We are finally one day away from the release of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, one of the most anticipated films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The feature, which features Benedict Cumberbatch reprising the role of the Master of the Mystic Arts, has several connections to other Marvel films and series, which delved into alternate realities from phase 4 of the MCU, the debut of “WandaVision” on Disney +.
Thinking about it, the Technology Refugee made a list of the productions you need to watch before seeing “Doctor Strange 2” in theaters – if you really want to understand the whole plot and basis behind the film. The feature is scheduled for release on May 5 (Thursday) and expects a debut equivalent to that of “Spider-Man: No Return Home” with revenues of approximately US $ 300 million in the first weekend alone.
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Before proceeding, be aware that the text may contain spoilers for Marvel productions!
What to watch to understand “Doctor Strange 2”?
- “Doctor Strange” (2016)
Of course, the Doctor Strange solo movie should be the first one to be watched before going to check out the second one. The feature shows the origin and rise of the hero, including his training by the Elder, former Sorcerer Supreme played by Tilda Swinton, and also the collaboration of the sorcerer Wong, played by Benedict Wong, who helps him in the fields of melee and , subsequently, becomes a great friend of Strange.
A tip is: even for those who have already seen it, it is worth recapitulating the details of the story, since the film was released six years ago and forms the basis for both the sequel and other Marvel series.
- Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame (2018 and 2019)
The Avengers franchise, in general, does not have as many “Doctor Strange 2” connections, however, the 2018 film (Infinity War) is the first in which Strange mentions parallel realities. For those who don't remember, he says he looked into 14.000.605 possible futures during the direct Thanos conflict - a concept explained later in "Loki".
“Endgame” is necessary for explaining the post-conflict of the infinity stones, including the return of Doctor Strange, who had also disappeared from humanity and now sees Wong (Benedict Wong) in the position of Supreme Wizard – a position in which he continues in the sequence. .
- "WandaVision” (2021)
The aforementioned, "WandaVision" was Marvel's entry into Phase 4 of the MCU - MCU phases refer to the bo of films released within a certain period. Phase 4, for example, runs from 2021 to 2023. The series shows some parallel conflicts experienced by Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Visão (Paul Bettany), but brings important revelations to “Doctor Strange”, the plot twist of Wanda becoming the Scarlet Witch – this being her co-protagonist version in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”.
- “Spider-Man: Never Go Home” (2021)
Tom Holland's Spider-Man trilogy needs no introduction, of course, but it is one of the most important to understand the unfolding of the story that "Doctor Strange 2" will show. “Spider-Man: No Return Home” is, let's say, the starting point, since the film's post-credit scenes are the ones that connect Strange to the Scarlet Witch and show the chaos of the multiverse that has settled.
- “Loki” (2021)
“Loki” introduces the concept of possible futures and reveals the character of the One Who Remains (Jonathan Majors) – a variant of the villainous Kang the Conqueror – the superior who has been controlling the sacred timeline. The character is killed by the female variant of Loki, which opens up several ramifications to other realities – a consequence that the character himself explains in the series.
In addition to the variants being present in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, since this channel was opened, it is possible that the connection is also in the events of “Loki” having weakened the temporal barriers, being felt in “Spider-Man 3 — when Strange's spell goes awry.
About “Loki” and “Doctor Strange 2” nothing is yet very clear about the connections, but in view of the bases on time and parallel realities being addressed in both, it is possible that we will see connections. In addition, the series explains all the multiverse concepts that we see - and will still see - throughout Phase 4 of the MCU.
- “What If…?” (2021)
The animation “What If…?” it is “Loki” in practice, since it faithfully presents what would have been if this or that had or had not happened. The series plays with concepts and diversifies the characters, and it has already been revealed in a trailer for “Doctor Strange 2” that the multiverse options presented in the series will be used in the film – the Doctor Strange who succumbed to the pain of losing his beloved Christine Palmer (scene featured in the 2016 film Rachel McAdams) and became a less heroic version of the character.
In addition, in another possible world, Strange and Wanda also become zombies, a version also revealed in promotional material for the new film.
In Brazil, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” premieres Thursday (5), however, the sequel has already had its special release to actors and critics in Los Angeles. As reported by Variety, first impressions of the feature were good, putting the sequence in a “mixed bag” all that it is entitled to. For others, fans "finally got their horror movie" from Marvel, and some even praised its director, Sam Raimi, for the expression "brilliant mind".
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