Marvel Studios is inching closer to its first theatrical venture of 2022 with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - a film set to blow the MCU wide open from beginning to end. While new potential players like Patrick Stewart's Professor X are in the spotlight, the sequel will also focus on classic Marvel heroes and villains from the Infinity Saga - even ones that have been in the background like Karl Mordo.
Chiwetel Ejiofor returns for his second Marvel movie as the enigmatic villain, although this time, the actor plays what appears to be a Variant of the former Kamar Taj Master. Fans are still waiting to find out the resolution to the original Mordo's post-credits scene from 2016's Doctor Strange, but for now, this new Mordo will unleash his own round of fury upon Strange and his companions.
Plenty of mystery still surrounds what's actually coming in Doctor Strange 2, although it's clear that Mordo will have a bone to pick regardless of what that bone is or which version of Mordo Ejiofor is playing. Even more than that, the actor recently revealed how he worked with director Sam Raimi to make an even bigger impact on this movie than originally expected.
Mordo Plays Leader Role in Doctor Strange 2
Entertainment Tonight spoke with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Chiwetel Ejiofor spoke about the new role that he and director Sam Raimi carved out for him in this movie.
Calling the entire experience "pretty bonkers," Ejiofor expressed his sense of excitement to bring the cast of the original movie back together and take on new challenges. He also shared that Raimi made him "sort of the leader for this film" before praising Raimi's work and teasing how much people will enjoy this new movie.
"It’s pretty bonkers, and it’s going to be really exciting. It’s been a real joy to bring that team back together, and Sam made me sort of the leader for this film, and, you know, I just think his work is so extraordinary and has been for so long. So it was very, very exciting, and I think people are really going to enjoy it."
Ejiofor's Upgraded Role in Doctor Strange Sequel
While Ejiofor's Karl Mordo certainly helped push Stephen Strange's origin story forward in the original Doctor Strange, he's set to become a much bigger piece of the puzzle in this year's solo sequel. The big question here is exactly how he's taking on a new leadership role, especially having discussed it in-depth with director Sam Raimi.
In terms of his character on-screen, this new Master Mordo unquestionably knows his way around the Multiverse from the short amount of footage that fans have seen so far. He'll have some amount of pull with Marvel Studios' take on the Illuminati, and his rivalry with the MCU's good doctor is one he doesn't run from as he's seen engaging in battle with Strange in the trailers.
On the other hand, Ejiofor himself is certainly in line to take on more of a leadership role off-camera as well, being one of only a handful of characters who appeared in the original movie over five years ago. He's as well-equipped as anybody to take on whatever the story puts in front of him alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, and others as he gets to take Mordo into uncharted territory.
No matter which direction these quotes are going, Ejiofor appears ready to tackle any challenge in his way as he works on arguably the biggest solo movie in MCU history. While his role in the plot comes with plenty of questions, he'll be somebody to watch closely as the story unfolds.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to debut in theaters on May 6.
