“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” premiered in theaters May 6, and is extremely anticipated due to the limitless possibilities of the film. The film follows Stephen Strange casting a forbidden spell, opening the multiverse, and unleashing a force too strong for him to handle. While not much is known about the movie, fans are ecstatic over the possibilities this movie brings.
The multiversal plot will continue after the major success of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ following the aftermath of the film, and the continuation of the popular Disney series, ‘WandaVision.’
“I feel like it [No Way Home] left us on a really big cliffhanger as to where the characters were gonna go, cause it was such a drastic ending, so I am really interested to see what the characters will be doing or how the Marvel world will look like,” junior Ria Rao said.
Doctor Strange will return along with Wong, Christine Palmer and Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. The film is America Chavez’ debut as well, a hero who can punch star shaped portals and traverse the multiverse at will, powers that seem to be wanted by an unknown force. From the trailers it is seen that interdimensional monsters seem to be after Chavez, as one seems to be forcing her to open portals, and a tentacled monster, rumored to be Gargantos or Shuma Gorath, attacks New York City in pursuit of her.
One of the main mysteries circulating the film is how Wanda will play a role in the events of it. In the trailers Stephen approaches her in an idyllic orchard with Wanda ready to apologize for the events in WandaVision, when she unknowingly trapped an entire town in a sitcom reality to cope with the mass amounts of loss she’s experienced in her life. He assures her that he is not there to talk about it, and instead asks for her assistance, as he is in need of ‘Avenger’ help, and what she knows about the multiverse. She claims that Vision, her late suito-husband, believed it to be dangerous.
The twist of this film seems to be that Wanda is actually the primary antagonist or one of them. In a different trailer scene, it reveals that the idyllic orchard was an illusion revealing a dark and eerie environment. Wanda is in her Scarlet Witch suit and delivers a powerful line to Strange about his multiversal tempering. Other TV spots and trailers portray a parallel between Strange and Wanda. They talk about how they have been dreaming, and by morning the dream is a nightmare. This is eerily stated over a scene where Wanda’s children appear in her WestView home, but quickly disappear as Wanda sheds a tear.
One of the takeaway moments from the trailer is a brief scene where Strange has been detained and brought before a board of people. Patrick Stewartm Professor X from the X-Men Universe is heard while the back of a bald head is shown, possibly confirming mutants coming into the MCU.
Theorists have gathered that Wanda might be the forsaken foe that is chasing Dr. Strange and America Chavez through the multiverse, in order to obtain Chavez’s powers and find her children who are calling out to her somewhere in another world. It is theorized that this chase will end up with the Illuminati, a secret organization of superheroes who keep the multiverse in check, arresting Strange and Chavez for tampering with multiversal barriers. In trailer scenes Wanda infiltrates the HQ covered in different types of blood, seemingly fighting members of the Illuminati or anybody who gets in her way.
Speaking of blood and horror, this film has been hyped up to be one of the scariest and eeriest Marvel films ever made. With Sam Raimi, famous for “Spider-Man” and “The Evil Dead” series, directing the film it’s almost guaranteed. His camera work is very distinct and famous for being recognizable within the film community.
“I think horror would be awesome to see, more Marvel horror like movies, rather than just a default superhero movie,” junior Milo Bennett said.
‘Multiverse of Madness’ is definitely one of the most hyped up movies of the year, and rightfully so. After “Spider-Man: No Way Home” displaying the endless possibilities of multiverse tampering, who knows what cameos will come out of this movie? ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is in theaters now.