There is something about Doctor Strange and an ominous quote that hits differently in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "We are in the endgame now." "The Multiverse is a concept of which we know frighteningly little." "Things just got out of hand." All lines that send shivers down the spine of MCU fans.
So no one was really that surprised when the Doctor Strange sequel was given one of the most ominous subtitles in comic book movie history. The Multiverse of Madness is coming and it is set to explore the chaos within the infinite Multiverse that has been laced throughout the MCU.
If there is anything that fans of this universe have learned over the past year, it is that no matter how much investigative YouTubing they do, no one can predict what is going to happen. With a title like Multiverse of Madness, that sentiment has never rung more true.
And the showrunners of the highly anticipated Doctor Strange sequel are excited about the ambiguity surrounding every aspect of the movie.
The Many Meanings Of The Multiverse Of Madness
In the Spring 2022 issue of Disney's D23 Magazine obtained by The Direct, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness co-producer Richie Palmer spoke about the title of the movie and how it holds "many different meanings".
"We honor each definition of the word 'madness' in this movie. For example, it's not just the craziness of what an alternate universe might look like, feel like, or sound like. When you see that there are infinite versions of yourself across infinite universes and you're a different person in them different facets of you rise to the top."
Continuing on about the idea of multiple variants of these Marvel characters, Palmer says the movie raises the question "What makes you YOU in each universe?"
"Maybe Stephen meets a few of these guys and wonders, "Oh, am I capable of what that person's capable of? Are they capable of what I'm capable of?” And that can be maddening, Seeing other versions of yourself make decisions that you would not make can, for better or worse, be maddening- whether that's for Doctor Strange, for Wanda, or for any of our characters."
This movie is set to challenge characters to explore the ethos of themselves and Palmer explains just how intense that could be.
"Sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones that dwell within us," Palmer continues. "And with the Multiverse, maybe some versions of us are more monstrous than others."
Things Are Getting Out Of Hand
The premise of Multiverse of Madness is something that is a fools-errand to figure out. The mystery surrounding this movie, its characters, and the plot that drives them is the crux of the marketing campaign.
There is a feeling that the marketing team at Marvel Studios is showing us exactly what they want to show us and the enigmatic nature of the trailers is very intentional. This is surely a setup for a variety of twists, turns, and surprises come May 6.
One concept of this movie that has fans and pundits alike on the edge of their seats is the variants set to appear in this movie. It is already confirmed that there will be three versions of Doctor Strange portrayed within the madness. The opportunity to explore the psyche of one of the MCU's most profound characters is all over the place.
The idea of an angel/devil, ghosts of Sanctorum's past, Spider-Man meme angle to the Doctor Strange character is enough to excite fans worldwide. Add in the potential for Wanda Variants, Wong Variants, and even Variants of legacy Marvel characters, and it makes for something special.
Richie Palmer seems genuinely excited to explore all different types of madness throughout this movie. Situationally, the Multiverse is in a state of reckoning that should frighten the masses. Internally, discovering who you are outside of your world has the potential for personal madness. And narratively, the ramifications of Strange's actions, past, present, and future are bound to set the MCU on a brand new path.
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness is set to hit theaters on May 6. Then, and only then, will fans discover not only what Madness is occurring, but how our heroes handle it.
