Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will officially hit theaters in May, carrying a level of expectations equal to the box office smash Spider-Man: No Way Home. While competing with the web-slinging hero's numbers feels daunting, Benedict Cumberbatch is showing no signs of pessimism, believing the newest Doctor Strange installment can replicate the incredible success generated by the record-breaking film.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness looks to be the proverbial launching pad for the next phase of the MCU, with many speculating that the narrative will include appearances of familiar faces from Marvel's cinematic past. The inclusion of such iconic appearances would mirror Spider-Man: No Way Home, which bridged three generations of Spider-Man fandom. The film is inching closer to the $800 million domestic box office milestone, having already surpassed $1.8 billion worldwide. No film released this year has been able to attain such success, with The Batman being the closest, having earned $238.5 million over two theatrical weekends. However, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may be a different story.
"It's a big, big movie," stated Cumberbatch while speaking with Empire magazine. "It's going to be an absolute riot. And if it brings off the level of ambition it's got, we're going to have success on the level of Spidey. There you go, I'll put my flag in the sand." Alongside Cumberbatch, the film will star Elizabeth Olsen, whom audiences last saw in the Disney Plus original series WandaVision as Scarlet Witch. Marvel has planted seeds leading up to the events Strange will be immersed in throughout the film, making the statement made by Cumberbatch all the more realistic. While the possible return of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire is not at the forefront, the obscurity of the multiverse may be an even more attractive ticket.
The film takes place after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and places Strange in a situation where he must deal with the consequences of opening the multiverse. The sorcerers' actions in the Tom Holland-led film ushered in the return of villains and characters from previous Spider-Man projects, with many speculating about other possible returns in store. The trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hinted at the return of Patrick Stewart, who played Charles Xavier in the earlier stages of the X-Men franchise. Other thoughts have arisen around the emergence of Ryan Reynold's Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, but nothing has surfaced as truth. Audiences will have to hold onto those predictions until the film officially arrives, which is enough to pack seats with fans eager to see if their desires come full circle.
Despite the hidden surprises that may linger around the corner, the film is still a Doctor Strange story at its core and looks to explore a character who is still growing and evolving. "There's a lot of reckoning," expressed Cumberbatch about the film. "And a lot of self-discovery. Strange is almost a stranger to himself before this film unfolds and reveals what, essentially, is in his nature, that he then has to either confront or resist or fall into or become. There are some very bold ideas, and some extraordinary tests of Strange and encounters. There are some very unexpected conclusions." It'll be interesting to see how things unfold for Strange, especially since the multiverse is relatively new for the character.
Spider-Man: No Way Home set the bar incredibly high, which has made the achievements of other projects feel minuscule. Only three films have ever crossed the $800 million domestic box office milestone, highlighting the rarity of such success. Cumberbatch, however, sees a path for the newest Doctor Strange installment to enter into the conversation. Spider-Man: No Way Home lived up to expectations, providing an experience for audiences worth remembering. The ambition behind the Sam Raimi-directed Doctor Strange 2 is clear, but living up to expectations is an entirely different story. The optimism, however, present in the film's leading actor should spark hope that another experience worth remembering is fast approaching.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will arrive in theaters on May 6, 2022.
Source: Empire