In just a few days,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessswings into theaters, bringing back Benedict Cumberbatch’s titular character to the big screen. It is already confirmed that joining him on his peculiar mission will be Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff, and glimpses of Westview fromWandaVisionhave been spotted in the trailers for the film. Will the much-awaited movie explain its connection to the Disney Plus series?
Before the final episode ofWandaVisioneven aired, it was confirmed that Wanda would be making an appearance inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. But, judging by the multiple trailers and official posters, it seems like the Scarlet Witch will be playing an integral role in it. She was last seen creating, and later destroying, a fictional world inWandaVisionto deal with the loss of her family. The series left her living in a remote cabin, far away from civilization, and this is where Doctor Strange seems to find her. But, it remains to be seen how much of a connection the film has with Marvel’s first television series.
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WhenWandaVisionfirst premiered on Disney Plus, it set a new path for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Wanda has been a part of multiple films in the MCU thus far, but she had never featured in a standalone project beforeWandaVision. The series allowed fans to connect with her character at a more personal level, and understand her side of the story afterAvengers: Endgame. The series picked upafter Thanos kills Vision, and allowed fans to witness Wanda’s grief.
Whenthe series’ first episode aired, in the form of a black and white sitcom, Marvel fans were confused as to what the show was trying to achieve. However, as the story unfolded, it became evident that the world that fans were watching was not real. The series handled loss, grief, and mental health better than any other MCU project had done so far. To see Wanda create a life that she so badly wanted to live was heartbreaking, yet relatable at the same time.
As part ofWandaVision, fans got to seeWanda’s twins Billy and Tommybrought to life. In the Marvel Comics, Wanda uses her powers to create the twins, and she uses slivers of Mephisto’s soul to do so. They eventually cease to exist. But, in the Disney Plus series, fans saw Wanda, in her Scarlet Witch avatar, reading through the Book of the Damned, or Darkhold as the comics refer to it. She hears her twins calling out to her, from what could potentially be the Multiverse. SinceDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessexplores that aspect of the MCU in detail, it only seems logical to connect the two Marvel projects.
WandaVisionreceived rave reviews from both fans and critics, and was definitely a success in Marvel Studios’ books. It is therefore not surprising that the studio wants to continue writing Wanda’s story, and make her a part of the bigger picture. In thefirstDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesstrailer, fans see Doctor Strange finding her in the isolated wilderness. So, it seems like the story will pick up whereWandaVisionended and form a direct connection between both projects.
WithDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel Studios has the responsibility to answer all fan questions about the concept thus far. An obvious connection withWandaVisionhas already been established with Wanda being a part of the film. In addition, her twins Billy and Tommy have alsomade an appearance in one of the trailersfor the film. Fans have also seen glimpses of her Westview home, and one of the avatars that have been promoted in the trailers and final poster of the film is the one fans saw in the Disney Plus series.
WandaVisionitself created a connection with the upcoming film, too. In the post-credits scene, when theScarlet Witch is reading through the Darkhold, while mastering Strange’s astral projection, Michael Giacchino’sDoctor Strangetheme plays in the background. Additionally, Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness states at one point that the Scarlet Witch’s “power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme.” Granted Doctor Strange doesn’t hold that title anymore, the reference is obviously connected to him. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence to include all this detail, and then leave out an explanation as to why the projects are connected.
The Multiverse is something that has been mentioned and explored in various MCU projects as part of Phase 4. While it was not directly referenced in Marvel’s first television series, whenLokipremiered on Disney Plus, the post-credits scene inWandaVisionsuddenly made more sense. As the stories unravel, fans are learning more about the Multiverse, and how it affects the heroes that they have come to love over the past decade.
What remains to be seen, however, is whether Wanda will end up being the ally that Doctor Strange needs to deal with the madness, or if she will be the cause of it all instead. Considering she is on a mission to find her twins, and ready to go to any lengths to do so, it seems possible that she willat some point become an enemy. Harkness did say inWandaVisionthat the Scarlet Witch’s powers are capable of destroying the world. As one of the most powerful characters in the MCU, will Wanda be able to continue using those powers for good inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Fans will find out pretty soon.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesspremieres in theaters on June 25, 2025.
