‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Writer Talks the ‘What If…?’ Connection
The film has been dominating the box office, and the narrative explored two characters already seen in their very own Marvel series, as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron, talks about the What If…? connection.
This article will have HEAVY SPOILERS for Both Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and What If…? So, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
Source: Marvel Studios
When the promotional campaign for the Doctor Strange sequel was in full swing, viewers couldn’t help but notice the uncanny connection that is shared with one preexisting and wildly beloved Marvel series.
The sinister STrange that had been shown since the film’s first trailer was eerily reminiscent of Doctor Strange which was the centerpiece of Marvel’s What If…? episode four and onwards.
Doctor Strange Supreme in Marvel Studios’ WHAT IF…? exclusively on Disney+. Photo: Marvel Studios
This was only compounded by the confirmed appearance of Captain Carter in a later trailer; with that character being present in the series pilot, and having a huge role throughout the series.
This has led to many questioning whether or not Captain Carter from the Doctor Strange sequel, and What If…? are one and the same; something that would be incredibly saddening considering the fate of the Illuminati collective that she is a part of.
Doctor Strange Supreme, Captain Carter, and T’Challa in Marvel Studios’ WHAT IF…? exclusively on Disney+. Photo: Marvel Studios
In a recent interview with IGN, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron talked about the What If…? connection to the new film, and whether or not the characters are the same.
First discussing Strange, Waldron stated, “Well, I was definitely aware of What If…?, I think when I came on [the movie], the Doctor Strange episode of What If…? was still in the animatic phase.
Doctor Strange in Marvel Studios’ WHAT IF…? exclusively on Disney+. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
“But I watched that and knew what they were doing,” Waldron noted, “which was more helpful to me that [Executive Producer] Ashley Bradley had focused on STrange and Christine’s relationship [in the episode], because I knew I wanted to focus on that as the heart of his emotional story in our movie.”
The writer continued, “So, it didn’t necessarily affect the multiverse… but it does represent one more cautionary tale of a time that is Stephen Strange, somewhere in the multiverse, has gone bad and ruined a universe.'”
Strange Twins. Photo: Disney+
“And I think that’s part of what our Strange is wrestling with by the end of our movie,” Waldron continued, “is this notion of weight, ‘Is every version of me fated to go bad and therefore, does that mean I’m going to go bad?”
Waldron concluded by answering whether or not Captain Carter in the film is the same as What If…?, to which he stated, “I don’t know. I’m reticent to canonize that either way. I hope not. I hope that’s not the one. That’d be too bad.”
Photo: Marvel Studios
It would be heartbreaking to know that Captain Carter that took part in saving the multiverse in the What If…? series would see the end of her run come in such a tragic way.
