is necessary to give him some kind of sense (or at least try it).
This film will dialogue with series like WandaVision, Loki, What would happen if…? and with the events of productions such as Doctor Strange: Supreme Sorcerer and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Below we detail the different relationships between these works, the theories that exist in relation to Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness, the synopsis, and the possible villains and variants of the protagonist that could appear.
The mysterious plot of Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness
Initially, the plot of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was more closely related to the events of the first film. That film ends with Mordo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, fighting with Doctor Strange and Wong over the management of different forces. This character had been a sort of godfather to the doctor, guiding him in different aspects. Until different events took him away from the path of the other characters.
A few years ago, when thinking about the sequel to Doctor Strange, it was envisioned that Mordo would have a key role. Time later, much of that idea has changed. Yes, it is likely that he will play an important role in the story, but not to the level of others involved, such as the Scarlet Witch. At the moment, the official synopsis of Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness is as follows:
“In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Marvel Cinematic Universe unlocks the multiverse and pushes its limits further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the multiverse to face a mysterious new adversary.”
That adversary, as seen in the trailers, is Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen. She is joined by other mystical creatures and one of the variants of Doctor Strange, the Supreme, who seems to emerge as a figure adverse to the interests of the protagonist of this film.
Release date
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will have a preview in some regions on May 4, 2022. The official premiere in the United States and Spain is scheduled for May 6. In countries like Mexico and Argentina, it will be on May 5.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheduled date for the premiere of this film was May 7, 2021. It was later rescheduled for November 5 of the same year, to be moved again a few months later, for March 25, 2022. Finally, it will be May 6 this year.
the cast of the movie
The confirmed actors within the cast of Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness are the following:
| Actor | Character | What other Marvel movies has he participated in? |
| Benedict Cumberbatch | Doctor Strange | – Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (2016), – Thor: Ragnarok (2017), – Avengers: Infinity War (2018), – Avengers: Endgame (2019), – Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) |
| Elizabeth Olsen | Wanda Maximoff | – Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), – Avengers: Infinity War (2018), – Avengers: Endgame (2019) – WandaVision |
| Benedict Wong | wong | – Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (2016), – Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings (2021) – Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) |
| Rachel McAdams | Christine Palmer | – Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (2016) |
| Chiwetel Ejiofor | Mordo | – Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (2016) |
| Xochitl Gomez | America Chavez | – Will debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. |
| Michael Stuhlbarg | Nicodemus West | – Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (2016) |
| Patrick Stewart | Professor X | – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. |
| Lashana Lynch | Mary Rambeau | – Captain Marvel (2019) |
| Hayley Atwell | Peggy Carter | – Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) – Ant-Man (2015) |
On the question of the actors, the production of the film has already denied the presence of one of the variants of Iron Man played by Tom Cruise. One of the most mentioned rumors since the publication of the first trailer for the film.
The film’s production team consists of Sam Raimi, as director, with Kevin Feige executive producing. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was written by Michael Waldron, with music by Danny Elfman and cinematography by John Mathieson. The film was edited by Bob Murawski and Tia Nolan.
All variants of Doctor Strange
Loki (2021) explained through his chapters part of the theory in relation to the multiverse and that, in the different realities that make it up, there are different variants of each person.
According to what has been seen in the trailers for Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness, the variants that are expected are the following:
Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange (Earth-616)
It is the variant of Doctor Strange developed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His first appearance came in the film released in 2016, directed by Scott Derrickson.
Defender Strange variant (Earth 11127)
It was one of the first variants discovered in the trailer. This character wears a dark blue suit and long gray hair. Defender Strange made his comic book debut in The Defenders #1, released in December 2011.
Supreme Strange Variant
There are immediate references to this character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe: he was introduced through What If…?, a series of stories designed to explore different scenarios. In this story, Doctor Strange does not lose his medical skills but his heart, after the death of Christine Palmer.
The Zombie Strange variant
Yes, there will also be a zombie version. This has been hinted at throughout the various previews of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and also appeared in What If…? . Judging by the series reference, it would be the Doctor Strange developed so far, but due to different circumstances he ends up in that state.
There are different theories and rumors that suggest that other images could be from alternate realities. However, it is not confirmed. If you want to know more about each of these variants, we invite you to read this exclusive article.
The villains that we will see in Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness
This is one of the aspects about which there are more doubts. At first, Mordo was thought of. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe progressed, including television developments, some events suggest that Wanda Maximoff, The Scarlet Witch, and her interest in finding her children will be Doctor Strange’s rival, within a context in which everything seems to be up in the air.
On the other hand, within the adaptations of Marvel and Disney, there are usually different traps. One of the most common is that a character wears a comic book outfit but bears the name or acts like another being within the comics. So, it’s shaky ground to some extent. While they are revealed, there is a record of the following:
Mordo
He distanced himself from Doctor Strange as he disagreed with his management of the ancient power. Who at first, was a kind of teacher and then an ally in combat is now on the other side. Here it is convenient to make a nuance: the version of Mordo shown in the trailers may be that of an alternative reality in which he does not confront Doctor Strange for the reasons mentioned.
Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff wishes to reunite with her children, the clearest link she would have with Vision. For this, after reading the Darkhold, she may have found a way to do it, although this implies different alterations in realities. As seen in the trailers, there will be at least one moment of tension between her and Doctor Strange, as she is seen being accompanied by Wong.
Shuma Gorath
One of the images shared through Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailers shows a giant starfish attacking America Chavez. Although there is no official confirmation of the character, there are those who recognize him as Shuma Gorath and are interested in América Chávez because of his ability to move between different realities. Other versions detail that he would be another villain from the comics, Gargantos. He may also be another of the Marvel and Disney games, incorporating a character with the appearance of one and bearing the name of another.
Chthon
It is one of the less popular theories, but there are reasons to consider it a possibility. Chthon is an ancient dark god with a special relationship to the Darkhold: the texts that make up the book were scrolls made by Chthon and other villains. Every time someone uses one of those spells, reality cracks a bit. Both Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff, and even the Ultimate Doctor Strange variant, have passed through those pages.
All the theories and interpretations about Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness
The main theory regarding the plot of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is that there will be a confrontation between The Scarlet Witch and the Sorcerer. This confrontation would have as the reason for the intention for Wanda Maximoff to recover her children. To do this, he would have to alter different issues in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this context, Doctor Strange emerges as a counterweight figure, aimed at protecting the balance in the different timelines.
Another theory regarding the film is that the events of WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home altered reality to such an extent that timelines collide and the multiverse begins to fracture. In that sense, Doctor Strange will try to put everything in order, while facing different threats, from the different variants to the possibility that The Scarlet Witch is in adversary mode.
The role of The Illuminati is another of the pending questions of the film. Taking into account that a variant of Doctor Strange can be seen entering a court, the different hypotheses and interpretations of the moment suggest that it would be an encounter with those beings. Why? Because the protagonist is part of them, along with other characters: Black Bolt, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Namor, Professor X, and Captain America.
One theory that seems to be a satellite to any of the above is that Mordo is coming for Doctor Strange. Seen what is seen in the trailers, the film looks quite complex to deal only with that aspect.
expectations about the movie
After WandaVision, Loki, What If…? and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is expected to explore the different consequences of the clash of realities, the jumps in timelines, and the intervention on them.
The multiverse is the foundation upon which Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is built. Therefore, it is intuited that this film is a hinge from different points of view for the rest of the story. The incorporation of various characters from other previous films and the possibility that the variants allow the addition of others, including parallel versions of the characters already seen, transforms the film into a box of surprises.
Considering that the next movie that Marvel and Disney will release will be Thor: Love and Thunder, it is likely that there will also be some nod towards this story.
Brief description of the politics of Disney and Marvel, divided into series and films
Until last year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was summed up in all the productions intended for cinema that the company produced, in relation to Disney. Starting in 2021, with the addition of series like WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, What If…? and Hawkeye, those television stories were incorporated into the mega narrative, is based on them and also influencing future events.
What happened? Both Disney and Marvel saw in the series format the possibility of telling stories about characters who, within the films, have had a secondary role and who have a fan base or a narrative utility that can nurture the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through the series, the production houses have greater comfort to give weight to these secondary characters, without separating them from the productions in which they emerged.
On the other hand, it responds to the streaming policy focused on generating new subscribers for the Disney Plus platform. The next Marvel series respond to this logic.
What is the context of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness takes place after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. This production was the first in which Doctor Strange began to discuss ideas in relation to the different realities and the collateral effects that could be generated if they are manipulated.
Added to this are other relevant facts. Among them are those that occurred in WandaVision. The Scarlet Witch I think a kind of parallel reality that altered different issues. Her closure involved the loss of her children, whom, through the Darkhold, she may have found in another reality. On the other hand, there is what happened in Loki, a series in which a variant of Kang the Conqueror died, responsible for containing another of his variants. Without him, as seen in the series, the different timelines get out of control.
It is intuited that Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness will take these facts, and some more, into account when developing his plot. The title already hints enough that this is a movie in which there will be multiple scenarios.
Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the multiverse
Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe follows the events of Avengers: Endgame. In them, in addition to bringing back half of humanity with the Hulk snap, the story was also opened to new figures. Without the ascendancy of Tony Stark and Captain America within the group of superheroes, and with Thor embarking on another journey into space, there is a rearrangement of strength in the narrative.
In that sense, Doctor Strange emerges as one of the most relevant figures; even, by personality, it could be said that he is somewhat similar to Tony Stark. The detail is that the story is no longer just focused on internal and external threats, but on a conflict between different realities: the multiverse and its state. Therefore, Phase 4 will have this factor as its axis.
It is not a minor one, considering that different characters could be brought back through the different realities, played by other actors. The multiverse, from a production point of view, functions as a resource through which various stories can be recycled to enrich the main story of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What movies and series should you watch before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?
Due to the relationship between the various films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are several films and series to consider before seeing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Below is the list.
Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme (2016)
It is the first film about the character. It tells the story of his origin, his relationship with Christine Palmer, and the pulse with Mordo, among other key aspects to understand the character.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Doctor Strange was part of the group of superheroes who tried to stop Thanos. A key moment occurs in this film, when he explores the different options to resolve the conflict, traveling through time, and discovers that there is only one way to deal with that scenario and decides not to alter that scenario.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Doctor Strange is also part of this production, being part of one of the most important epic scenes in contemporary cinema. The character helps different superheroes to
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
After Peter Parker’s identity was revealed, the young man approached Doctor Strange to ask for his help. Along the way, the spell gets out of control and different realities are altered. So everyone must take the consequences and try to correct the timeline.
Wanda Vision (2021)
Although Doctor Strange is not part of this series, a series of events occur that are directly related to what will be seen in the next Disney and Marvel movie. During Spider-Man: No Way Home, Strange approaches Wanda to request her help.
Loki (2021)
It is the first series in which he begins to see the dynamics of the multiverse and how different events can influence realities. The character of Kang the Conqueror (or one of his variants) is presented as a being that is capable of controlling them all.
What would happen if…?
Although it is not a series like the previous two, since it is animated, several of the theories and scenarios explored here could be reflected in Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness. Even some of the variants of Strange are already presented in this production.