A new Super Bowl TV Spot for the upcoming Marvel sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, released alongside the earth-shattering trailer, reveals a host of new footage. Unveiled on YouTube by Disney Entertainment Studios, amongst this further glimpse at the multiversal shenanigans on display, the shorter ad gives us our best look yet at Doctor Strange variant, Defender Strange.

Looking a lot like the MCU’s already established version of Doctor Strange, and also played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Defender Strange is shown wearing a different costume and having a slightly different grooming regime to his more familiar counterpart. Known as Defender Strange, the character does have a presence in the pages of Marvel Comics. Created by Roy Thomas and Ross Andru in 1971, Defender Strange is leader of a superhero team that cosists of several familiar faces, including Hulk, Namor, The Silver Surfer, and Valkyrie.

defenderstrange2
Marvel Studios

The Defenders are often brought together to thwart major threats, and based on the footage released during the weekend’s Super Bowl, and a major threat is exactly what will unfold in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, while we have yet to see The Defenders, the recent trailer has now confirmed an appearance from The Illuminati, a secret society of superheroes with huge influence and power, who watch over and protect the multiverse, stepping in when things get out of hand — made up of Mister Fantastic, Iron Man, Professor X, Black Bolt, and Namor. So, expect Defender Strange to have a seat at The Illuminati’s table.

While Spider-Man: No Way Home teased the kind of cameos possible thanks to the opening of the multiverse, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness looks to be pushing things much, much further. With Benedict Cumberbatch set to play several versions of Doctor Strange, much like the Spider-Man variants who swung into action to assist Tom Holland, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will also feature appearances from characters previously established by 20th Century Fox. Including Patrick Stewart as Illuminati member Professor X, whose voice is heard in the newly released footage.

Doctor Strange 2 Will Unleash the Multiverse Upon the MCU

doctor-strange-2-trailer
Marvel Studios

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will build upon the foundations laid down in the likes of WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, unleashing the Multiverse on the MCU. A recent synopsis for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness reads, “In Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.”

Directed by Sam Raimi from a script written by Jade Halley Bartlett and Michael Waldron, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, and Xochitl Gomez.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 6, 2022, as part of Phase Four of the MCU.