Marvel unveils first Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness teaser trailer

The first trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been released.

Note: This post contains minor spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The MCU multiverse is a concept about which we know frighteningly little… but we are about to get to know more courtesy of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It’s been more than five years since Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sorcerer Supreme made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2016’s Doctor Strange. And, following multiple supporting roles in various MCU installments, the hero will now headline his own sequel.

Stephen Strange unleashed the multiverse in No Way Home, and it looks like his actions will have consequences that will be explored in Multiverse of Madness, coming to theaters in May 2022. With less than six months to go until Doctor Strange returns to theaters, Marvel Studios has revealed the first official teaser for his upcoming film.

Watch the first Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness teaser

It’s worth noting that the teaser seems to be the same that was included as the second post-credits scene in Spider-Man’s most recent theatrical adventure. This first look at the film clues us into Wanda Maximoff’s role in the story, showing Stephen Strange seeking her out, seemingly to ask for help with his multiverse problems.

WandaVision ended with Wanda flipping through the pages of the Darkhold before hearing the cries of her children, apparently setting up a universe where her family actually existed. We don’t yet know how this will factor into Multiverse of Madness, but having her along for Doctor Strange’s multiversal ride opens up many exciting possibilities for her journey.

This first look at the film features a darker vibe than what we’ve previously seen in the MCU, mostly evident by the appearance of a dark version of Stephen Strange — which some have theorized to be Doctor Strange Supreme from Disney Plus’ What If…?

Marvel Studios also released the first poster for the film, featuring split versions of Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff.

Burdened With Glorious Purpose

Multiverse of Madness bears a considerable amount of responsibility for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is not only a sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange, but also serves as a continuation to WandaVision and, in a way, Spider-Man: No Way Home. Adding to that, it could also have some ties to the Loki TV series, due to the show’s focus on the multiverse.

That is a big responsibility for one movie, but as it’s customary for Marvel Studios, the film’s crux is a result of careful strategizing. Appearing in the D23 Inside Disney podcast, Kevin Feige explained the meticulous planning behind the concept of the multiverse:

"“[The multiverse] is coming up in a big way. So there’s interconnectivity there that people have already started to see and suss out. And I had a meeting this morning with the [Marvel Studios] team going through the multiverse and the rules of the multiverse, and exactly how to really deliver on the excitement surrounding the multiverse.”"

As mentioned, Marvel Studios has built a reputation of great planning and strategizing, and with Sam Raimi at the helm, Multiverse of Madness will hopefully deliver on everything it’s setting out to do.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will make its way into theaters on May 6, 2022.

Are you looking forward to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Let us know in the comments below!