**This article contains spoilers for “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “WandaVision”**
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is set to release on Friday, May 6. Fans are anxiously awaiting this premiere after the last movie theater release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” in December 2021, and the many, many questions it left with its audience.
In the latest Spider-Man movie, fans were introduced to the concept of the multiverse, shown through the introduction of both Andrew Garfield’s and Tobey Macguire’s Spiderman characters from “The Amazing Spider-Man” movies (2012-2014) and the “Spider-Man” trilogy (2002-2007), respectively. These beloved characters also came with the main problem of the movie: how to repair the tear in the multiverse and return all the multiversal creatures to their proper universe.
At the end of the movie, Doctor Strange erases the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Peter Parker from the world’s memory to correct the problem, however, this does not work as planned. Instead, like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound, it did nothing more than briefly solve the outer problem. This is where “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” picks up from.
Famous for creating the “Spider-Man” trilogy, the Evil Dead franchise and “Poltergeist,” director Sam Raimi will be following the darker path Marvel Studios has been taking as of late, in their Phase Four of MCU movies. Raimi is raved about for “hold[ing] the rare distinction of having mastered both the superhero movie and the horror movie,” (1). The trailers depict this almost horror-like aspect that has not been seen from Marvel before.
Fan favorites Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) will be featured in the movie as they take on the problems created by Strange himself. Raimi revealed in an interview with Fandango that these characters will be fighting alternate versions of themselves and going out into new realities that mirror the one fans know and love (1). The official trailer indicates that fans will also meet Marvel’s version of the Illuminati, which honestly, brings a lot of confusion.
This is also the first time the audience has seen Wanda Maximoff since her solo show “WandaVision” released in January 2021. Will the Scarlet Witch still be dealing with the effects of Westview, and how will that play into her role in the new movie? Before seeing “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, it is definitely recommended to watch both “WandaVision” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” as they both play a huge role in the upcoming release. While “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is not on any streaming service, “WandaVision” is on Disney+ for streaming and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is available to rent or buy.
Along with arguably Marvel’s strongest characters, a new superhero will be introduced in the movie. America Chavez, also known as Miss America, is one of Marvel comics’ most powerful superheroes. In the comics, she is part of the Young Avengers, which also includes notable members such as Kate Bishop from “Hawkeye;” Wanda’s twins, Billy and Tommy, from “WandaVision;” Ant-Man’s daughter, Cassie Lang, from the “Ant-Man” movies; and Loki’s Kid Variant from “Loki” (2). With the introduction of America, it begs the questions, will these other characters play bigger roles in later movies, and could they possibly become the new face of Marvel?
Whatever this new release has in store, MCU fans will surely be in for a ride with “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” when they crowd theaters this Friday.
1. https://www.fandango.com/movie-news/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness-director-sam-raimi-reveals-new-details-about-his-first-mcu-film-754540
2. https://www.gamesradar.com/america-chavez-miss-america-doctor-strange-multiverse-of-madness-xochitl-gomez-marvel/
