When Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness was initially revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Elizabeth Olsen’s selection as Wanda Maximoff was the sole unexpected casting news. Despite the fact that her tale was meant to follow straight from the events of WandaVision, she would be the film’s most important new character, alongside Doctor Strange, while returning characters Wong and Baron Mordo would ultimately join the conflict.
After then, the plot and actor list of this film devolved into…pardon the pun…craziness.
The film’s two complete trailers and the Super Bowl TV ad have teased several prospective heroes and villains who may play a part in the sprawling narrative, which is expected to be released in May. The promotional material has led to confirmation and suspicions that a slew of legendary Marvel characters from both the MCU and other parallel worlds would make cameo appearances.
With that in mind, The Direct has produced a list of 34 characters that are either believed to feature in Docto
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Confirmed status
Doctor Strange wouldn’t be the same without Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Stephen Strange. Cumberbatch is expected to make his sixth appearance as Marvel’s master sorcerer, despite the fact that this is just his second standalone film following his initial appearance in Doctor Strange in 2016.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans last saw Strange working with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, having performed the spell that initially ripped the Multiverse open in order to aid Peter Parker with his identity dilemma. Strange finished the threequel by casting the spell the way it was intended to be done, leaving the world with no memory of Peter’s presence.
As his sorcery powers improve, Strange will face obstacles he’s never faced before.
Strange’s place as a pivotal player among the Avengers was foreshadowed in the film’s original description, along with the fact that he’s more ambitious than ever with magic. Of course, he’s been a central character in both of the film’s first two trailers, with lots of footage showing where his quest will take him.
While Doctor Strange, the MCU’s central character, will be the focus of attention in his standalone sequel, he will not be alone. On reality, he won’t be the only Doctor Strange encountered by fans in this quest.
Defender Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Stephen Strange will discover exactly how powerful and significant he is in more than just his own world after the Multiversal portal is reopened in this new sequel. After scaring out when Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men appeared alongside Tom Holland’s MCU hero, he’ll see distinct versions of himself in his forthcoming standalone film.
Defender Strange is one of them, and it has the potential to offer one of Marvel Studios’ most formidable characters an interesting twist.
In the comics, this version of Strange was a member of Marvel’s Defenders squad, forming alliances with renowned characters like the Hulk and Valkyrie. His clothing is almost similar to the one he wore when battling with the Defenders, except the ponytail haircut he wears to further separate him from the film’s main hero.
Sinister Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
Sinister Strange makes a terrifying appearance towards the conclusion of the first trailer for the sequel.
Sinister Strange, dressed in darker robes and with a more unkempt appearance than any of his contemporaries, sparked a lot of debate when he initially appeared. One of the first wild entrants to be officially verified was Benedict Cumberbatch’s third role in this film.
The thought that this new Variant may be the same Doctor Strange Supreme saw in What If…? sparked a lot of debate about him in Multiverse of Madness. The subtitles in the Super Bowl teaser, however, disproved this theory.
Sinister Strange seems to be taking a far darker turn than the MCU’s cartoon sorcerer, who seemed to do everything he did out of despair.
Supreme Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
In a reality where there has only been one Doctor Strange since his debut in 2016, the character’s standalone sequel is going all out. The presence of a fourth good doctor in the film has now been established.
While nothing is known about him, a leaked Funko Pop! picture hinted at the possibility of a new Doctor Strange variant named “Supreme Strange.” This version of Cumberbatch’s hero wears blue robes that are lighter in color than any of his contemporaries and is entirely shaved, which should help him stand out from the ponytailed Defender Strange and the shaggy-looking Sinister Strange.
This looks to be the Strange represented on a large statue in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum, which the prime Strange could be seen admiring momentarily in footage from the Super Bowl teaser.
Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)
Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch returns to the big screen after almost three years away for her debut Phase 4 theatrical film.
Wanda Maximoff has come a long way since being resurrected in Avengers: Endgame, as seen by her nine episodes of WandaVision on Disney+. The series finished with the heroine embracing her Scarlet Witch character, and she was revealed to have a major part in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in the first teaser.
Wanda will appear in the film because Doctor Strange seeks her assistance with his new journey into the Multiverse, according to the trailers. Wanda is now more strong than ever, and she seems to have let some Darkhold evil magic take hold of her, as seen by the image of her floating in the air with blackened fingers and sinister modifications to her attire.
Variant Wanda? (Elizabeth Olsen)
The Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, wasn’t the first Scarlet Witch to appear on television, as a fateful encounter in Westview, New Jersey established the existence of a Wanda Variant!
Wanda was shown on her knees in her full Scarlet Witch garb, crying, as another version of herself gazed down, perhaps in wrath, in just a few seconds of film. This Variant was dressed in a more casual attire and had bruises on her face, which might have resulted from the two Scarlet Witches’ forthcoming struggle in their family home.
It’s unclear how or why this Wanda Variant enters the tale, particularly considering she’s only had less than five seconds of screen time in the trailers so far. In fact, with the reference to WandaVision, this is the only scene that confirms that the film will contain Wanda Variants at all.
Wong (Benedict Wong)
Wong, played by Benedict Wong, is one of Doctor Strange’s most essential supporting characters in the comics and on the big screen. A second Doctor Strange solo film would be a shame if the master of magic didn’t return for more action.
With one scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home and a semi-cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Wong has been a greater part of Phase 4 than virtually anybody else in Multiverse of Madness so far. After Strange blipped in Avengers: Infinity War, placing him in control of Kamar Taj and the training of all sorcerers, the Spider-Man threequel stated that he now possesses the title of Sorcerer Supreme.
Doctor Strange’s future adventure across the Multiverse will be advised and protected by Wong, who has featured in every teaser and TV advertisement so far. Despite his aversion to being engaged in Strange’s spell to assist Peter Parker mend his life at the end of 2021, he’ll have to be more involved this time.
America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez)
Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez, who was hinted as early as Summer 2020, would be the largest addition in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Gomez was cast in March 2021, and promotional footage shows her in action for a few seconds, confirming her role in the plot.
America Chavez will assist expose Doctor Strange and Wanda to what she knows about the Multiverse, as she comes in with extraordinary Multiversal talents and the ability to lead the MCU’s next generation of Young Avengers. She has the ability to travel across several universes and has been hinted to have a connection with the film’s main antagonists.
Multiverse of Madness should be only the beginning of America Chavez’s thrilling MCU reign, as several Young Avengers have already made their debuts in Disney+ series and movies.
Gargantos
Apart from the strong individuals who will propel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness onward, interdimensional creatures will also make their MCU debut. Gargantos, the one-eyed, green, slimy, tentacled extraterrestrial who has appeared in every piece of promotional material published to date, is the most prominent of them.
The malevolent Shuma-Gorath was initially considered to be the figure, but Marvel Studios was unable to bring that precise creature to the big screen due to licensing difficulties. Now, with Gargantos, Marvel is introducing a new Multiversal monster, one that has already been revealed to wreak catastrophic harm to an unidentified metropolis in his Marvel Studios premiere.
Rintrah
In the Doctor Strange sequel, Marvel is getting more than simply a huge tentacled extraterrestrial. The heroes’ side of the battle receives its own formidable entity in the form of Rintrah, a Minotaur!
The green and hairy monster first appeared in comic books in 1986 as a mysterious entity from the planet R’Vaal before joining Doctor Strange on countless adventures. Rintrah made his initial appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the second teaser for Marvel Studios’ first film in 2022, after being teased in numerous promotional materials.
Rintrah has only viewed a few of seconds of film so far, which includes a distant image of his horse-like visage. Fans are eager to see more of the mythical creature in action, whether it’s via his physical powers or his metaphysical abilities.
Master Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo made an impression in 2016’s Doctor Strange, as he assisted the eponymous hero on his path to become a sorcerer before departing Kamar Taj on his own journey to become even more powerful. While Ejiofor will reprise his role as Mordo in the standalone sequel, the strong magician will seem to be a new version this time.
This one is known as Master Mordo, and many believe he is a Variant who acts as his world’s Sorcerer Supreme. Mordo in this rendition wears a more opulent green outfit and has top-notch black dreadlocks streaming from his head, and he looks to have even more power than Mordo in the original film.
This Mordo is shown in the trailers fighting Doctor Strange, but his presence will be much more than that. “Your perversion of reality will not go unpunished,” he says to Strange.
It’s uncertain whether the same Mordo from Doctor Strange will return alongside Master Mordo in this film, with the former presumably still seeking Strange for “violating the natural law.” Even with that mystery, Master Mordo will bring a new level of narrative to this quest, especially with the reported participation of the Illuminati.
Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams)
Christine Palmer, played by Rachel McAdams, had a significant part in helping Stephen Strange realize himself as a man outside of his magical adventure, even though she isn’t precisely a love interest. Despite the fact that there are plenty of other significant actors in the mix, it would be a travesty if she didn’t return for her second MCU cameo following her initial appearance in 2016’s Doctor Strange.
Christine put up her best attempt to preserve the Ancient One before the former Sorcerer Supreme met her demise when viewers last saw her. Christine, who has been totally absent from Strange’s storylines for more than five years, dispatched Doctor Strange on his quest to confront Kaecillius and Dormammu in Hong Kong and the Dark Dimension.
Christine will return for more magic and crazy, according to the first teaser for Multiverse of Madness, which was released after her casting was revealed at Disney Investor Day 2020. However, like with many other characters in this film, the major issue is how many Christine Palmers there will be.
The majority of the film so far has been from her wedding, which shows the main woman in a white gown walking down the aisle and then sprinting outdoors to check what’s going on in her world. Although this seems to be primary Christine, there is a variation of McAdams’ MCU doctor who may be someone entirely else.
Nicodemus West (Michael Stuhlbarg)
Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays Dr. Nicodemus West, will reprise his role as Strange’s coworker in the Doctor Strange sequel.
Fans perceived him in a workplace feud with Strange, despite the fact that he barely appeared in a few moments. Things concluded with West attempting to save the Ancient One’s life in the emergency room alongside Strange and Christine Palmer, but it’s unclear where his tale will go from there.
In the first trailer, Stuhlbarg’s character was seen for a fleeting second next to the good doctor during Christine Palmer’s wedding, with a wide smile on his face. He was also confirmed as a member of the cast in one of the film’s official synopses, although it’s unclear how significant his participation in the overall storyline will be.
Ultron Drones
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will include the reappearance of Ultron sentries, who were reported to emerge from another dimension, according to The Direct in October 2021. While their exact purpose is uncertain, the Super Bowl advertising material depicted these robots making their triumphant comeback following their first appearance in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.
One of these robots was shown sprinting behind Christine Palmer at the Illuminerdi’s headquarters in the TV advertisement, and they were also seen taking Stephen Strange to what will most likely be a hearing in front of the Illuminati in the complete new trailer. These drones seem to have received a design makeover, as they now appear to be considerably more sleek and polished than they were seven years ago.
Sara
While no actor has been confirmed for the part, a character called Sara has been verified through a leaked Funko Pop! Sara is most likely a magical newbie training at Kamar Taj with Strange, Wong, Rintrah, and others as the sequel gets underway, based on her blue sorcerer’s robes.
Sara Wofle, who temporarily carried the title of Wong’s girlfriend in several runs of the comics, is one possibility for who this figure is. Other hypotheses have suggested that she is Sara Krowler, also known as Baroness Mordo and Baron Mordo’s mother, which would add an intriguing twist to the plot.
Professor X (Patrick Stewart)
With the suspected presence of Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier, this Multiversal adventure has become quite insane.
Stewart has portrayed the character for 17 years with 20th Century Fox, and reports have been circulating that he would join the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the end of 2021. While he hasn’t been confirmed to be a part of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, all indicators point to his being there.
Fans believe Stewart’s voice was the one telling Doctor Strange “we should give him the truth” when the scene moved to an unnamed individual, despite Stewart’s denial. Professor X would be a good contender to command the Multiversal squad if rumors of Marvel’s Illuminati come to fruition, given his extraordinary strength and intellect.
Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell)
Hayley Atwell, who last featured as the Multiversal Variant Captain Carter in 2021’s What If…?, is one of the MCU’s longest-serving supporting actors. Before leading the Guardians of the Multiverse into combat against Infinity Ultron in her world, she was the one who received the Super Soldier Serum in Project Rebirth.
Now, a little peek of Peggy Carter’s shield on the Doctor Strange 2 poster might be hinting to a live-action transition for Atwell’s new Peggy Carter.
In July 2022, rumors surfaced claiming that Atwell will appear in the Multiversal sequel as Captain Carter in a minor capacity. With her shield appearing on the movie poster, it’s impossible to dismiss that as a viable possibility.
Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch)
Brie Larson’s character has already featured in the mid-credits sequence from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, indicating that Captain Marvel’s position is rapidly growing in Phase 4. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, on the other hand, may be hinting to the existence of a Captain Marvel who isn’t Carol Danvers.
Who is that Variant, exactly? Maria Rambeau, as played by Lashana Lynch.
As Captain Marvel rocketed into action in the sequel’s second teaser, it looked that Lynch’s face was hidden under the flashing white eyes. Fans watched her fly headlong into Wanda Maximoff in what seemed to be the Illuminati’s headquarters, thus this indicates that a version of the heroine will feature in the film.
With Carol Danvers’ role as Captain Marvel growing in importance and Monica Rambeau’s full potential as Spectrum becoming realized, it looks that Lashana Lynch’s moment as a hero has arrived. Nothing is certain until the film is released, but this new Captain Marvel might have a significant influence on the Multiverse.
Bruce Campbell’s Undisclosed Character
Many of Sam Raimi’s directorial choices have become routine over the years, notably his collaboration with veteran actor Bruce Campbell.
Campbell has a long history with Marvel, having been in all three of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films from 2002 and 2007. After portraying a wrestling announcer, a theater usher, and a maitre d’ in his first three superhero films, he was even reported to play Raimi’s version of Mysterio in the unmade Spider-Man 4.
Campbell is an intriguing addition to this list since he has previously acknowledged his involvement in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. What we don’t know is who he’ll be portraying in this crazy trip.
Will he finally get the opportunity to bring a new Mysterio to life? Is it going to be a classic Marvel character? Will it only serve as a supporting character in the midst of the action?
When Campbell comes on-screen, all of this will be revealed.
Loki (Tom Hiddleston)
In terms of his prospective presence as Loki in Multiverse of Madness, Tom Hiddleston is in a fascinating predicament.
Hiddleston was believed to have joined the cast of Benedict Cumberbatch’s standalone Doctor Strange sequel shortly after the sixth episode of Loki aired on Disney+. However, neither Hiddleston nor anybody associated with either production has mentioned Loki as a character in the story.
Despite the fact that The Hollywood Reporter, one of the most trusted sources in the industry, claimed Hiddleston’s presence, Loki has yet to appear in any promotional material on-screen or in merchandising. It’s unknown how large of a part he’ll play in the sequel or how he’ll join the conflict, but after opening the Multiverse in his own standalone series, he’ll have to work hard to mend everything in his path.
Mobius (Owen Wilson)
Throughout his six-episode run, Loki developed relationships with both Owen Wilson’s Mobius and Sophia Di Martino’s Sylvie, albeit there was no indication of where or when they might continue. They were rumored to be accompanying the God of Mischief into Doctor Strange 2, but no other reports, like Hiddleston’s, have mentioned their role in the tale.
Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino)
Mobius was last seen in a frenzy at TVA headquarters when the Multiverse collapsed, while Sylvie stayed in the Citadel after killing He Who Remains at the End of Time. As everything spirals into lunacy, there is undoubtedly a method for them to travel the Multiverse and rejoin with Loki, but it will likely stay a mystery until the film’s release.
Billy & Tommy Maximoff (Julian Hilliard & Jett Klyne)
WandaVision let Wanda Maximoff to live a normal life with her family, which included young Avengers Billy and Tommy Maximoff. When Wanda’s Hex faded from reality, her twin boys, also known as Wiccan and Speed, were gone, but there’s still a way for them to rejoin the battle in Doctor Strange 2.
According to reports, Marvel spent a few of days filming a scene with Billy and Tommy situated on a remote farm. It’s unclear how this relates to the film, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wanda’s twin boys return for their second MCU endeavor.
Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski)
There are no indications as to when Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four will go into production or be released, although Doctor Strange 2 is expected to introduce the first member. The group’s leader, Reed Richards, is reported to be portrayed by fan favorite John Krasinski, and is one of the many cameos expected to appear in this film.
Whether he plays the core MCU version of Dr. Richards or not, the man behind Jim Halpert in The Office has been one of the most popular fan-casts for the MCU’s version of Dr. Richards, and he may have the opportunity to break the mold for Marvel Studios, regardless of whether he plays the core MCU version or not.
How much screen time does Krasinski have ahead of him? It’s impossible to say for sure. However, if he does make his MCU debut, it will surely be a highlight of the sequel.
Black Bolt (Anson Mount)
The Inhumans TV program, which only aired for one eight-episode season on ABC in 2017, is one of Marvel’s most reviled franchises. The Inhumans haven’t been explored in the broader MCU, although Black Bolt, the group’s leader, is rumored to have a huge cameo appearance in Doctor Strange 2.
In the ABC series, Anson Mount played the tremendously strong Inhuman monarch, with a voice capable of killing and destroying everything within range.
Clea (Charlize Theron)
Clea, another strong sorceress in the Marvel universe, has long been speculated to have a part in the MCU. The magic-wielder, who has links to the Dark Dimension and a past with Dormammu, has resurfaced in discussions regarding Doctor Strange 2, this time with Charlize Theron possibly linked to the part.
Theron has been linked to the MCU on many times, yet she has said that she has never been approached by Marvel to play a part. Having her portray Clea would be a natural fit given her history in the comics alongside Strange, and even if she doesn’t have a major part in this film, a cameo may pave the way for a greater role in the future.
Balder the Brave
While the following rumor has no actor connected, it teases the presence of a renowned Asgardian called Balder the Brave.
In the comics, the character is Thor’s half-brother and an ally of the Warriors Three, having formerly served as one of Asgard’s best warriors. How he fits into the narrative of Multiverse of Madness is a mystery in and of itself, especially because no other Asgardians are reported to be involved.
Although this wouldn’t be Doctor Strange’s first encounter with an Asgardian following his experience with Thor and Loki in Thor: Ragnarok, Balder is supposed to be from another world in this film. For the time being, the longstanding comic hero will most likely stay under the spotlight, but his appearance in Doctor Strange 2 might add a new level of excitement, particularly with Thor: Love and Thunder releasing in July.
Magneto
There’s always a Magneto where there’s a Professor X. Erik Lehnsherr may not be far behind his old buddy, Charles Xavier, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
This sequel may have a version of the original X-Men nemesis for a brief appearance on screen, in addition to speculations involving everyone from Inhumans to Asgardians. It’s unclear if the actor will be Sir Ian McKellan from the original Fox trilogy, Michael Fassbender from the 2010s, or someone entirely new, but Doctor Strange should be on the watch for any fast-moving metal.
Magneto’s interaction with Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, which would bring the whole Marvel world full circle with those two driving the original X-Men trilogy, is also a mystery. If this happens, generations of superhero movie fans will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Iron Man Variant (Tom Cruise)
Tony Stark hasn’t been seen in the official MCU since Avengers: Endgame in 2019, yet his influence is still felt throughout Phase 4. It seems only natural that there are rumors of a new Tony Variant appearing in this film, one portrayed by Tom Cruise, the iconic action hero!
The guy behind Mission: Impossible has a history with the part, since he was a finalist for Iron Man in 2008 before Downey was cast. While Cruise’s exact participation in Doctor Strange 2 remains unknown, there are a few important pieces of evidence that point to his being there for the battle.
The Multiverse of Madness Super Bowl TV promo included what looked to be a version of Iron Man, who many are immediately assuming is the villainous Superior Iron Man. Furthermore, a rumored leaked screening of the film indicates that Cruise is in fact portraying the part.
This report won’t be confirmed until early May, but it’s already causing a stir among enthusiasts.
Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)
Deadpool will undoubtedly be portrayed by Ryan Reynolds whenever he appears in the MCU. Nobody knows when that will happen, but the Merc With a Mouth is in the midst of speculations that he will make his MCU debut in Doctor Strange 2.
Fans thought they noticed a trace of Wade Wilson in one of the shattered pieces of glass surrounding Doctor Strange in the sequel’s first official poster.
Now, Reynolds has debunked the myth by stating unequivocally that he would not be appearing in Doctor Strange 2. This feeling was echoed immediately after Reynolds’ denial, when Hollywood insider John Campea released evidence that convinced him that Deadpool would not appear in the film.
This will be another case of wait-and-see, albeit it isn’t one of the most probable. However, as Reynolds pointed out, anybody engaged may be lying.
Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire)
Tobey Maguire’s comeback as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home brought shouts from all across the globe after more than a year of quiet on the subject. Since then, he’s spoken about how great it was to return to his legendary superhero role, and there’s even a possibility he’ll be back in the red-and-blue spandex sooner than anticipated.
Maguire was rumored to be returning to Marvel Studios in some manner for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The report didn’t specify the scope of his participation or how he’d fit into the storyline, but the possibility that Strange may connect with a web-slinger again seems only natural following his appearance in last year’s biggest film.
Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield)
With the hint that Peter 2 may be joining the MCU for Round 2, the same may be said about Peter 3.
Andrew Garfield may be in line for another opportunity to portray the web-slinger in Doctor Strange’s standalone sequel after his long-awaited MCU debut as the Amazing Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home. His homecoming hasn’t been as well publicized as Maguire’s, but he’s still a topic of conversation.
If he does return, it won’t be in nearly the same capacity as in No Way Home, when he and Maguire, together with Tom Holland, drove the final act home. Even so, just seeing him would be enough to pique the interest of Spider-Man fans.
When it comes to the X-Men eventually landing in the MCU, Professor X and Magneto are one and the same. When you add a hypothetical Wolverine to the mix, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may get even more chaotic.
According to Joe Deckelmeier of The Illuminerdi, a version of James Logan not depicted by Hugh Jackman will appear in the magical sequel. It’s unclear if this is the MCU’s core version of the clawed mutant or merely a Multiversal Variant. However, the potential for perhaps the X-most Men’s recognized hero to enter the battle exists.
