At long last, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will begin filming soon. Speaking with Watch Time India, star Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that the sequel will begin production by early November. This will mark the Sorcerer Supreme’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe following last year’s Avengers: Endgame.
“I’m in pre-production with the second “Dr Strange” film, which is very exciting. We will start filming in late October or early November,” Cumberbatch said.
Sam Raimi is set to direct the film. Scott Derrickson, who directed 2016’s Doctor Strange, was originally on board. However, creative differences caused him to depart the project. Derrickson will still be on board as an executive producer. Michael Waldron is set to pen the screenplay.
Plot details for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness remain under wraps. But Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch is set to appear. The film will also tie directly into the upcoming Disney+ series WandaVision.
“It’s a joy when you get a role like Dr. Strange because obviously the two things sort of tie in,” Cumberbatch said in the interview in speaking about balancing spirituality with his daily life. “I mean, it’s that whole movement in which Steve Ditko and Stan Lee came about because of the fusion between Eastern and Western thoughts. So it’s a part of the day job. I mean there was a fantastic force for making it a real presence in my life. I have a dear friend – a Tibetan monk who was on set quite a lot, who we meditated with when we were shooting in Nepal not long after that tragic earthquake.”
“With the film we tried to make the infrastructure work to show that Nepal is open for business and that they are capable of having us,” Cumberbatch continued. “Also it’s so important for us as a collective, working on a film that’s based on an understanding that’s beyond the physical scientific realm, to try and bring ourselves into a space that’s more spiritual and my God, you know, filming in Kathmandu around the burning pyres, the Pashupatinath temple, just using those iconic parts, as well as the back streets and the people of Nepal to set that into context for cabotage. It wasn’t just window dressing, I think it was an important social statement and a real honing in for our work, but also beyond that.
While it has been a long time since Stephen Strange appeared in a solo movie he has been present in the MCU. Cumberbatch appeared in Thor: Ragnarok, as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Doctor Strange was a hit grossing $677 million at the global box office. Despite that, it has taken some time to get the follow-up off the ground.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently set to hit theaters on March 25, 2022.
So what do you think? Are you excited for the return of Doctor Strange? What characters would you like to see in the sequel? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
