Multiverse of Madness follows Avengers Endgame’s emphasis on the audience avoiding spoilers ahead of release. Disney employs similar strategies on both films to ensure the story’s twists and surprises are hidden. Before Endgame’s release, Marvel Studios and Disney were incredibly selective about what footage would be shown to interviewers ahead of the film’s press junket, only showing the movie up until Captain Marvel’s (Brie Larson) rescue of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) in the film’s first act. The company also employed the strategy during Star Wars’ theatrical releases, with each film made under the company only being seen in its entirety for the first time at their premiere events.
With Raimi teasing that the sequel builds upon No Way Home’s events, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has the potential to expand the universe in ways few solo Marvel films have. Beyond returning faces from Marvel’s movie past and surprise appearances from highly anticipated characters, its multiversal plot and continuation of Wanda’s story from WandaVision can have enormous implications for the MCU going forward, on both the big and small screens. As Marvel and Disney take every measure possible to keep the film a secret ahead of its premiere, the next chapter in the MCU may end up being even more of a must-watch chapter in the ongoing saga than fans currently realize.
