Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently preparing to wrap production, as its final scenes are shot in London this week. The multiverse-hopping sequel started rolling its cameras in November, however, had to endure a brief pause due to the COVID-19 restrictions in England.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that filming was ongoing on Burrow Hill Cider Farm in Somerset. The location filming is believed to have included the titular star Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlet Witch actress Elizabeth Olsen, and WandaVision's young twins' actors Julian Hilliard and Jett Klyne.
Miraculously, unlike most major film productions, very little has been leaked about the film so far, with a notable absence of significant set photos and videos. With under a year until release, very few specifics of the plot have been announced meaning almost nothing is known about the story.
However, it seems a recent Cumberbatch sighting in the Somerset area has revealed a small detail about Doctor Strange's appearance in at least part of the film.
BEARDLESS CUMBERBATCH SPOTTED NEAR DOCTOR STRANGE SEQUEL FILMING
TikTok user @drusillas.yellowcrayon has shared a video of their friend's brief interaction with Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch in Somerset, England.
The British actor is shown in the video to have shaven the beard he has donned for the duration of the production. Cumberbatch was last pictured with the Stephen Strange style in several March interviews to promote his recent historical drama The Courier.
In response to a viewer's question, the creator confirmed the video was taken on Burrow Hill. A cider farm in the area was previously used for filming earlier in the week, however, no other crew members were around this time as the user noted “they had already packed everything up” when the video was taken.
Towards the end of last month, the Sorcerer Supreme star noted that he wasn't allowed to show his face on a Zoom call due to the secrecy of the Doctor Strange sequel filming. While unconfirmed, it's possible this may be when he shaved the iconic beard, something Marvel Studios may want to keep quiet on for unknown reasons.
WHAT COULD A BEARDLESS DOCTOR STRANGE SUGGEST?
Assuming the actor has been beardless for some time now, there are several potential implications of Benedict Cumberbatch ditching the facial hair that Marvel's magical hero is so well known for.
Since there would be little reason for the Avenger to get rid of his facial hair during the film, it's possible some scenes of the film may feature flashbacks to his surgeon days prior to the magical training. Given the multiverse-exploration nature of the film, these scenes could potentially take place in an alternate timeline where Strange never crashed his car and traveled to Kamar-Taj.
As Kevin Feige confirmed this would be the final week of filming on the highly-anticipated blockbuster, it is entirely possible that Cumberbatch has already wrapped the filming of his scenes. The hill in which the actor was recorded is only a two and a half-hours drive from Pinewood Studios, the main location of the England-based production.
If the actor is indeed finished with his role in the Marvel sequel, he may have just chosen to enjoy a walk at the scenic location the cast had previously visited. Either way, fans can likely await confirmation in the coming days that the Sam Raimi-directed production has concluded.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will arrive in theaters on March 25, 2022.
