100 Fun Facts About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Who directed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?

He had sworn off superhero films after the reaction to Spider-Man 3, but the challenge of getting the film shooting fast, and his love of the character, won him over.

Which director left the film in January 2020 citing creative differences?

He had directed the 2016 original and went straight on to make The Black Phone; he stayed on as an executive producer.

Which Loki head writer was hired to write the new script?

He was given three weeks for a first draft, which he called 'almost impossible', before the pandemic delay let him and Raimi start from scratch.

Who plays America Chavez?

Marvel had wanted to introduce the character for years and picked this film because her powers relate to the multiverse.

How does America Chavez travel between universes?

She cannot control the power consciously at first, which is why the film starts with her being chased by a demon.

Which Disney+ series sets up Wanda's turn to villainy in the film?

Elizabeth Olsen shot the two back-to-back and asked for script changes so the film would evolve Wanda rather than repeat the series.

Which sorceress sacrifices herself at Kamar-Taj to destroy the Darkhold and break Wanda's spell?

Sheila Atim plays her; the Darkhold prop was designed for WandaVision and reused for the film.

What does Wanda use the Darkhold to do, taking over her counterpart in another universe?

A sorceress named Sara sacrifices herself to burn the book and break the spell, so Wanda goes to Mount Wundagore to do it again.

What is the designation of the main MCU universe in the film?

The alternate world with the Illuminati is Earth-838; the Strange who dies at the start is from Earth-617.

Which mountain is the source of the Darkhold's power?

Wanda finally brings it down herself, destroying every copy of the Darkhold across the multiverse.

Which character holds the title of Sorcerer Supreme on Earth-616 in this film?

Benedict Wong was delighted to stand 'toe-to-toe' with Strange and trained with a former rugby league player for his added action scenes.

Which six characters make up the Illuminati of Earth-838?

They executed their own universe's Strange after he caused an incursion while trying to defeat Thanos.

Which actor plays Reed Richards in the Illuminati scene?

His footage was shot in reshoots to replace a planned Daniel Craig cameo; Olsen filmed the death scene opposite a stand-in and never met him.

Which character did Daniel Craig reportedly turn down over COVID risk to his family?

He judged that a single day's filming was not worth the risk; Krasinski's Reed Richards took the slot.

Which actor's Charles Xavier appears, combining his Fox X-Men films with the 1990s animated series?

He initially denied being in the film after the Super Bowl trailer, then admitted it; his entrance uses the X-Men '97 version of the cartoon theme.

Which Illuminati member had Hayley Atwell previously voiced in What If...?

Atwell disliked how her character's death was played as a joke and pushed for a different approach to the scene.

Lashana Lynch's Illuminati member is an alternate version of which character?

She assumed she would be playing an ancestor of Rambeau and was surprised to learn she was an alternate Captain Marvel.

Anson Mount reprises Black Bolt from which short-lived Marvel TV series?

He shot his scenes during reshoots; his and Reed Richards's costumes were finished with visual effects because of pandemic travel limits.

Which real London location doubled as the chamber where Wanda massacres the Illuminati?

CGI added a new room with a glass entrance and statues; other shoots used Freemasons' Hall and Richmond Park.

Which film did Waldron watch as inspiration for introducing the Illuminati only to have Wanda kill them?

He liked how that film's 'badass' space marines get slaughtered to establish how scary the creatures are.

Which comics Illuminati member did Waldron omit because Coogler had reserved him for Wakanda Forever?

An early draft also had an Earth-838 Hope van Dyne on the team, killed by Wanda clapping her hands.

The one-eyed tentacled monster resembling Shuma-Gorath is called what, for rights reasons?

Its eye was modelled on Elizabeth Olsen's to foreshadow the villain; the Shuma-Gorath name belongs to Heroic Signatures.

What physical change does Strange develop at the end of the film as a consequence of using the Darkhold?

Waldron said the ending felt too happy, so they added a horror-style final twist to show 'the bill comes due'.

Which character does Charlize Theron introduce in the mid-credits scene?

Waldron saved her for the credits so Strange's story with Christine Palmer could be resolved first.

Sam Raimi's frequent collaborator Bruce Campbell cameos as the vendor of what?

He also gets the post-credits scene, still slapping himself under Strange's spell.

Which surgeon and former Strange colleague does Michael Stuhlbarg reprise?

An Earth-838 version was planned, with his severed head found in an elevator like Ray Arnold's arm in Jurassic Park, but scheduling killed it.

What was the film's working title?

Principal photography began in London in November 2020, delayed six months by the pandemic.

Where were several New York City blocks and the Sanctum Sanctorum sets built?

Production designer Charlie Wood built them; the final week of shooting was at Burrow Hill Cider Farm in Somerset.

Which composer, a longtime Raimi collaborator, replaced Michael Giacchino when Raimi took over?

He still quoted Giacchino's Strange theme, the way he had used Silvestri's Avengers theme in Age of Ultron.

Which song from Wanda's Disney+ series plays when she is first introduced in the film?

It comes from the episode 'Don't Touch That Dial', written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.

The Illuminati execute their universe's Strange after he caused what by misusing the Darkhold?

That Strange had been trying to defeat Thanos; the mid-credits scene reveals Earth-616's Strange has now caused one too.

Which Doctor Strange variant was cut from an early draft, a street magician with no mystical abilities?

Another dropped idea was a post-credits scene with a seemingly alive Reed Richards.

What was the film's production budget, making it one of the most expensive films ever made?

Disney spent a further $150 million promoting it.

Approximately how much did the film gross worldwide?

That made it the fourth-highest grosser of 2022; its $452.4 million global opening was the ninth-largest ever.

Its $187.4 million domestic opening beat which film's $151 million as Sam Raimi's biggest opening?

The $90.7 million opening day remains the largest single-day gross ever in May.

Why was the film not released in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi cinema regulator said only 'barely 12 seconds' were at issue; Cumberbatch called the decision 'out of step with everything that we've experienced as a species'.

What object spotted in the trailer reportedly made a Chinese release unlikely?

The paper opposes the Chinese Communist Party; Bob Chapek said the film was already a success without China.

Which film's move to November 2021 pushed Multiverse of Madness back and forced Waldron to rewrite it as a follow-up?

Until then his script had 'blown the lid' on the multiverse; afterwards Strange arrives with multiverse experience already.

Which classic Disney animated film was re-coloured by Disney animators for a scene in the film?

It plays in the alternate-universe apartment where Wanda's Earth-838 self lives with her boys.

The main-on-end title sequence uses what kind of imagery?

Perception designed it because Raimi wanted something that would 'both complement and contrast the film'.

Multiverse of Madness is which numbered MCU film?

It followed Spider-Man: No Way Home and preceded Thor: Love and Thunder in Phase Four.

Roughly how many visual effects shots did the film contain?

Framestore did the universe-hopping sequence, Luma the Gargantos fight, among ten vendors.

What CinemaScore grade did audiences give the film?

Deadline blamed the grade and word of mouth for a 67% second-weekend drop, one of the MCU's steepest.

Where was the teaser trailer first shown, before going online on December 22, 2021?

The full trailer followed at Super Bowl LVI and drew 93 million views in 24 hours by RelishMix's count.

America Chavez comes from which home universe?

Her co-creator Joe Casey refused Marvel Comics' compensation offer, calling it a 'pittance', and got nothing for her film debut.

Which Raimi regular voices one of the Souls of the Damned that attack Strange when he possesses a corpse?

Co-producer Richie Palmer voices another; the zombie sequence was one Raimi initially resisted, having done zombies before.

What was Doctor Strange's costume in the opening sequence, worn by the Earth-617 variant, inspired by?

Cumberbatch plays four Stranges: the one who dies, the corrupted Sinister Strange, the executed Illuminati founder and the hero.

Earth-838's version of Christine Palmer works for which organisation?

Rachel McAdams described this counterpart as a 'Multiversal expert', which gave her far more action than in the first film.

Which minotaur-like Kamar-Taj student from R'Vaal is voiced by Adam Hugill?

Topo Wresniwiro also returns from the first film as Hamir, another Master of the Mystic Arts.

Who voices the Ultron drones seen on Earth-838?

He had already voiced a different Ultron in What If...?, taking over from James Spader, who played the Earth-616 version in Age of Ultron.

Which 'up-and-coming screenwriter' was hired in October 2019 to write the sequel?

She developed the film for about a year with the original creative team and was handed a binder of every Doctor Strange comic ever printed for reference.

The 2016 film's director cited which 2008 movie as the model for a deeper sequel villain?

He wanted a villain that would let the sequel 'go deep' and deliver a more visceral experience than an origin story allows.

Which comic-book villain did the original director say he wanted to feature in a sequel?

He also hoped to expand the small first-film roles of Jonathan Pangborn and Hamir; none of those plans survived the change of director.

The original director planned to start the sequel after finishing which TV series?

That April 2017 report came a year before he quietly closed his deal to direct, with a script to be written through 2019 for an early-2020 shoot.

At which July 2019 event was the film's title officially announced?

Kevin Feige used the same panel to reveal that Elizabeth Olsen's Disney+ series would set the film up directly.

What release date was confirmed when the title was first announced in 2019?

The film slipped three times before arriving almost exactly a year late.

Which actor was reported to be reprising Loki in the film but never appeared?

The report followed the first-season finale of his Disney+ series, which had introduced the multiverse to the MCU.

Reports claimed the first director wanted a 'gnarly, scary movie' like which two A24 films?

Kevin Feige denied that was the reason for the split, saying the studio loved the idea and still wanted the film to open a 'much creepier side' of the MCU.

The screenwriter drew on which animated series to make big sci-fi ideas 'digestible'?

He said the show taught him to introduce huge concepts without bogging audiences down in 'the boring details'.

Which multiverse villain did the writer leave out so the film would not feel 'overstuffed'?

He felt a second villain would leave a 'watered-down' Wanda who was neither protagonist nor antagonist.

Which head writer of Wanda's Disney+ series was consulted to continue her story?

The screenwriter read every script of the series and watched it in full while writing the film.

Which 2013 film was the director's most recent feature before this one?

He said he was curious how making big-budget films had changed in the nine years since, and had to catch up on the MCU's storylines.

After Sony took the November 2021 slot in April 2020, the film was moved to which date?

That date lasted until October 2021, when the film shifted one final time to early May.

A brief cameo by which MCU hero was planned for the film before the pandemic intervened?

The reverse was also planned: Strange's new costume and America Chavez were to appear in that hero's own 2021 film.

Who was the film's cinematographer?

He is better known for Ridley Scott films such as Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven.

Which IMAX-certified camera system was the film shot on?

The director used perspective tricks and his trademark camera moves to build what he called a feeling of anxiety for the audience.

Who co-edited the film alongside Tia Nolan?

He is a longtime Raimi editor and shared an Oscar for The Hurt Locker.

The six-week reshoots in late 2021 took place in which city?

The Hollywood Reporter called the new photography 'significant', adding cameos and variants in the spirit of No Way Home and Loki.

Which cosmic entity makes a brief appearance in the film?

In the comics it sits in judgment over entire universes, making it one of Marvel's most powerful beings.

The Illuminati's Xavier repeats a line of dialogue from which X-Men film?

The performance deliberately blends the Fox films with the 1990s animated series.

Storyboards suggest which Iron Man villain's counterpart was considered for the Illuminati?

Artist Soren Bendt's boards for the massacre scene show him alongside the Daniel Craig role that was never filmed.

Tom Cruise was rumoured to play which alternate version of Tony Stark?

Cruise had been in contention for Stark in the 1990s; he was never approached because of his Mission: Impossible schedule.

Which Fox character did the writer discuss including before deciding it was not 'the right place'?

Ryan Reynolds would eventually cross into the MCU two years later instead.

Who was the film's costume designer?

He made nearly every costume except two Illuminati suits, which pandemic travel limits forced the effects team to finish digitally.

The composer first worked with the director on which 1990 film?

The pair went on to make A Simple Plan and two Spider-Man films together before this one.

At which London studio did the composer conduct the orchestra for the score?

He had begun writing temporary music for use on set a year earlier, in February 2021, long before scoring proper.

Which Alan Silvestri theme plays when the Illuminati's super-soldier appears?

It was written for Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011.

For legal reasons, the X-Men cartoon theme is credited to Shuki Levy and which other executive?

The theme's actual composer, Ron Wasserman, goes uncredited on the film.

Who composed the updated animated X-Men theme heard at Xavier's introduction?

Their version was made for a revival series that would not premiere until 2024, two years after the film.

A 2022 commercial featuring the Cloak of Levitation promoted which laundry detergent?

Procter & Gamble released it in April, a month before the film opened.

Which gaming brand made custom co-branded console kits and controllers for the film?

Energy-drink maker G Fuel was another promotional partner.

A watch from which luxury maker features in the film?

Strange's broken watch from Christine was already a key prop in the first film.

Eight VTubers from which agency promoted the film in a pre-premiere stream?

The YouTube event ran on May 3, the day before the film's first international openings.

Where did the film hold its world premiere on May 2, 2022?

The Hollywood venue is also the home of the Academy Awards.

IMAX confirmed the film would not be released in which country, besides Saudi Arabia?

Advance tickets also vanished from cinema websites in Kuwait and Qatar, while the UAE kept selling them.

On what date did the film begin streaming on Disney+?

Subscribers could choose between the theatrical cut and an IMAX Enhanced version.

Which film first overtook it as 2022's highest domestic grosser after it passed The Batman?

It finished the year fourth in the US and Canada with $411.3 million.

Which country was the film's biggest market outside North America?

It took $51.4 million there, narrowly ahead of South Korea's $49.2 million.

What approval rating does the film hold on Rotten Tomatoes?

The consensus says it 'labors under the weight of the sprawling MCU' but is rescued by the director's distinctive style.

RogerEbert.com's Brian Tallerico dismissed the film with which label?

He faulted its characterisation and heavy reliance on CGI, a complaint several critics shared.

TheWrap's critic compared the film unfavourably to which other 2022 multiverse movie?

Alonso Duralde still praised the score and visuals while knocking the writing and character development.

Elizabeth Olsen won which prize at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards?

She was nominated in the same category at the Critics' Choice Super Awards but lost there.

Which top prize did the film win at the People's Choice Awards that December?

Olsen took home Female Movie Star and Action Movie Star of 2022 the same night.

The score's Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement was for which cue?

It was nominated at the February 2023 ceremony in the Instrumental or A Cappella category.

Which cast member earned a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Film?

His expanded role included new action scenes he trained for with a former rugby league player.

Which Saturn Award did the movie take home in October 2022?

The same score also won Best Original Score in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

The film's making-of special belongs to which Disney+ documentary series?

It arrived on July 8, 2022, just over two weeks after the film itself reached the service.

The writer compared Strange to Indiana Jones with the intellect of which chef?

He saw Strange as an adventure hero who can 'take a punch' and is 'at the height of his powers' in this film.

Who play Earth-838's Billy and Tommy, reprising their roles from Wanda's Disney+ series?

Both were reportedly spotted on set at a Somerset cider farm in the final week of shooting, a year before their casting was confirmed.

The screenwriter's cameo casts him as a guest at whose wedding?

The wedding opens Strange's story in this universe, confronting him with the choice he made at the end of the first film.