Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness brings several surprises in the latest MCU action-packed adventure. While all of them may not be unexpected, thanks to some big marketing reveals before the movie’s release, the post-credit scenes have been kept quiet enough for anyone wanting to avoid them. With that in mind, the rest of this article will be spoiler-heavy for the movie and those two post-credit scenes, which between them include a set-up for the future and a pay-off from the movie itself.

Throughout the movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness pulls some aces out of its sleeve, from the appearances of Patrick Stewart returning as Professor X, to Hayley Atwell’s Captain Carter and John Krasinski as Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic. After the movie's climax, the post-credit scenes continue to deliver more surprises for those who stick around.

In the mid-credit scene, Strange is visited by someone new to the MCU, Clea, played by Charlize Theron. Clea tells Strange that she needs his help as incursions are happening before opening up a portal to a world that looks very similar to the one inhabited by the demon Dormammu. Strange reacts by opening his new third eye and slinging on his cloak to head into whatever lies ahead. In previous rumors, both the character of Clea and the inclusion of Charlize Theron have been mentioned, but usually in different circles. Now we know the truth, it also poses a possible warning for what is to come, as the comics have recently seen Clea not only become the wife of Strange but also take over his role following his death. Of course, in the MCU, Wong is currently Sorcerer Supreme, so that may not pan out in quite the same way.

The set-up of this scene suggests that, as the final card announces, Doctor Strange will return and continue to tie together past movies. In the comics, Clea is the niece of the aforementioned Dormammu, which is why her portal seems to lead to the Dark Dimension, where Strange faced off against the dark deity in his first movie. The mention of incursions is also one of those tiny little Marvel Easter eggs that could be leading somewhere big, as the term was used in the 2105 crossover, Secret Wars. Of course, Secret Wars is currently rumored to be where the multiverse storyline is heading in another Endgame level event movie.

Related: Bruce Campbell Teases Doctor Strange 2 Cameo: 'It's a Pretty Cool Part'

Multiverse of Madness’ Second Post Credit Scene is a Pay-Off For Sam Raimi Fans

Doctor Strange 2 Has Been Delayed Yet Again, Won't Arrive Until 2022

As Doctor Strange begins to travel the multiverse, he crosses paths with a “pizzaball” seller, played by none other than Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell. In a hilarious Evil Dead callback, Strange puts a spell on him that sees Campbell’s character being attacked by his own hands. After the final credits roll, we go back to see the character’s self-torment finally coming to an end, at which point he laughs, looks at the camera and shouts, “It’s finally over!.”

This is a pay-off that works on many levels. First and foremost, it is the last shot of the movie and after several minutes of credits, that shout is probably one any Marvel fan could give when they finally get that second post-credit scene. However, it also brings a final comedic note in what is a much darker movie, pretty much in the same way Thor: Ragnarok's final scene saw Jeff Goldblum’s Grand Master emerging from the rubble. It doesn’t add to the MCU story in any way but is a good bit of fun…especially if you are a fan of Raimi and Campbell.

There is something in the delivery of the line that almost makes you think Campbell has just slipped back into the guise of Ash Williams from The Evil Dead, and that overjoyed cry would not have been out of place at the end of that saga either. All in all, some will love it, and some will wonder why they waited through the credits, but when it comes down to it, the short scene is just the kind of send-off Multiverse of Madness needed.