Every Secret & Reveal In Doctor Strange 2's Audio Commentary

Published Jul 6, 2022, 4:49 PM EDT

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Warning: This post contains MAJORspoilers forDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The audio commentary for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness reveals some exciting secrets about the film. The latest entry into the MCU gave audiences a chance to become fully acquainted with the multiverse. It also allowed people to see what traveling across dimensions looks like, as well as the potential repercussions of doing so. The movie cemented the beginning of Marvel's Phase 4 and hinted at what kind of multiversal escapades are in the cards for the MCU going forward.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness features the title character helping a young America Chavez hone her powers as someone who can travel through universes at will. Throughout the movie, Strange also works to defeat the Scarlet Witch, who is out to capture America so that she can travel to a universe where she can be with her kids.

The following is everything learned from the audio commentary forDoctor Strange 2, narrated by director Sam Raimi, writer Michael Waldron, and producer Richie Palmer.

Marvel Makes A New Studio Logo For Every Movie

According to Raimi,Marvel makes a new logo for every TV or film property it puts out, so it makes sense the logo before this movie features more Doctor Strange than usual. Palmer says they "update with images from some of the more recent Disney+ series and movies and make sure that it's always up-to-date with some of the coolest images from our movies." He continues, "In this one, we did something special. I think it was Sam and Bob Murawski, our editor, and Kevin [Feige] that came together and... put more images of Doctor Strange and Wanda in there than we've ever seen before." This solidifies not only how important each character is to the story but sets up a nice visual for who people are going to be spending time with during the film.

The Strange From The Start Was Originally Going To Be A "Better" Version

Defender Strange using magic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

During the opening scenes whereDoctor Strange and America Chavez are jumping through portals, Strange is portrayed with a ponytail and a full beard, along with a suit that makes him look kind of like the swashbuckling characters Errol Flynn used to play. This was intentional. Errol Flynn was a Golden Age of Hollywood star who appeared in movies like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood.

That Strange was also supposed to be a morally exemplary character. The original thought was that "he is an even better version of Strange than Strange himself... until he weakens here, morally, and believes that the ends justify the means." Raimi says to Waldron, "Originally, Michael, you wrote this Strange as the better version of the man. And then, going back, we made him a sinner. And you added a flaw where he makes this terrible choice to save the universe at the expense of this young girl's life." Waldron follows with "Yeah, that was kind of a late in the game decision that we're going to decontextualizeStrange and America's relationship throughout the entire movie... and it worked." This provided the background for their connection and paid off when he believed in her at the end of the film.

The Universe From The Opening Is Earth-617

America Chavez faces monster in Earth 617 in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Although never mentioned in the film itself, Raimi solidly informs the listening audience that the universe from the opening is indeed a universe numbered 617, one past the main MCU, which is Earth-616.

There Was Originally A Deeper Moment Between Strange & Christine

Doctor Strange and Christine at the Wedding in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Originally, the scene whereChristine hopes to introduce Strange to her new husband, who is a huge fan, goes on a bit longer. In the original script, Christine asks Strange if he is happy, to which he replies, emptily, that he's saved over five billion lives and can travel from New York to Tokyo in an instant, "what man wouldn't be happy?" The scene then gives pause, as it's implied that Doctor Strange, though doing well, is not content without Christine. He lies for her sake so that she can move on with her life. A similar sentiment comes across in the final version of the film, but it's a much shorter moment.

Christine's Dress And Jewelry Were Very Expensive

Christine at Her Wedding in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

In the commentary, those behind the movie discuss that there were armed guards looking after the jewelry, and everything worn by Rachel McAdams was closely monitored during filming. There was someone on set literally handcuffed to a briefcase.

The New York Street Was Built Elsewhere

New York City Street in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Raimi points out that the New York City street that appears right outside the wedding had to be built by production designer Charles Wood. Doctor Strange 2 was filmed in England, and the cast and crew weren't able to go to New York because of the pandemic. Everything in that scene except for the deep background is real.

Doctor Strange Uses The Flames Of Faltine Against Gargantos

Doctor Strange Using The Flames of Faltine in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

The green flames that Strange uses to attack Gargantos are technically, according to Waldron, the Flames of Faltine. They are a green energy that can be harnessed by high-level sorcerers.

Gargantos' Eye Popping Out Was An Homage To Evil Dead 2

Gargantos Eye Scene from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

InEvil Dead 2, there's a scene where Bruce Campbell jumps onto the head of a Deadite, making its eye pop across the room and directly into someone's mouth. The scene where Gargantos' eye is plucked out is an homage to that moment. Also, as a foreshadowing of the main villain of the movie, they scanned Elizabeth Olsen's eye to be the eye of Gargantos.

The Ribbon Monster Infected Strange With An Alien Virus

Dead Doctor Strange from Multiverse of Madness

The first Doctor Strange seen in the film doesn't just die of his wounds. He is actually infected by an alien virus that ages him rapidly, turning him into a corpse so quickly. This was to have Strange come back later and look more like a zombie at the end of the movie.

The War Drums Were Borrowed From Composer Danny Elfman

When Kamar-Taj is getting ready to be attacked by the Scarlet Witch, there are monks playing the war drums as the army is getting ready to defend their stronghold. Before even scoring the movie,composer Danny Elfman let the production borrow his war drums to really visually sell the music that was happening in that scene.