Here’s Why Dr. Strange Seems Odd In The Multiverse Of Madness

Both in NWH and in the upcoming Multiverse of Madness trailer, something is off about Dr. Strange. Rumors spread quickly after the release of NWH

By Mabel Judith Andrady
January 28,2022
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Both in NWH and in the upcoming Multiverse of Madness trailer, something is off about Dr. Strange. Rumors spread quickly after the release of NWH that Benedict Cumberbatch would be playing an evil or deceitful character in the upcoming Marvel movie. In addition to Marvel’s What If…?, the No Way Home trailers appeared to show him bucking the rules. Dr. Strange went ahead and cast a threatening memory wipe spell despite the warnings in the trailers. This was done in an attempt to erase Peter Parker’s secret identity as Spider-Man.

This Is Why Fans Think The Protagonist Is Off

Benedict-Cumberbatch-as-Doctor-Strange-in-Spider-Man-No-Way-Home
Benedict-Cumberbatch-as-Doctor-Strange-in-Spider-Man-No-Way-Home

The sequel will take place in a multiverse that will be introduced to the MCU. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange seems to join forces with Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff in the upcoming film to face unknown threats from the Multiverse. The Multiverse Of Madness is expected to feature cameos from X-Men characters, other Avengers, and even multiple variants of Marvel superheroes. The trailer for Doctor Strange 2 features a sinister Doctor Strange. This is even though he wasn’t evil in the first film.

There may be a good explanation for why Doctor Strange appeared to be different in the movie trailers. Following the Blip, some fans (via Reddit) speculate that Doctor Strange is merely depressed. For the first time, No Way Home reveals that the sorcerer missed out on being Sorcerer Supreme because of his five-year absence from the Marvel Universe. Doctor Strange has had to deal with a lot of new challenges since his return, including the loss of his title. In the trailer, for example, Christine Palmer seems to be getting married.

Back In The Game After 5 Years

Avengers Endgame
Avengers Endgame

After a five-year hiatus, it’s only natural that Doctor Strange would have to adjust to new circumstances. Following Thanos’ snap, however, the rest of the world isn’t exempt from the pain. Christine Palmer is the love of his life in at least some alternate realities, according to Marvel’s What If…? It’s understandable that Doctor Strange wouldn’t always be his best self after returning from the snap and finding out that Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and Christine Palmer is getting married. Doctor Strange’s hectic life explains his odd demeanor.

Alternatively, this could be yet another reason Marvel trailers should be taken with a grain of salt by fans. The No Way Home trailer sparked rumors of an evil Dr. Strange, but he appears to be normal in the film. Doctor Strange going against Wong’s orders to perform the memory wipe spell, was cut from the trailer for NWH. Wong, on the other hand, refuses to participate in the final film’s spell. It’s probably best for fans to reserve final judgment until after they see Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to avoid speculation about the character’s strange behavior.