DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Star Benedict Cumberbatch Shares Concerns Over "Busy" Sequel

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Star Benedict Cumberbatch Shares Concerns Over "Busy" Sequel

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Benedict Cumberbatch is confident in the upcoming sequel, but says he was concerned the Sorcerer Supreme wouldn't have a character arc in his own movie.

By JoshWilding - Dec 06, 2021 06:12 AM EST
Source: WTF With Marc Maron

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness recently made headlines for what sounds like relatively extensive reshoots taking place six days a week in the build-up to Christmas. Marvel Studios often factors additional photography into shooting schedules for its movies, but it does sound like Sam Raimi's sequel needs a little extra work. 

Star Benedict Cumberbatch recently appeared on Marc Maron's WTF Podcast, and was asked if the ambitious Doctor Strange sequel "is your movie" given the presence of Elizabeth Olsen and other rumoured actors. "Yeah," the actor said, adding: "Well...yeah that's part of the problem. There's a lot of stuff going on in it."

"It's like, do I have a character arc in this? Is it working?" Cumberbatch continued before seemingly walking back on those comments. "No, there's great stuff for me to do. It's very busy. It's called The Multiverse of Madness, and it's bonkers."

It definitely sounds like the actor has had some concerns about the movie, and it's possible these reshoots are addressing some of those issues. There's certainly a risk the Sorcerer Supreme could become a supporting character in his movie, and it does appear Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has a lot to juggle in the wake of WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home

Hopefully, Marvel Studios and Raimi deliver on the promise of this sequel, doing Strange justice along with the Scarlet Witch, Wong, America Chavez, and the host of Variants we anticipate seeing.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to be released on May 6, 2022.

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KanchaCheena
KanchaCheena - 12/6/2021, 7:01 AM
That doesn't sound very good.. especially coming from a person like Benedict who always tries to get actively involved in the movie making process.
JonC
JonC - 12/6/2021, 1:54 PM
@KanchaCheena - I have faith in Raimi to pull off the unobtainable.
hummingbird68
hummingbird68 - 12/6/2021, 7:01 AM
I think this is all of ours fears - that this sequel is overly busy. Still hoping for the best, as Doctor Strange is one of my favourite characters and this movie is my most anticipated along with Blade and Moon Knight from phase 4.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 12/6/2021, 2:32 PM
@hummingbird68 - they showed me how little they respect Strange when he was written to do the dumbest of spells for Iron Lad simply because PLOT dictates it so
KanchaCheena
KanchaCheena - 12/6/2021, 7:02 AM
Also this pretty much confirms the reason Scott Derrickson left the film.
Gmoney84
Gmoney84 - 12/6/2021, 7:07 AM
@KanchaCheena - not necessarily. Some of this bloat could from Sam’s direction and rewrites, etc.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 12/6/2021, 2:33 PM
@KanchaCheena - 110%. Smart man. His new horror looks awesome
McMurdo
McMurdo - 12/6/2021, 2:33 PM
@connorblaze - yup abolitionist device is perfectly put
connorblaze
connorblaze - 12/6/2021, 7:08 AM
Uh oh 😬 that sort of confirms the rumours that the reshoots are because it’s not testing well. To be honest I’m not suprised though, Strange as a character has had some issues in the MCU. In his movie his arc was good, he was an arrogant dude who found an alternative calling and some humility. Then in every subsequent appearance he has been like a different character, mostly losing that arrogance and seemingly becoming a guy who seems like he’s alwYs been this perfect, wise wizard with little arrogance. Then in No Way Home it looks like he’s kind of reckless and stupid. I don’t know if they have a firm grip on his characterization and who he is, I think he’s more a plot device than a character outside of the beginning of his solo film.
kylo0607
kylo0607 - 12/6/2021, 7:20 AM
@connorblaze - I think the same here.

He went through an arc of becoming wise and loosing some of this narcissism and arrogance in his solo film, then became a true wise and powerful Sorcerer Supreme in Infinity War and now looks like he's straight back to being a narcissistic douchebag in NWH.

So yeah, I think his characters has been a bit inconsistent.
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 12/6/2021, 7:29 AM
@connorblaze - Ragnarok was played for laughs, but he had a good arc on IW and EG, from I don’t care who dies long as we save the world to everyone matters, and he was pivotal, and many liked him more than they did before, including me. But he comes off plenty arrogant with the equally or more like way more arrogant Tony. But like, when you say seems perfect and wise with little arrogant, dude, how else should he seem to Tony and Peter and the guardians? You suggesting he tells em his life story over a cup of bottomless tea? To your point tho… why go back to the Ragnarok Stephen for Spider-Man? That is a little mystifying after the great stuff they did with him in avengers films. The Russos wouldn’t have scooby dooed this crap
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 12/6/2021, 7:12 AM
I’m not scared by this, it could just be the Ragnarok treatment abs he doesn’t like it but that don’t mean I won’t like it.
Fares
Fares - 12/6/2021, 7:19 AM
Strange was one of the best characters in Infinity War but I have some concerns about his protrayal in No Way Home. Now these comments aren't very encouraging, but hopefully that's the last of my worries because I want Sam Raimi to knock it out of the park.
GoofBallAbe
GoofBallAbe - 12/6/2021, 7:25 AM
Does Doctor Strange need Character development? I think he's perfect
Unites
Unites - 12/6/2021, 7:35 AM
@GoofBallAbe - All characters need some development. Otherwise why would we care about them and their journey? In this case, Doctor Strange role seems mostly stopping Wanda and saving the Multiverse. But what does he personally learn during this adventure? How does it change him as a person, on how he views the world? What are his goals?
YonnyLayna
YonnyLayna - 12/6/2021, 7:29 AM
Wanda's new status quo is too convulted even to explain for a recap YouTube video,
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 12/6/2021, 7:34 AM
My comments disappearing is not cool
Blergh
Blergh - 12/6/2021, 7:35 AM
I don't know if I'm as concerned if some people here tend to be.
Strange, as a character, is pretty much where he needs to be thanks to the events of DS, Ragnarok, Infinity War & Endgame. I'm sure we'll see him evolve in No Way Home as well and deal with the fallout of his decisions in his solo sequel.

Don't forget that the MCU is a serialized television show, so not every episode (even if it's focused on a certain character) will feature evolution for the main character.

I trust Sam Raimi and Kevin Feige enough to deliver on the promise of the Multiverse Saga. So far Marvel hasn't dissapointed me, despite having waited for the first proper bad movie in that universe (alas that never came).
IKidYouNotMan
IKidYouNotMan - 12/6/2021, 8:38 AM
Well it sounds like a guaranteed “good” MCU movie because they’ll just shop this movie until it is, cutting and reworking what’s there. It’s a shame because we’ve been waiting 6 years for another Doctor Strange movie and I was hoping it was going to be on the “amazing” side. Still, there’s 6 months yet and they’re doing reshoots, they all sound aware of the current cut’s shortcomings, maybe that’s enough time.
Typhoon20
Typhoon20 - 12/6/2021, 8:43 AM
Benedict probably won't be renewing his contract. Which would be unfortunate.

Dr Strange is such a strong character that I feel they havent done a great job utilizing him and giving an actor like Benedict more to work with. Especially in his own goddamn sequel. This Multiverse crap is rushed.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 12/6/2021, 8:44 AM
He was peak in Infinity War but NWH seems to be diluting that development.
Chewtoy
Chewtoy - 12/6/2021, 9:22 AM
Eh, Civil War was still a Captain America movie, and the Winter Soldier even more so…. You can have a lot going on and multiple heroes and still allow the lead to be the lead.
DarthGoodGuy
DarthGoodGuy - 12/6/2021, 9:41 AM
Yeah well I was concerned Infinity War had too much going on but that turned out great! Still super pumped for this
LSHF
LSHF - 12/6/2021, 10:05 AM
Sometimes the story has to end for the character to have enough time to reflect enough for an arc. Every character in every film doesn't have to have an arc for the sake of having an arc. It can be so transparent and forced.

He can have his arc between films (stories). It's realistic.
sKeemAn
sKeemAn - 12/6/2021, 10:41 AM
Sounds like a mess. I'm sure they will pull it together for it to make sense. fingers crossed.
DoctorDerange
DoctorDerange - 12/6/2021, 11:10 AM
A sad case of making a movie not primarily about its title character in the name of inclusion first, entertaining and high quality second. Just my opinion. And for those who are going to hate on this opinion, I am totally supportive of inclusion and diversity etc. but not the forceful way they are going about it. Does anyone want an echo tv show?? I’d rather see a ghost series. Idk
McMurdo
McMurdo - 12/6/2021, 2:31 PM
Well we called it. Sidelined in his own film. His comments are very concerning
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