Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
A sequel exploring the multiverse and the Scarlet Witch's threat.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 American superhero film from Marvel Studios, distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It follows up on 2016's *Doctor Strange* and is the 28th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sam Raimi directed it, with a script by Michael Waldron. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Stephen Strange, joined by Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. The story centers on Strange protecting America Chavez, a teenager who can hop between universes, from the Scarlet Witch.
Plans for a sequel started with *Doctor Strange* director Scott Derrickson in October 2016. He signed on to direct again in December 2018, with Cumberbatch confirmed to return. The film's title was announced in July 2019, along with Olsen's casting, and Jade Halley Bartlett was hired to write that October. Derrickson left as director in January 2020 due to creative differences. Waldron and Raimi joined the next month and restarted the project, adding horror elements Raimi was known for and turning Wanda into the villain, continuing her story from the Disney+ series *WandaVision* (2021). Filming began in London in November 2020 but paused in January 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It resumed by March 2021 and wrapped in mid-April in Somerset, with additional shooting in Surrey and Los Angeles. The production budget was $350.6 million, making it one of the costliest films ever.
The movie premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on May 2, 2022, and hit U.S. theaters on May 6 as part of the MCU's Phase Four. Critics gave it generally positive reviews, and it earned $955.8 million worldwide, ranking as the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2022.
**Plot** A demon chases America Chavez and a variant of Stephen Strange through the space between universes, hunting for the Book of Vishanti. The variant Strange is killed, and Chavez accidentally creates a portal that brings her and his corpse to Earth-616. That universe's Stephen Strange rescues her from another demon with help from Wong, the Sorcerer Supreme. Chavez explains that beings are after her because she can travel the multiverse, but she can't control the ability consciously.
Strange spots witchcraft runes on the demon and consults Wanda Maximoff, only to realize she's behind the attacks. After acquiring the Darkhold and
- Release year
- 2022
- Director
- Sam Raimi
- Production budget
- $350.6 million
- Worldwide gross
- $955.8 million
- Studio
- Marvel Studios
- Distributor
- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre
- Superhero, horror elements
Lore & Background
Doctor Strange director and co-writer Scott Derrickson had plans for a sequel by October 2016 and signed to return as director in December 2018. The film's title was announced in July 2019 along with Elizabeth Olsen's involvement. Derrickson stepped down as director in January 2020 citing creative differences. Michael Waldron and Sam Raimi joined the following month and started over, adding elements of the horror genre and making Wanda the villain, continuing her story from the Disney+ miniseries WandaVision (2021). Filming began in November 2020 in London but was put on hold in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming by March 2021 and concluding in mid-April in Somerset, with additional shooting in Surrey and Los Angeles.
Reader's Guide
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on May 2, 2022, and was released in the United States on May 6, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $955.8 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2022. With a production budget of $350.6 million, it is one of the most expensive films ever made. The film's plot involves Strange protecting America Chavez from the Scarlet Witch, who seeks to use Chavez's multiverse-traveling powers to reunite with her children. The film introduces the Illuminati on Earth-838 and explores the consequences of dreamwalking and incursions.
Did You Know?
- The film was directed by Sam Raimi, known for horror films, and incorporates horror elements.
- Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff continues her story from the Disney+ series WandaVision (2021).
- The production budget of $350.6 million makes it one of the most expensive films ever made.
- The film grossed $955.8 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2022.
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