Spoiler Warning: Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of MadnessAs Marvel fans come down from the high that was Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness, fans are naturally speculating about what may be in store next. Considering how complex and seemingly unending the Marvel Cinematic Universe is, fans don't have to go very far or wait very long to get their next fix.
Hardcore Strange fans, however, will likely not be getting the next entry until 2027, if other Marvel franchises are any indicator. The end of the film certainly plants the seeds for the next installment, like most major Marvel films do these days. The end of Multiverse of Madness was appropriately strange, though it may have also been the result of Sam Raimi fighting with the studio.
We saw Stephen Strange exit his home, cross a street, and suddenly cower in pain as a third eye manifests on his forehead, with the superhero crying out in pain in a very signature Sam Raimi moment. The (first) post-credit scene is then the same scene the way studio execs likely preferred, introducing Charlize Theron as Clea (who later becomes Strange's wife in the comics) with an invitation into the Dark Dimension, causing fans to rightfully predict the title of the third film, Doctor Strange in the Dark Dimension. Strange's third eye appears again, but without pain.
The discrepancies between the two endings feel more in the realm of creative differences than anything else. It's one of the more awkward ending choices in any Marvel film. That said, Multiverse of Madness is the best cinematic Marvel content since Avengers: Endgame and is absolutely a must-see.
Multiverse of Madness also serves as a direct continuation of the popular Disney+ series, WandaVision, capping things off with a very dark conclusion to the lead character's ultimate fate. Still unclear is Vision's status, having awoken in White Vision. A fan favorite of the franchise, Vision represents one of the most high concept characters, embodying the pinnacle of Tony Stark's technological exploits in artificial intelligence. The character could easily carry his own franchise at this point.
Put on Joe Satriani's Surfing with the Alien while we ponder the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe, which includes Silver Surfer and Squirrel Girl too!
Marvel at Their Movies
While Paul Bettany has publicly said he will be returning as Vision, there is nothing clear at the moment for when or what that might be. Considering just how crazy things are getting with Disney able to mix and match pretty much anything and everything from the Marvel Universe, some fans have expressed confusion and a little fatigue over just how much content there is now. Some are predicting Thor: Love & Thunder, dropping July 8th, will make no reference to the recent Doctor Strange film, and that's probably a good thing.
While the connective tissue between every movie is fun for fans, it can sometimes get in the way of the film's singular vision. Multiverse of Madness's aforementioned ending and post-credit scene is a prime example of this. Having to cram in a reference to another film can be awkward and impede a director's intentions.
Although if done correctly, it really can be effective in increasing the scope and even the stakes beyond the confines of the current film being watched. When weaved into the script well, like Iron Man or Doctor Strange's presence in the Spider-Man movies, it works great and wins over the loyalties of any fans who may have a particular affinity for the special guest character.
However, dialogue references can sometimes be a little clumsy. At one point, Moon Knight was planning on making references to Gorr the God Butcher, the villain in the upcoming Thor film played by Christian Bale. However, due to planning and scheduling, these references were removed as the writers had no insight on Thor's release date, revealed in a recent article on The Direct.
The Dark Dimension
With many of Doctor Strange's most notable comic adventures taking place in The Dark Dimension, the third film has an opportunity to be the best yet. Functioning essentially as Marvel's Hell, the bizarre starless realm is a collection of some of the most tragic dimensions in the multiverse. Here we may find strange alternate reality downward spirals of many of Marvel's greatest heroes who have failed beyond redemption.
While it is unclear at this time if Sam Raimi will return, he certainly should, as the combo of Michael Waldron's writing and Raimi's direction is a match made in heaven, or somewhere else, perhaps. Either way, the end product was fascinating, thrilling, and unpredictable. It's collaborations like this that cinema is desperate for.
If you haven't yet seen Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness, buy yourself a present and watch this sci-fi horror movie/superhero hybrid masterpiece on the big screen.