Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may not include as many cameos as we'd hoped for, but it's still a movie that takes us on a pretty wild ride through the MCU's version of the Multiverse.
With that comes a lot of Easter Eggs, references, and cameos, and while there's nothing as mind-blowing as Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man swinging into frame for a team-up with Deadpool, the Doctor Strange sequel isn't short on surprises. By now, you know all about The Illuminati, and that's why this breakdown is taking a closer look at the fun nods you might have missed along the way.
From unexpected actors showing up in odd surroundings to obscure comic book references and even some teases about where these characters go next, we have you covered with this list of Easter Eggs.
So, to take a look through them, hit the "Next" button below (just be warned that spoilers follow).
10. "The Ancient One" Returns
In 2016's Doctor Strange, Stephen arrives in Kamar-Taj and mistakenly believes that an elderly Asian man is The Ancient One. Had Marvel Studios followed the comic books, that would have been the case, but it was a fun nod to the source material and a nice way to set up Tilda Swinton's introduction.
When the Scarlet Witch attacks in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, you'll notice that this same sorcerer - Master Hamir - is present and fighting to protect his home with everyone else. We're not sure what becomes of him, though, as he's last seen being pulled through a puddle by Wanda...
9. A Classic Sam Raimi Reference
When Doctor Strange arrives in Sinister Strange's reality, he looks on in horror as New York City is pulled apart and literally begins falling apart at the seams. This in itself is a nod to What If...? when Doctor Strange Supreme destroyed his reality by attempting to save Dr. Christine Palmer's life.
However, take a closer look at the wreckage floating through the sky and you might notice a 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88. That's director Sam Raimi's car, and he always sneaks it into the movies he makes. For fans of the filmmaker, this is a cool nod (along with all those obvious Evil Dead references).
8. Baxter Foundation
Prior to Mister Fantastic's introduction as a member of Earth-838's Illuminati, that world's Dr. Christine Palmer mentions that she works for the Baxter Foundation. If you're a comic book fan, we're sure your ears perked up immediately, but that organisation is one we were surprised to see receive a nod.
The Baxter Foundation was introduced as a think tank for young science prodigies in the Ultimate Marvel Universe. It served a similar purpose in 2015's Fantastic Four, but if the MCU version of the team sets up a similar organisation to this research lab, bet on it being called the "Future Foundation."
7. Michael Waldron's Cameo
Michael Waldron served as Head Writer on the first season of Loki. Clearly, his work on the Disney+ series impressed Kevin Feige enough that he was enlisted for not only Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but the untitled Star Wars movie the Marvel Studios President is developing.
This sequel just so happens to mark Waldron's acting debut as he can be seen (briefly) playing the Best Man to Christine's new husband, Charlie. The extent of his role is looking shocked at seeing Strange battle Gargantos, to be honest, but it's a fun nod to see the writer included for the writer's fans.
6. The Living Tribunal
Something tells us Michael Waldron is a big fan of The Living Tribunal. After a statue featuring his likeness was spotted in Loki (during those scenes set in The Void), Doctor Strange and America Chavez's trip through the Multiverse shows us a reality where this powerful cosmic entity is being paid tribute.
In the comic books, Stephen Strange was the first being this ancient figure first encountered in the Marvel Universe. With a goal of safeguarding the Multiverse from an imbalance of mystical forces, don't be surprised if this character becomes a major player in the MCU over the coming years.
5. Earth-616
We've already mentioned Earth-838 in this feature, and it's clear now that Marvel Studios is following the comic books by designating numbers to different realities. Looking to the source material, there is no world with that number, but we're sure "Earth-616" will instantly ring a bell in your heads.
That's the number given to the comic book Marvel Universe, so we're not sure what's happening here. Post-Secret Wars, there was speculation it would no longer be named that, but it has been on multiple occasions. Does this mean Kevin Feige has decided the MCU is the new main Marvel continuity?
4. Some Familiar Musical Cues
There are a couple of music cues in the Doctor Strange sequel we're hoping you might recognise. The first comes when Strange mentions Wanda and we hear beats of the WandaVision theme right at the start of that glimpse at Earth-838 in the Scarlet Witch's dreams about her doppelganger.
The big one, however, happens when Sir Patrick Stewart's Professor X makes his presence felt for the first time. The theme from X-Men: The Animated Series plays, but curiously, it's named as the X-Men '97 theme in the credits. Whether that has any real significance obviously remains to be seen.
3. Donna Strange
When the MCU's Stephen meets his twisted counterpart on that ruined Earth, Sinister Strange insists he proves that they're one and the same. With that, the former Sorcerer Supreme recalls the death of his sister, Donna, who fell through some ice and died when they were both playing as children.
Like in the comics, Stephen was unable to save Donna and became a doctor. However, what you might not know is that his sister's death was shot for 2016's Doctor Strange with Lulu Wilson playing the character. It was cut and, for whatever reason, never released as a deleted scene on the Blu-ray.
2. Bruce Campbell's Cameo
Actor Bruce Campbell is a longtime collaborator of Sam Raimi going all the way back to the classic Evil Dead. On Earth-838, he plays "Pizza Poppa" and is upset when America Chavez takes some of his pizza balls without paying. With that, Stephen bewitches him and he's stuck punching himself in the face.
The post-credits scene shows that the spell did eventually wear off, and it's a fun cameo. What you might now know, though, is that this wasn't Campbell's original role in the movie. He was going to play Balder the Brave, Thor's half-brother, and a member of the Illuminati who is impaled by Wanda.
1. The Third Eye
When we meet Sinister Strange, he shows the MCU's Stephen that using the Darkhold has corrupted him and led to a third eye opening on his forehead. At the end of the movie, the same thing has happened to our former Sorcerer Supreme, but it may not be a sign the hero is about to break bad.
In the comics, a third eye indicates that Strange has grown in power and it's actually a manifestation of the Eye of Agamotto. It's possible he can now just call on that power without needing the artefact, but something tells us this could be a sign the former Sorcerer Supreme is heading down a dark route.