Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Official Trailer

[ben-zayb]

Spoiler: Video

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After No Way Home delivered on the hype, I can't wait for this sequel too.

Spoiler: The voice in 1:18

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HOLY! That's Professor X, isn't it?

I don't know much about the comics, but I read World War Hulk and I'm thinking of a connection... are we getting Illuminati?

[Palanan]

You beat me posting this by one minute.

Spoiler: The Voice

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Also, good call on the voice. Does sound rather distinctive.

And I'm getting an alternate-TVA vibe from that whole sequence.

Not sure if I'm hyped, but certainly interested.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Spoiler: The voice in 1:18

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HOLY! That's Professor X, isn't it?

Spoiler

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Sure sounds like it!

I just went from ‘barely care about this’ to ‘will probably see it’.

[tiornys]

I'm sure; I'm hyped. Of course, with Strange and Wanda being two of my favorite characters that was almost inevitable, but I'm even more hyped than I already was. Hyper hyped?

Anyone know anything about the character shown at 2:05?

[Dire_Flumph]

Spoiler: The voice in 1:18

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HOLY! That's Professor X, isn't it?

Spoiler: I mean...

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It sure sounds like Patrick Stewart.

And there's no way Marvel Studios would stunt cast an X-Men actor to make us think they were merging realities when they aren't, because that would just be unheard of

[Eldan]

Spoiler

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Hmmm...

I mean, it looks awesome, on the one hand. On the other hand... it looks like a lot of stuff?

Just counting how many villains or villainous types are in there. Mordo. Kang and probably the TVA. Dark Strange. Possibly-Shuma-Gorath tentacle monster. Possibly Patrick Stewart. Weird many-handed guy at 2:05? Quite possibly whatever Wanda is doing with the Darkhold. I kinda don't like it when they introduce new characters that should be major and then only use them for two scenes.

[Psyren]

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Hmmm...

I mean, it looks awesome, on the one hand. On the other hand... it looks like a lot of stuff?

Just counting how many villains or villainous types are in there. Mordo. Kang and probably the TVA. Dark Strange. Possibly-Shuma-Gorath tentacle monster. Possibly Patrick Stewart. Weird many-handed guy at 2:05? Quite possibly whatever Wanda is doing with the Darkhold. I kinda don't like it when they introduce new characters that should be major and then only use them for two scenes.

Marvel's been doing that since the beginning though. Hawkeye debuted in Thor to stand on a tower for a few seconds, and Adam Warlock is so far relegated to a post-credits scene for example. Just because a character only shows up for a scene or two doesn't mean they won't be major eventually. (In fact, I'd argue that's most of the fun of a multiverse story, you can throw a bunch of action figures on screen with the bare minimum of backstory and setup. Judging by No Way Home, it appears to work like gangbusters.)

Anyone know anything about the character shown at 2:05?

Prevailing theory is

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Nightmare

[thatSeniorGuy]

... and Adam Warlock is so far relegated to a post-credits scene for example. ...

Speaking of which, has anything official been said about him? Guardians 2 was nearly five years ago, has he been tossed out the window?

Also, SQUEEEEEE Patrick Stewart!

[Clertar]

Speaking of which, has anything official been said about him? Guardians 2 was nearly five years ago, has he been tossed out the window?

Also, SQUEEEEEE Patrick Stewart!

Last year it was announced that Will Poulter had been cast as Adam Warlock for GG3.

[Psyren]

Speaking of which, has anything official been said about him? Guardians 2 was nearly five years ago, has he been tossed out the window?

Also, SQUEEEEEE Patrick Stewart!

As Clertar mentioned he's confirmed for GG3. In addition, in the comics:

Spoiler: Eternals

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he has ties to the character Eros, who showed up in the Eternals mid-credit scene, so there's a chance he plays a role in the cosmic stuff happening there that will flow into Eternals 2.

[tiornys]

Prevailing theory is

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Nightmare

Thanks! Looks like a solid guess.

[Mordar]

Thanks! Looks like a solid guess.

Really agree. Not a lot of "standard" choices, and with the "every night I have the same dream..." it makes sense.

Spoiler

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Can't use Mephisto without making certain groups unhappy, already dropped Dormammu. Nightmare, D'spayre (also a chance) and a couple others round out the Dr. Strange bigs from my memory...rest are like Mordo and Morganna...

Please be a lead-in to the Defenders of old...

- M

[Psyren]

Actually there is a new prevailing theory for that individual:

Spoiler: Disney+

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It's Zombie Strange from What If?.

This is supported by what appears to be Zombie Wanda (also from What If), who exclusively appeared in the Superbowl Spot at 0:21. Judging by the blood pattern on her face as well as her outfit, that's also her in the trailer at 2:00.

It's not the only nod to What If? either. In the official poster of Stephen shattering the Sanctum's massive observation window into reflective shards, we see one of the shards reflecting Captain Carter's shield from the What If? pilot. The poster is rather large so I linked rather than embedding, but I wanted to find a big one to help with the detail - the shard containing Carter's shield is at the bottom right near the hem of Stephen's cape.) This suggests Captain Carter will be in the movie as well (hopefully played by Hayley Atwell!!)

With this updated theory, we now have a very interesting revised count of Strange Variants in this trailer - a whopping

Spoiler: Doctors Strange

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Four versions and counting.

1) Regular Strange (ours.)
2) Strange Supreme from What If ("Things got out of hand", 1:33)
3) Zombie Strange (Also What If, 2:04)
4) and the one I haven't seen anyone discussing - Defender Strange (aka Ponytail Strange, 0:14 near the beginning of the trailer.)

Defender Strange is a version of the character that represents his commitment to Order, and is convinced he is the best suited to safeguard it. This is likely the version of Strange conceited enough (even moreso than ours) to build a giant statue of himself outside the Sanctum at 1:45.

But wait, what's that last one doing there? Theory again, this ties into the Patrick Stewart voice we hear:

Spoiler: The Truth

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In the comics, there is one famous organization that ties Charles Xavier and Doctor Strange together - Marvel's version of The Illuminati, a shadowy cabal of obscenely rich, smart and morally... questionable metahumans controlling the world behind the scenes. In the MCU, this Illuminati may be controlling the multiverse instead.

While it has fluctuating membership, some of the key players have been:

1) Doctor Strange
2) Charles Xavier
3) Tony Stark
4) Reed Richards
5) Namor
6) Loki

This is likely to be the group that has arrested Our Strange in the trailer. Tony Stark is likely to be present in this version, as the jerkish Superior Iron Man, which explains the Iron Legion Drones escorting Our Strange in handcuffs. This would be further backed up by the rumors that Tom Cruise (who was almost the MCU Iron Man back in 2008!) playing Superior Iron Man in this movie. It's very likely that the Doctor Strange who sits on the Illuminati is the Ponytail/Defender Strange we see at the beginning of the trailer. Superior Iron Man is also very likely to be the glowy individual fighting Wanda at 1:34 in the trailer - giving her another chance to fight Tony Stark like she wanted to in AoU.

This also likely explains why they have America Chavez locked in a box - for a group trying to exert control/order over the multiverse, someone with her powers to hop between realities is uniquely threatening. Or at the very least they could have her locked up so they can weaponize her abilities for themselves.

EDIT: Two more funny/miscellaneous observations from the trailer:

Spoiler: Logos

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The fractured Marvel logo at the beginning of the trailer combines/rotates among the way the Marvel logo has been portrayed before Marvel movies, Sony movies and the Fox X-Men movies. This is further leaning into the idea that this movie will be combining plot elements, story beats and especially actors from all three Marvel variations.

Spoiler: Minotaur

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Fun fact! That bull man with his back turned at 0:55 is likely to be another Sorcerer Supreme named Rintrah from the comics. So the Kamar-Taj we're seeing in the trailer is likely to be a variant, where Rintrah is in charge rather than the Ancient One or Strange.

[theNater]

Spoiler: Doctors Strange

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4) and the one I haven't seen anyone discussing - Defender Strange (aka Ponytail Strange, 0:14 near the beginning of the trailer.)

I suspect the reason nobody's discussing that one is that it's not clear that it's a Doctor Strange at all; the character's face is virtually impossible to make out. It's strongly implied that's a strange through the cut, but Marvel has a history of deceptive editing in trailers, so I'm not willing to trust that implication.

Your other theorizing is well-supported, which makes this conclusion also reasonable. I just want to be clear that those theories are evidence that it's him, rather than his presence being evidence for them.

[Psyren]

I suspect the reason nobody's discussing that one is that it's not clear that it's a Doctor Strange at all; the character's face is virtually impossible to make out. It's strongly implied that's a strange through the cut, but Marvel has a history of deceptive editing in trailers, so I'm not willing to trust that implication.

Your other theorizing is well-supported, which makes this conclusion also reasonable. I just want to be clear that those theories are evidence that it's him, rather than his presence being evidence for them.

I'm very confident that it's him. In addition to the ponytail, his outfit is distinctive (bold red trident shape on black vest, and no levitation cloak) both of which are clearly visible at 0:15 right before SS wakes up.

[Dienekes]

Sam Raimi directing a weird scifi action piece with clear horror elements?

I'm in.

[theNater]

I'm very confident that it's him. In addition to the ponytail, his outfit is distinctive (bold red trident shape on black vest, and no levitation cloak) both of which are clearly visible at 0:15 right before SS wakes up.

Yeah, that seems reasonable. How does that interact with your statue analysis, given that the statue clearly does have the Cloak of Levitation?

[Psyren]

Yeah, that seems reasonable. How does that interact with your statue analysis, given that the statue clearly does have the Cloak of Levitation?

I don't know why PS doesn't have the cloak in his timeline, but however he lost it, the statue could just predate that event. Statues tend to stick around

The one thing we do know about the statue is that it isn't our Strange, as he looked very askance upon seeing it. So it could be PS, SS, or even ZS.

[theNater]

The one thing we do know about the statue is that it isn't our Strange, as he looked very askance upon seeing it.

Let's not go overboard; just because he hasn't seen it before doesn't mean it isn't him. Someone familiar with the multiverse can make a statue of an alternate (to them) Doctor Strange, time travel and precognition exist, what have you.

I agree that it's probably a different Strange, but that's not the same as knowing it.

[Psyren]

Let's not go overboard; just because he hasn't seen it before doesn't mean it isn't him. Someone familiar with the multiverse can make a statue of an alternate (to them) Doctor Strange, time travel and precognition exist, what have you.

I agree that it's probably a different Strange, but that's not the same as knowing it.

You're right let me rephrase - we know ours didn't commission it, or at least doesn't seem to remember doing so. It might be of him.

[ben-zayb]

Spoiler: I mean...

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It sure sounds like Patrick Stewart.

And there's no way Marvel Studios would stunt cast an X-Men actor to make us think they were merging realities when they aren't, because that would just be unheard of

Oh, now I recognize the voice. It's clearly Ralph Bohner's uncle, Patrick Hardeaun.

Let's not go overboard; just because he hasn't seen it before doesn't mean it isn't him. Someone familiar with the multiverse can make a statue of an alternate (to them) Doctor Strange, time travel and precognition exist, what have you.

I agree that it's probably a different Strange, but that's not the same as knowing it.

Alternatively, this could be a memorial in honor of Strange in a universe where he's already dead and someone else like Mordo or Wong is the SS.

Spoiler: The Truth

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In the comics, there is one famous organization that ties Charles Xavier and Doctor Strange together - Marvel's version of The Illuminati, a shadowy cabal of obscenely rich, smart and morally... questionable metahumans controlling the world behind the scenes. In the MCU, this Illuminati may be controlling the multiverse instead.

While it has fluctuating membership, some of the key players have been:

1) Doctor Strange
2) Charles Xavier
3) Tony Stark
4) Reed Richards
5) Namor
6) Loki

Spoiler

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Wasn't Blackbolt also one of those key players? There may be hope to salvage that failed Inhumans IP too.


...and then by Phase 5 or 6 these Illuminati members turn out to be Skrulls, which ties it to the secret invasion storyline or something.

[Psyren]

Alternatively, this could be a memorial in honor of Strange in a universe where he's already dead and someone else like Mordo or Wong is the SS.

Valid.

Spoiler

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Wasn't Blackbolt also one of those key players? There may be hope to salvage that failed Inhumans IP too.


...and then by Phase 5 or 6 these Illuminati members turn out to be Skrulls, which ties it to the secret invasion storyline or something.

Inhumans? Never heard of it.

[ecarden]

Those little clips of Wanda make me a bit twitchy. I see the analogy they're trying to draw and it's not totally ridiculous, but feels like they're going to continue whitewashing the whole 'kidnapped a town and tortured them' thing. But maybe not? It sounds like folks are criticizing her for it, at least. Though people did in Wandavision too, it was just the villain and a bunch of townsfolk, while our named new heroine talks about Wanda's sacrifice...woof that was a rough introduction for a character...hopefully she has a better time elsewhere.

Does anyone know how long this movie's supposed to be? Got a lot of moving parts. Still, No Way Home worked for me, so I've got hopes this will too.

[JadedDM]

Does anyone know how long this movie's supposed to be? Got a lot of moving parts.

I've heard anywhere between 2hr40m to straight up three hours, but I don't know if anything has actually been confirmed yet.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Those little clips of Wanda make me a bit twitchy. I see the analogy they're trying to draw and it's not totally ridiculous, but feels like they're going to continue whitewashing the whole 'kidnapped a town and tortured them' thing.

Second this. Honestly I have no issue with her going supervillain; the mess in Civil War crowned by having to personally kill her boyfriend and then have it all be for nothing is a pretty good arch for it, with the added bonus of giving her more dimension than most MCU villains. But don’t have the narrative pretend she’d still a hero afterwards. She’s not.

[ecarden]

I've heard anywhere between 2hr40m to straight up three hours, but I don't know if anything has actually been confirmed yet.

Thanks. I'm going to pre-emptively complain that movie theatres need to start including intermissions.

Second this. Honestly I have no issue with her going supervillain; the mess in Civil War crowned by having to personally kill her boyfriend and then have it all be for nothing is a pretty good arch for it, with the added bonus of giving her more dimension than most MCU villains. But don’t have the narrative pretend she’d still a hero afterwards. She’s not.

I'm actually okay with hero who did a horrible thing, mostly by accident. But the bit at the end where the narrative pats her on the head and says 'such a noble sacrifice' was almost as bad and condescending as 'isn't he a good little mutineer' from the Last Jedi.

But, to be fair, the comparison isn't out of line. I mean, Wanda accidentally tortured a bunch of people and then moderately deliberately refused to release them as she realized what was happening, then sort-of-deliberately made things worse, then finally, deliberately released them.

While Strange entirely deliberately set out to mind wipe all of reality (something he's apparently done before? for entirely petty reasons? Erasing a party?) which has accidentally had terrible consequences, which he did his level best to immediately clean up.

The actual acts she was doing were worse. The consequences appear to be smaller scale and her mens rea is pretty ambiguous throughout (though she may be more aware of what she's doing than I suggest, just less aware of the harm its causing). But he doesn't get a pat on the head at the end and isn't told he did a good thing. Instead it ends with things all ****ed up and him surrounded by the consequences of his mistake.

This is more a narrative thing than an in-universe thing, which is pretty rare for me. I mean, if I was just sitting in an office reading reports on what these two folks had did, I'd probably say 'both villains (or so stupid/out-of-control they might as well be) but Strange is operating on a universal scale while Wanda's operating on a small town scale, Strange is worse.' But seeing it as a narrative, it's remarkable how much the visible hand of the author in wanting me to not be mad at (or maybe just forgive?) Wanda causes me to buck.

[Ramza00]

Spoiler: Video

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After No Way Home delivered on the hype, I can't wait for this sequel too.

Spoiler: The voice in 1:18

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HOLY! That's Professor X, isn't it?

I don't know much about the comics, but I read World War Hulk and I'm thinking of a connection... are we getting Illuminati?

Give Me

Spoiler: Sands of Time

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James McAcoy as a giant sand worm, with Patrick Stewart providing the voice.

[Psyren]

Oh goody gumdrops I just can't wait to argue more about the ending of WandaVision

For what it's worth, the two scenes in the trailer (Strange in the orchard, and Wanda inside her own mind seemingly back in Westview) suggest that they're going to further address her mistakes in some way and get a bit more karmic with her. With that said, I suspect there is a contingent of fans that won't be satisfied with anything Wanda-related until she is pilloried, drawn and quartered.

[Prime32]

If they really want to blow audiences' minds, then Stewart won't be playing Professor X. He'll be playing...

Spoiler

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[Yanagi]

If they really want to blow audiences' minds, then Stewart won't be playing Professor X. He'll be playing...

Spoiler

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He'll be playing Gaius Sanjanus.

The MCU/I Claudius crossover is the one twist no one will expect.