The follow up to 2016’s Doctor Strange is finally coming to cinemas! In ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,’ Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Dr. Stephen Strange who casts a forbidden spell, opening the multiverse that includes alternate versions of himself. He joins forces with Wong and Wanda Maximoff to face the threat to humanity, but their powers alone may not be enough.

Excited to head to the cinemas to catch this latest MCU movie on the big screen? Here are some interesting film trivia and fun facts about ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ before you catch it in the cinemas!

1. Doctor Strange currently has five film appearances, with the most recent one connected to the upcoming sequel

Marvel fans following the MCU have seen Stephen Strange, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, in Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and the most recent, Spider-Man: No Way Home. ICYMI, in No Way Home, Doctor Strange helps Spider-Man and in the process, tampers with the multiverse. The upcoming Doctor Strange sequel continues from the events that happened in No Way Home, with Strange going out to the madness that is the multiverse. 

2. Also reprising their role in the MCU are Benedict Wong as Wong, Doctor Strange’s friend, and Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff

Both Wong and Cumberbatch starred in No Way Home, and for Multiverse of Madness, they are joined by Olsen who reprises her role as Wanda a.k.a. Scarlet Witch, which had its own series Wandavision on Disney+. The three will also be portraying alternate versions of their MCU characters who they will encounter when the doorway to the multiverse opens.

3. The Illuminati will make an appearance in the film

In this newly released promo clip by Marvel, at its 16-second mark we see Karl Mordo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor say, ‘Stephen Strange, the Illuminati will see you now.’ In the Marvel comics, the Illuminati is a secret society of superheroes that also has multiple versions in the multiverse. Some of the Illuminati’s members include Iron Man, Professor X (who appears in the trailer), Mr. Fantastic, and Black Panther.

4. ‘Multiverse of Madness’ is directed by Sam Raimi, known for directing and producing horror films

This isn’t the first time the ‘Evil Dead’ filmmaker is taking on Marvel superheroes — he directed the Spider-Man trilogy, which starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Sam Raimi returns to directing for the big screen after a 9-year hiatus with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

5. We’ll be introduced to queer Marvel character, America Chavez 

In the film, the lesbian superhero is portrayed by Xochitl Gomez, popular for her role as Dawn in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club. Gomez had to bow out of BSC Season 2 when she landed the role in the new Marvel film. America Chavez a.k.a. ‘Miss America’ first appeared in comics in 2011, and the superhero has multiple superpowers such as flight, super speed, and superstrength.

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‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ opens in Phillippine cinemas on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Book your seats ahead and buy your tickets here.