‘Doctor Strange 2’ May Be a Prequel (Sort Of): MCU Theory Explained
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Phase 4. With Benedict Cumberbatch reprising Doctor Strange and Elizabeth Olsen joining the soiree fresh off WandaVision, the movie will (theoretically) follow the events put forth in the Disney+ series, WandaVision.
Many believe WandaVision will follow the House of M comic book plot trajectory. In this iconic comic book narrative, Scarlet Witch fractures reality, bringing Vision (and her children) back to life to create a perfect Leave-It-to-Beaver-type household. As you can see from the promotional materials, it already appears that WandaVision is aiming for a 1950s sitcom vibe … with a dark twist.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, many presume, will feature Strange as he tries to mend Wanda’s mind and repair the subsequent damage her vast power — left to emotional distress — can wield on the planet and beyond. However, a new theory, posted by a Reddit user and shared by ComicBook.com, has emerged, suggesting that the movie — based on all information available — may function as a prequel, or more appropriately, a sidestep to the events that transpired in Avengers: Endgame.
Breaking down the ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ theory
If you have seen Avengers: Endgame (only non-fans have yet to see the epic conclusion to the grand saga), you already know that the “Time Heist” featured in Avengers: Endgame led to the creation of several new realities, as each trip to a new destination — whether it be S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters or Morag — caused another split, as ComicBook.com explained. Theoretically, these branches could be the “multiverse” Strange must travel through. The theory argues:
…Endgame created a minimum of five separate timelines as a direct result of events happening in the film, meaning the multiverse is already created and waiting for chaos to unfold
Using this theory, that would mean Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness wouldn’t be about a trip between dimensions or worlds — instead, it’d be about the Sorcerer Supreme traveling amongst timelines in hopes of ironing out the kinks so the multiple timelines don’t somehow manage to fold in on themselves.
If we want to get even more technical, Strange himself had previously seen how the Avengers win, meaning it’s all but guaranteed he saw they traveled through time and created half a dozen new timelines in the process.
Explained by ComicBook.com
In short, the idea is that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has already happened; however, fans have yet to see the events transpire from Strange’s point of view; they do not know how he handled the damage Endgame left behind.
Since the film may explore a facet of Endgame unexplored, the movie would not technically be a progression but a sidestep — a look into the aspects of Endgame that remain misunderstood or unaccounted for.
