Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness recently made headlines for what sounds like relatively extensive reshoots taking place six days a week in the build-up to Christmas. Marvel Studios often factors additional photography into shooting schedules for its movies, but it does sound like Sam Raimi's sequel needs a little extra work.
Star Benedict Cumberbatch recently appeared on Marc Maron's WTF Podcast, and was asked if the ambitious Doctor Strange sequel "is your movie" given the presence of Elizabeth Olsen and other rumoured actors. "Yeah," the actor said, adding: "Well...yeah that's part of the problem. There's a lot of stuff going on in it."
"It's like, do I have a character arc in this? Is it working?" Cumberbatch continued before seemingly walking back on those comments. "No, there's great stuff for me to do. It's very busy. It's called The Multiverse of Madness, and it's bonkers."
It definitely sounds like the actor has had some concerns about the movie, and it's possible these reshoots are addressing some of those issues. There's certainly a risk the Sorcerer Supreme could become a supporting character in his movie, and it does appear Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has a lot to juggle in the wake of WandaVision, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Hopefully, Marvel Studios and Raimi deliver on the promise of this sequel, doing Strange justice along with the Scarlet Witch, Wong, America Chavez, and the host of Variants we anticipate seeing.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to be released on May 6, 2022.