Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), despite all of its divisive reception from the audiences and critics, opened countless doorways of Multiverses in the MCU. The Sam Raimi directorial flick became absolutely unique with its visual effects and style. The movie starred Benedict Cumberbatch (as Doctor Strange), Elisabeth Olsen (as Wanda Maximoff), Benedict Wong (as Wong), and Xochitl Gomez (as America Chavez) among several other cast members.
It was established in the movie that the prime Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) occurs on Earth-616. Post the events of WandaVision, Wanda is on a quest to locate her children across the multiverse, who had died in her own universe. Since America Chavez had a unique power to travel between several universes, Strange had to protect her from Wanda aka Scarlet Witch.
Within a runtime of only two hours and six minutes, there just wasn’t ample time to explore many other worlds outside of the two that were featured the most. The two universes that are kept largely in focus are – Earth-616 (the main MCU) and Earth-838 (the one with the Illuminati). Also is featured the Sinister Strange’s Incursion Universe at the end where Strange goes to grab a copy of the Book of Vishanti.
However, in a sequence when Wanda throws Chavez and Doctor Strange through the multiverse portals, quick glimpses of several universes can be seen. In an interview with befores & afters, the movie’s visual effects supervisor Alexis Wajsbrot explained the more than a dozen realities that appeared in this sequence. Let’s look at them one by one in the order that they appeared in this sequence.
1. The Living Tribunal Statue World
It is the first world that the pair jumps into. It featured huge heads reminiscent of the Living Tribunals. Whether these are simply conduits for the Living Tribunal or the entity itself is unknown. It is also featured in Marvel Comics.
2. The Alien Tentacle World
This second world what looked like a glowy alien with giant tentacles around the pair while they jump through.
3. The Onslaught Canyon World
This next world featured a world made of geographical structures similar to the Grand Canyon. It was the artist’s tribute to James Franco’s 127 Hours.
4. The Mirror World
This world featured a number of pointy structures made entirely of glass while the pair fall through them.
5. The Honeycomb World
Next, Amaerica Chavez and Doctor Strange pass through a world made entirely of Honeycombs and giant bees. Bees buzzing sound can be heard in the background.
6. The Underwater World
From the honeycomb world, Chavez and Strange fall into a world that is entirely underwater. Gulping through them, they continue falling.
7. The Alt-New York World
The pair next jumps into an alternate street in New York City. Along with them some fish also find their way into this world.
8. The Pipe World
With a sigh made by Chavez, The pair next jumps into a world that seemingly is made of Pipes and has Stark’s Drones flying around them.
9. The Skeleton or Hell World
With a sound of a gong, the falling pair then stumbles through a world made entirely of fire, skeletons, and dead creatures. It could be the MCU’s version of world ruled by Mephisto as in comics.
10. The Savage Land
Next, Strange and Chavez go through the Savage Land. It featured a jungle setting that had a T-Rex battling with a Triceratops. It paid tribute to Marvel Comics’ Savage Land.
11. The Comic-Book World
Intended as a nod to the Marvel comics as a whole, this next world changed Strange and Chavez to their comic book appearances, while they fell through New York.
12. The Post-Apocalyptic World
Next, the pair find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world. It showed what would have happened in The Avengers if the team “lost and…New York (had) been completely crushed.”
13. The Cube World
In this world, almost everything was made entirely of tiny cubes. Even the screaming faces of Strange and Chavez broke into several tiny cubes. It was a tribute to the very famous original comic book cover of House of M.
14. The Paint World
The next world was just made of several color paints. Doctor Strange and Chavez also are converted into falling goos of yellow, blue, green, and purple. Chavez had earlier referenced the world saying, “you don’t wanna stuck in there”.
15. The Hydra World
What would have happened if Hydra had taken over the world during the 1930s? This next world featured this alternate reality. It even included a blimp featuring the Hydra logo on the end of it which was featured in the IMAX version of the movie.
After that Doctor Strange and America Chavez further fall through four more worlds. These are:- The Stairs World, The Machanized World, The Futuristic World, and The Fire World. However, they appear quickly for mere split seconds before transitioning to the next one. And finally, they both fall into Earth-838, with Strange asking Chavez, “Are you Ok?”
Seeing how the visuals in each world mesh with one another made for an incredible sequence of events, even with it being only a minute long. It is unclear and a bit unlikely, if MCU will revisit any of these universes in the future. It also showcased the real power and abilities of America Chavez, who will surely be back in action alongside other Avengers and Young Avengers.
