Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Doctor Strange

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Rating Teases Horror Elements

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Rating Teases Horror Elements

    The British Board of Film Classification has become an essential part of evaluating productions in the U.K. market. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has now seemingly received a 12A rating, but what stood out is that they also included some descriptions on which they base their rating. Even with this rating, it seems that Sam Raimi’s upcoming film will include quite a few horrific horror sequences as revealed by their description of why it got the rating that it did. It offers our first look at just how far the film will push the envelope for its horror elements.

    If you want to avoid any potential spoilers for the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, then only continue at your own risk. You have been warned.

    There is one section that highlights injury details such as that one “dead body show some stages of decomposition” which is very likely the zombified Doctor Strange we saw in one of the trailers. That is not all, as one section titled “threat and horror” highlights even more aspects of what we can expect from the upcoming film, which offers some promising horror elements.

    Scenes of horror include demonic beings attacking people; a decomposing corpse being reanimated; people being burned by magical powers, leaving charred remains; and multiple ‘jump scares’. There are also frequent scenes of threat, in which people are pursued by demonic entities and monsters, or threatened with magical torture.

    It sounds very promising that Raimi was given full reign to embrace as many horror elements as he could in the upcoming film. Plus, a concept like a multiverse gives them some creative ways of creating some iconic horror moments. The inclusion of jump scares also highlights that they will dabble in some clichés from the genre and hopefully also set up Marvel Studios to further explore horror stories moving forward.

    Source: BBFC

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ No Longer Releasing in Egypt

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ No Longer Releasing in Egypt

    Once Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was banned to release in Saudi Arabia, it was only a question of time before other countries would follow suit. IMAX Egypt took to its official Twitter account to announce that the screenings for the Doctor Strange sequel have been canceled in the country. While no explicit reason is stated, it’s very likely due to the fact that Marvel Studios refuses to remove LGBTQ elements. Xochitl Gomez will play the character of America Chavez, who has been openly gay in the comics.

    Currently, the film is banned in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar but the United Arab Emirates is still seemingly open to showcasing the film. Even Eteranls, which also included an openly LGBTQ character, was released on the market. These two films refused to adapt their offerings and are some of the few films moving away from this trend. Warner Bros. still removed LGBTQ scenes for the Chinese release of Fantastic Beast: the Secrets of Dumbledore. claiming it won’t change the film’s score, which adds some questionable aspects about how these story elements are so easily removed.

    It’s not been easy for LGBTQ representation worldwide, and there are still markets where these discussions aren’t at a stage that one might expect. As Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently sticking to its guns, we will also very unlikely see the film release in China, which hasn’t let in any of the last few Marvel films. It’s great to see the film stick to its guns and not adapt its film to just add to its box office worldwide. We’ll see just how big the film might end up being though, as it currently is doing quite well in its presales.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Michael Waldron on the Challenges of the Multiverse and Keeping the Focus on Doctor Strange

    ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Michael Waldron on the Challenges of the Multiverse and Keeping the Focus on Doctor Strange

    Michael Waldron is the mastermind not only behind Loki but also the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel, Multiverse of Madness. He’ll explore the multiverse that he unleashed, but is very aware of the true dangers of exploring this kind of storyline. It offers the endless possibility, especially if you lose focus along the way on why exactly you’re telling the story. Yet, the unique scenario also lends itself to create a unique character study.

    The danger is you can expand your scope too wide, and you can actually reduce the stakes if you don’t make it personal as you go bigger and wider. But the opportunity in the multiverse is to have characters confront literal ‘What ifs?’ and alternate versions of themselves and perhaps others in their lives. It’s an interesting way to hold up a mirror to characters

    Michael Waldron

    He highlights that this is definitely a “Doctor Strange’s story above all else,” which may help some that were getting worried after the recent statement by Bruce Campbell, where he jokingly referenced that Benedict Cumberbatch may not know if he’s even in the film, as director Sam Raimi had to adapt some elements due to story consistency.

    In every way, it shapes the emotional heart of the story. It has to. The multiverse isn’t just a MacGuffin where we’re like, ‘Okay, this is just a kitschy thing that we’re playing with in this movie.’ If you’re faced with alternate realities and with alternate versions of yourself that has to become the emotional heart, exploring who you might be if you were a different version of yourself, if you made other choices, the right choices or the wrong choices. It’s complex stuff, emotionally, and that’s exactly why it’s so thrilling and so great for a cast as dramatically talented as this one.

    Michael Waldron

    He also highlighted that he rewatched the first film multiple times to ensure that this is definitely his story even with all the multiverse shenanigans going on. It’s certainly promising to see how Strange faces the What Ifs of his Variants and how that might affect his future.

    Source: SFX

  • Paul Bettany Expects to Put on Vision’s “Tights and Cloak” Again

    Paul Bettany Expects to Put on Vision’s “Tights and Cloak” Again

    There have been many theories that the inclusion of Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange in the Multiverseof Madness might also see the potential appearance of Paul Bettany‘s Vision. While we saw a white version of the character fly off in WandaVision, we haven’t heard much about what the future has in store for him. Luckily, Entertainment Weekly got a chance to talk to him and he hinted that he expects to return as Vision in the near future.

    No, the honest answer to that is — well maybe it’s not the honest answer, but it’s the answer I’m going to give you and you’ll just have to cope with it — at the end of WandaVision, you see Vision fly off and that’s a loose end. And Kevin Feige is a man who doesn’t really allow loose ends. So I assume at some point I will be putting on my tights and cloak for another outing, but I don’t know when that might be.

    Paul Bettany

    Of course, it’s quite vague and no one knows exactly when we might expect him. The actor has been busy with A Very British Scandal but a potential return in the near future certainly seems to be on the table. perhaps he already got whispers on what to expect and is playing coy, especially when he highlighted that Feige doesn’t like to keep loose ends. So, we’ll see what they might have in store for us and the Vision’s new path to self-discovery.

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • ‘Multiverse of Madness’, ‘Love and Thunder’ Top Fandango’s Most Anticipated List

    ‘Multiverse of Madness’, ‘Love and Thunder’ Top Fandango’s Most Anticipated List

    While Summer isn’t exactly just around the corner, the Summer movie season is and 2022 is shaping up to be quite the season. The long-awaited sequel to 1986’s Top Gun, another Jurassic Park film and the Buzz Lightyear origin story you didn’t know you needed are among the choices audiences will have this Summer, but according to a poll by Fandango, it’s a pair of Marvel Studios’ films that have audiences most excited.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6th) and Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8th) were the top two choices in a poll that was voted on by over 6,000 moviegoers. Jurassic Park: Dominion and Top Gun: Maverick were right behind, followed by two animated films in Pixar’s Lightyear and Dreamworks’ Minions: The Rise of Gru. Elvis, Jordan Peele’s Nope, Bullet Train and Downton Abbey: A New Era rounded out the top 10, all of which should be incredibly successful at the box office.

    Even in a Summer where Tom Cruise’s return as Maverick is in the cards, it’s not surprising to see two Marvel Studios’ projects top the list. The Doctor Strange sequel’s perceived connection to the story of the wildly successful Spider-Man: No Way Home has driven advance ticket sales; meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the fourth Thor film hasn’t taken away interest. Even as critics continue to pump out think pieces about superhero fatigue, superhero films still top the list for audiences.

  • Bruce Campbell Talks Marvel Studios Influence on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Reshoots

    Bruce Campbell Talks Marvel Studios Influence on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Reshoots


    We’ve heard a lot about the work that’s been done on the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. Multiverse of Madness will be filmed to the brim, as is expected with a project that explores the multiverse. We’ve heard that Spider-man: No Way Home was forced to change directions due to the pandemic and Marvel Studios had to reshuffle their schedules, but it looks like something similar happened to the upcoming Doctor Strange film.

    In an interview with Game Informer, Bruce Campbell was asked a few questions which included the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. There were many rumors about various reshoots being underway as they were building up to its release in a few weeks. While it’s not uncommon, he did offer some insight into what led to some of the changes, such as some story aspects needing to be adapted by Sam Raimi.

    The Marvel guys, they make eight of these movies at the same time, so they’re always updating storylines. So, my buddy Sam [Raimi] has had to add scenes that [Marvel] told him he had to shoot, and he’s removed scenes that no longer apply. So until May rolls around I don’t think Benedict Cumberbatch even knows if he’s in this movie or not.

    Bruce Campbell

    It’s not uncommon that executives have some influence on how productions follow, but Marvel Studios has the challenge of also keeping somewhat of continuity between their overarching storylines and connections from one project to another.

    The pandemic, as mentioned previously, left them with quite the blow as more things ended up getting shuffled around and it seems Doctor Strange was affected as well. Of course, his reference to Benedict Cumberbatch not knowing if he’s in the film is more of a joke on how much work goes into these films and their many moving parts.

    Source: YouTube via The Direct

  • New ‘Doctor Strange’ Tie-In Ad for Tide Includes Reference to Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 2’

    New ‘Doctor Strange’ Tie-In Ad for Tide Includes Reference to Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man 2’

    It’s not uncommon for big blockbuster films to get tie-in ads nowadays, as a way to not only promote the film but also a way for brands to get some attention. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seemingly has one with Tide, where Wong is on the hunt for Strange’s Levitation cape after spilling his Tuna Melt on it. Yet, what stands out is actually the small inclusion that fans of Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man might quite enjoy.

    If you look closely, you can see a food truck with the name “Joe’s Pizza Parlor.” Fans of Spider-Man 2 might instantly recognize that as the place where Peter worked while trying to balance his time as a web-slinging vigilante. Its inclusion is a great little detail and hopefully means we might get a few Spider-Man references in the upcoming film with Raimi in the director’s chair.

    Spider-Man fans are petitioning for Tobey Maguire to get a pizza-based cameo in Far from Home

    Bruce Campbell joined the project in an unknown role. So, we might definitely expect some fun references to his other projects like Evil Dead, especially with the horror vibes. Now that Tobey Maguire returned to the role of Spider-Man, there have been theories that perhaps he even returns in the upcoming film, especially with Raimi in the directing chair. It seems like the perfect opportunity to have them reunite. Of course, the multiverse is vast and who knows what direction the director took with the project, as there are many more opportunities in how they approach the project. We’ll still have to wait just a little longer before we can watch it.

    Source: Twitter

  • Review: Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ Doctor Strange Supreme Pop!

    Review: Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ Doctor Strange Supreme Pop!

    Marvel Studios first canonical animated series, What If…?, introduced fans to a Variant of Doctor Strange whose life turned out quite differently than the one from the Sacred Timeline. This version, who couldn’t bare to live in a world without Christine Palmer, sacrificed everything, including his universe, to find a way to keep her alive. Doctor Strange Supreme became one of the most powerful figures in the Marvel Studios Multiverse and now, ahead of his rumored return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, you can add a fantastic looking Funko Pop of the character to your collection.

    Much like the Star-Lord T’Challa figure, Strange Supreme comes with a nice stand that allows him to levitate amongst your collection.

    Marvel's What If Doctor Strange Supreme Pop! Vinyl Figure

    The Strange Supreme Funko can be ordered from Entertainment Earth by clicking here for $11.99 and become a part of your own Multiverse of Madness!

    Murphy’s Multiverse is an Entertainment Earth affiliate.

  • ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Officially Rated PG-13

    ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Officially Rated PG-13

    While it should come as no surprise, the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been officially given a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association. While there was little question that the Doctor Strange sequel would match the rating of the rest of the current MCU, fans excited for the promised horror elements of the Sam Raimi-direct film might be pleased with the MPA’s reasoning for the rating. The MPA cites “intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language.”

    The notes of “intense sequences of violence and action” and “some language” are fairly standard for MCU movies, but the mention of “frightening images” further confirms Marvel Studios’ promise that Multiverse of Madness will be the MCU’s first horror film and that Raimi’s unique style indeed remained a major part of the final cut.

    In the past, few questioned the PG-13 model of the MCU. However, as new characters start to be introduced—such as Deadpool or Blade—demands for R-rated and more mature content has increased. At the same time, the MCU is set to debut its first non-PG-13 project with Ms. Marvel, which has been given a TV-PG rating for its Disney+ residency. Director Sam Raimi is also no stranger to PG-13 horror films, such as his 2009 film Drag Me to Hell, which proved that you don’t require an R-rating to offer the right horror vibes for a story.

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hit theaters on May 6, 2022.

    Source: Film Ratings

  • Sam Raimi’s Crew Gifts Included His Comic References for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    Sam Raimi’s Crew Gifts Included His Comic References for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

    It’s not uncommon that various productions would get crew gifts as part of their involvement in bringing these projects to life. In the case of Sam Raimi, it seems that he had a very different approach. Stunt Coordinator Mark Wagner took to his personal Instagram account and revealed that the director gave him some of his reference materials as a gift for working on Marvel Studios’ latest film. While he didn’t reveal every issue he received, the one he did share is quite a curious one.

    It seems that he got an issue of Doctor Strange #48 that heavily included the character of Clea and was even the return of Brother Vodoo. Now, we have to keep in mind that story elements or even visual references are commonly used in comics. So, just because it includes these characters doesn’t mean it’ll definitely also have them appear in the film. Still, they might include elements or references to the characters, as there are probably many secrets we still don’t know about the film’s upcoming release.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CYf5r7Pubjw/

    While the trailers have given us a few glimpses at the direction of the film, it still feels like there’s so much we know very little about. If Clea does arrive, it might be interesting to see how it might connect to Strange’s arc with Christine Palmer. Perhaps a multiversal version of her was possessed by the Dormammu relative and would become the reason that we see a corrupted version of the good Doctor in the trailer. Of course, she may also be the key to solving it all alongside America Chavez, who will also make her debut in the upcoming film. We only have a month more to go until we finally have our answers.

    Source: Instagram