3 Reasons ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Will Be the Most Important Phase 4 MCU Movie
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to release multiple highly-anticipated Disney+ shows and standalone films as part of Phase 4. From Thor: Love and Thunder and The Eternals to Black Widow, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Loki, fans will get to dive into characters who deserve more exploration, and discover new heroes who have yet to make an appearance.
The phase should, theoretically, perfectly balance some OG Avengers with some new faces, making sure to retain a sense of familiarity before ridding the MCU of all the faces we have come to know and love. While several films will be significant, impacting the landscape in various ways, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is shaping up to be the most important installment of them all. Below, find the three primary reasons this film stand above the rest in terms of significance.
1. ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ will initiate the conversation between the small screen and the silver one
As Marvel President Kevin Feige has already made clear, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will directly tie in to both WandaVision and Loki. The former will likely cement the foundation for the Strange sequel, while the latter’s narrative may face the movie’s repercussions.
Doctor Strange 2 will be responsible for initiating a dialogue — between the streaming platform and the cinema — that, if successful, will know no bounds. An endless array of TV shows and movies — interdependent and referential — may follow suit (if fans are able to keep up with the interweaving narratives occurring on both platforms). However, this is not the only way the movie is bound to impress.
2. ‘The Multiverse of Madness’ is at the center of the MCU’s post-‘Avengers: Endgame’ evolution
As Kevin Feige explained previously, “the multiverse is the next step in the evolution of the MCU” and this movie will “crack open” the landscape in ways fans cannot even imagine. In short, following Strange’s second solo outing, the landscape will likely be free to explore multiple universes — parallel worlds functioning according to different presents and pasts.
The landscape will be able to expand drastically, introducing characters from different time periods and different worlds without undoing or disrupting the universe’s logic. This allows for the introduction of multiple characters who do not exist according to the same histories, and multiple stories that would have otherwise seemed unattainable.
3. The movie may introduce The Illuminati
Marvel insiders recently announced that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may be responsible for introducing The Illuminati, with Professor X and Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four to join the team first. Considering Patrick Stewart recently met with Kevin Feige regarding Professor Xavier, this narrative rumor does not seem like much of a stretch.
If this leak turns out to be true, Doctor Strange 2 may be responsible for catalyzing the formation of a new superhero team and setting up the path that leads to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. In short, this movie is carrying some weight on its shoulders.
