When director Sam Raimi took over from original filmmaker Scott Derrickson for the sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the film underwent significant behind-the-scenes changes. This tedious process led to constant script revisions that troubled the cast and crew.

Reshoots And Story-Related Concerns

Reports surfaced in November 2021 about extensive reshoots for Doctor Strange 2. While some attributed these reshoots to actor availability and pandemic-related issues, fans speculated that they were an attempt to address story-related problems.

Xochitl Gomez, who plays America Chavez in the film, confirmed in July 2022 that the reshoots completely changed the movie’s opening sequence. Originally, Defender Strange was portrayed as saving America, but the revised version depicted him betraying her and attempting to steal her Multiverse-jumping powers.

Elizabeth Olsen’s Reaction To Script Changes

In an interview with Josh Horowitz, Elizabeth Olsen, who portrays Scarlet Witch, discussed her experience with the changing script of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She revealed that she reached a point where she stopped reading the drafts due to the constant revisions.

When asked about the resemblance between the initial script and the final product, Olsen admitted that it closely aligned with her expectations. However, she humorously expressed her frustrations by stating, “There’s a point in making the movie where I just stopped reading drafts.” She referred to the experience as “a wild ride” and requested to be updated with essential information while allowing the creative team to fill in the necessary details.

Script Evolution And Parallel Themes

Olsen previously acknowledged the ever-evolving nature of scripts, emphasizing the collaborative process within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In January 2021, she commented on the script changes, highlighting that her involvement in Doctor Strange 2 was initially shrouded in mystery. She only discovered her role after the production of WandaVision during the pandemic.

Additionally, Olsen revealed that the writers of the Doctor Strange sequel had not seen WandaVision, leading her to propose the idea of exploring parallel themes of grief and loss. To prevent repetition, she approached the character from a different perspective, ensuring her portrayal remained fresh and engaging for both herself and the audience.

Despite the challenges posed by the script changes, Elizabeth Olsen’s dedication to her character, Wanda Maximoff, shone through in her performance. Fans and critics alike recognized her passion and skill, considering it one of the highlights of the sequel.

Looking Ahead

While it remains uncertain when Olsen will reprise her role as Scarlet Witch in future MCU projects, one can only hope that any future productions will involve fewer script alterations. Her talent and commitment deserve a stable foundation for her character’s development.