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 from a script written by Jade Bartlett and Michael Waldron, and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez. In the film, Strange unleashes an unspeakable evil as he faces a friend-turned-enemy. 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 Bartlett was hired to write the film that October. Derrickson stepped down as director in January 2020, citing creative differences. The next month, Waldron joined the project, and Raimi took over as director by April 2020. 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.
Cast:
-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.
-Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch: An Avenger who can harness chaos magic, engage in hypnosis and telekinesis, and alter reality. The film continues Wanda’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 make sure her role in the film honored the events of the series rather than having the series be affected by the film.
-Benedict Wong as Wong: A Master of the Mystic Arts and Strange’s mentor and friend tasked with protecting Kamar-Taj’s most valuable relics and books.
-Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer: An emergency surgeon who was a colleague and lover of Strange.
-Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo: A former Master of the Mystic Arts and mentor turned enemy of Strange who is hunting other sorcerers.
-Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 6, 2022. It was originally set for release on May 7, 2021, but was pushed back to November 5, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before it was further shifted to March 25, 2022 after Sony rescheduled Spider-Man: No Way Home to November 2021. In October 2021, it was shifted once more to its current May 2022 date. The film will be part of Phase Four of the MCU.
