Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will see the return of everyone's favorite sorcerer, along with some new additions like Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez. Now, director Sam Raimi has explained the crucial role Chavez will have in the sequel.
Before her silver screen debut in Doctor Strange 2, Chavez made her first comic book appearance in 2011's Vengeance #1 as Marvel's Latin-American LGBTQ character, before going on to be featured in her own series and joining the Young Avengers. The teenager has the ability to travel between dimensions by punching open doorways.
Having such a unique ability, especially when dealing with something so expansive and unknown like the multiverse, Raimi shared with Empire that fans should keep their eyes on America Chavez. “Strange is still learning about the Multiverse. And here’s a character that can actually travel through it. He’s such a know-it-all all the time, and to have to learn from a kid probably smarts," Raimi said. The outlet notes that America Chavez's arrival will present Strange with "all kinds of quandaries."
Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange has already interacted with many MCU heroes, most recently Tom Holland's Spider-Man in last year's Spider-Man: No Way Home, but it appears this time around Chavez's character will be different. Instead of Strange attempting to explain the multiverse and the endless possibilities it presents to others, it looks as though the young hero will have a lot to teach Strange, as she will be the one to lead the others through the alternate dimensions in the hopes of defeating new enemies such as Strange Supreme.
In addition to Raimi's comments, a new still from the sequel posted by Empire featuring Chavez and Strange appears to be from the same scene where Strange is captured by the Illuminati, led by Patrick Stewart's Charles Xavier/Professor X. While it's still unclear to piece together what led up to their apprehension or even how they will escape, it will no doubt be exciting to see these two heroes working together on the big screen.
Other than Chavez's MCU introduction, Doctor Strange 2 is rumored to feature plenty of exciting cameos ranging from Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool to the new Fantastic Four group. The story is also reportedly heading down a darker route, as star Elizabeth Olsen, who reprises her role as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, says Raimi's work almost resembles a horror film at times. Joining Gomez, Cumberbatch and Olsen are Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, Benedict Wong as Wong, and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer. Loki head writer Michael Waldron, who was praised for his work on the Marvel Studios series, was hired to rewrite the script along with newcomer Jade Bartlett.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will arrive in theaters on May 6, 2022.
Source: Empire