Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is expected to pull out all the stops with a deep dive into the concept of alternate realities. The upcoming sequel is directed by Sam Raimi (Spider-Man trilogy) and it will be the second solo adventure for Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange. Alongside Cumberbatch, the film will also include franchise mainstay Benedict Wong as Wong, Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, Xochitl Gomez as newcomer America Chavez, and Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff.
Marketing for Multiverse of Madness officially began when the first trailer dropped in December 2021. Official footage from the sequel teased intriguing plot points, first looks at several characters, and the live-action debut of Strange Supreme from the What If...? animated series.
After the trailer reveal, a new batch of promotional art for the Doctor Strange sequel emerged to boost the anticipation for the project. From fresh looks at Strange's slightly updated costume to highlights of the Scarlet Witch, these images provide a preview of what to expect in the film.
Another confirmed plot point in movie is the emergence of more of Strange's Variants. Aside from Strange Supreme, the trailer offered a first look at Defender Strange, a sorcerer from a different universe.
Now, new evidence suggests that another potential Variant of Stephen Strange may appear in the sequel.
Doctor Strange's Wardrobe Change
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' first trailer featured an intriguing wardrobe change for Benedict Cumberbatch's titular sorcerer.
At the 1:18 mark of the trailer, a shot of Strange alongside Rachel McAdams' Christine Palmer and Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez opening an ominous door into an endless void was revealed.
Looking closely, fans can see that this Strange has a blue patch in the middle of his Cloak of Levitation.
As the trio enters the mysterious door, it opens to a floating platform that closely resembles the Nexus of All Realities in the pages of Marvel Comics.
Strange appears to be ready to face whatever threat is in the Nexus in this official still from the trailer:
A Doctor Strange Variant or CGI Effect?
The trailers for MCU projects often include Easter eggs that eagle-eyed fans look for through multiple viewings, and this latest reveal is a solid example. The meaning behind the blue patch is unknown, but it's safe to assume that it should fuel discussion among Marvel fans.
It's possible that the blue patch is used as a guide for every Doctor Strange Variant that's involved in the film's mysterious storyline. It remains to be seen how many Variants of Strange will emerge from the Multiverse, but it's possible that the MCU's Strange may devise this blue patch as his means of distinguishing who's who.
On the other hand, there's a chance that the blue patch is used as a guide for CGI effects for post-production. The reason behind the blue patch's inclusion could be spoiler-heavy, meaning that it has something to do with the Cloak of Levitation. If anything, the mystical artifact might be damaged from a previous battle, thus resulting to a blue patch being placed for CG work.
The fact that the trio is presumably entering the Nexus of All Realities could also hold the key. It's likely that this blue patch is a protective garment against unknown threats in this plane of existence.
A Potential Tease for Rintrah's Magical Future?
Official merchandise for Multiverse of Madness confirmed the inclusion of the MCU's first Minotaur, Rintrah, who is an intelligent being with magical potential from the planet R'Vaal.
Rintrah's connection with Strange revolves around the Cloak of Levitation. The mystical Minotaur was the one who repaired the Cloak after being torn in battle, and Strange gave Rintrah a blue version of the magical garment as a gift later on.
Early concept art from 2016's Doctor Strange confirmed that the sorcerer's Cloak of Levitation was initially blue instead of red. If the sequel pays tribute to the comics history between Rintrah and Strange, this patch could serve as an inspiration for the latter's gift toward the former.
All in all, the possibilties are endless, and it will be interesting to find out how the blue patch would fit in the film's massive storyline.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to premiere in theaters on May 6, 2022.
