Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness concept art displays scary zombie Strange versions that did not make the final film. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness centered on Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange attempting to protect America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) from Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda, who played the Scarlet Witch in full villain mode. Her purpose was to absorb America’s multiversal powers and reunite with alternate versions of her twin sons, whom she discovered and then lost in the Marvel Cinematic Universe episode WandaVision.
On his ArtStation site, concept artist Thomas du Crest released new peeks at various ideas for the zombie Doctor Strange from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Zombie Strange was one of numerous Doctor Strange varieties in the film, including Evil and Defender Stranges. There is a significant difference between the unused designs and the final version of the film, with the concept art depicting Doctor Strange in various stages of decay, each more horrific than the previous one, and the Zombie Strange from the film looking very benign in comparison. View the new concept art below:
Why did Doctor Strange require more horror in the Multiverse of Madness?
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness underwent several revisions, beginning with the departure of original director Scott Derrickson due to creative differences with Marvel Studios. His original vision for the Doctor Strange sequel was firmly entrenched in the horror genre, with speculations circulating that the Scarlet Witch would appear not as a villain but as an ally to Strange and Wong as they battled the terrible Nightmare, head of his Dream Dimension. On the other hand, Kevin Feige had other plans and abandoned that version of the story entirely in favor of a fresh creative team taking over.
Sam Raimi, the filmmaker of the Spider-Man trilogy, was hired to direct the film based on a story written by Loki head writer Michael Waldron. The plot of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness took a very different turn, with Wanda serving as the major antagonist. While the previous script was rejected entirely, the idea of infusing the film with horror themes persisted, with Raimi’s own Evil Dead horror background influencing the decision.
In the end, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featured Raimi’s classic, campy horror style, with some gore and scary scenes not seen in the MCU. Still, it fell short of the levels of full-on horror promised by Derrickson when the project was announced, which could have made the project a unique entry in the MCU.
When Will Doctor Strange Return To The Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Strange meets the sorceress Clea (Charlize Theron) in the mid-credits sequence of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, who tells him that his actions have launched an invasion and that Strange must help her solve it. Strange and Clea jump into a gateway to the Dark Dimension at the end of the scene. The sequence was a strong foreshadowing of Avengers: Secret Wars, the upcoming Avengers 6 sequel to The Kang Dynasty. The fundamental reason for the Secret Wars comic storyline is an incursion, which occurs when two universes collide. Strange will also appear in Avengers: Secret Wars, written by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness author Waldron.