Taglines: Enter a new dimension of Strange.
In Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Doctor Strange. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is intended to be the sequel to Doctor Strange (2016) and the 28th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Sam Raimi, written by Michael Waldron, and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. In the film, Strange and his allies travel into the multiverse to face a mysterious new adversary.
Doctor Strange director and co-writer Scott Derrickson had plans for a sequel by October 2016. He signed to return as director in December 2018, when Cumberbatch was confirmed to return. The film’s title was announced in July 2019 along with Olsen’s involvement, while Jade Halley Bartlett was hired to write the film that October. Derrickson stepped down as director in January 2020, citing creative differences, with Waldron and Raimi joining the next month and starting over.
Filming began in November 2020 in London but was put on hold in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production resumed by March 2021 and concluded in mid-April in Somerset. Shooting also occurred in Surrey and Los Angeles. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was released in the United States on May 6, 2022, as part of Phase Four of the MCU.
Cast and Characters
Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange
A neurosurgeon who became a Master of the Mystic Arts following a career-ending car accident. Writer Michael Waldron compared Strange to Indiana Jones as a hero who can “take a punch”, but with the intellect of chef Anthony Bourdain, and added he is a “great adventure hero you just like to watch kick ass”.
Waldron also hoped to explore what effect the events Strange has gone through in his previous MCU appearances would have on him. Cumberbatch also portrays multiple alternate versions of the character, including: “Sinister Strange”, a “corrupted and corroded” version of the character; “Defender Strange”, a seemingly heroic version based on the Defenders version of the character from the comics; a zombie variant; and “Supreme Strange”.
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch
A former Avenger who can harness chaos magic, engage in telepathy and telekinesis, and alter reality, whom Strange seeks for assistance regarding the multiverse. The film continues Maximoff’s “ownership of what makes her unique and the accountability of her life experience” that began in the series WandaVision (2021), with an example of this being a return to an accent that is more true to her Sokovian heritage after some of the previous MCU films had moved to an Americanized version. Olsen was largely unaware of the Multiverse of Madness story while filming WandaVision and tried to ensure Maximoff’s role in the film honored the events of the series rather than having the series be affected by the film.[14] Olsen also portrays alternate versions of the character.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo
A former Master of the Mystic Arts and mentor-turned-enemy of Strange, who is hunting other sorcerers. Ejiofor also portrays alternate versions of the character.
Benedict Wong as Wong
The Sorcerer Supreme and Strange’s mentor and friend tasked with protecting Kamar-Taj’s most valuable relics and books.[18][19] Wong also portrays alternate versions of the character.
Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
A teenager with the ability to travel between dimensions by punching open doorways. Marvel Studios production and development manager Richie Palmer stated that Chavez’s powers are “maddening” to Strange and Wong given they have never encountered anyone with those abilities and it is their job to protect the dimensional barriers. Gomez said that “everything is going completely wrong” for Chavez in the film as she is “running away from her uniqueness until she learns to embrace it”.
Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer
An emergency surgeon who was a colleague and lover of Strange.[22] The film explores Strange’s decision at the end of Doctor Strange (2016) to protect the New York Sanctum and not be with Palmer, despite still having feelings for her and possibly regretting that decision, along with dealing with Palmer’s upcoming marriage. McAdams also portrays alternate versions of the character.
Additionally, Patrick Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier / Professor X in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men film series, appears in the film in an undisclosed role, while Topo Wresniwiro reprises his role as Hamir, a Master of the Mystic Arts, from the first film. Also appearing in the film are the creature Gargantos, designed after Shuma-Gorath, and Rintrah, a minotaur-esque being from R’Vaal who is a student at Kamar-Taj. Bruce Campbell, a frequent collaborator of Sam Raimi, filmed a cameo appearance, but it’s currently unclear if Campbell’s appearance was kept following the film’s reshoots or not.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bruce Campbell, Patrick Stewart, Xochitl Gomez
Screenplay by: Michael Waldron
Production Design by: Charles Wood
Cinematography by: John Mathieson
Film Editing by: Bob Murawski, Tia Nolan
Costume Design by: Graham Churchyard
Set Decoration by: John Bush
Art Direction by: Julian Ashby, Alice Biddle, Thomas Brown, Julia Dehoff, Patrick Harris, Peter James, Mike Stallion, Mark Swain
Music by: Danny Elfman
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language.
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios
Release Date: May 6, 2022
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