Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduces a major new character to the MCU in Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez. Comic book fans will know that the teenager has the ability to punch star-shaped holes through reality, of course, and that power is likely to be a game-changer moving forward.
The sequel also marks Gomez's first major blockbuster role, and the newcomer definitely does this character justice. We were on hand for the movie's global press conference earlier this week, and I asked the actress what the biggest lesson she learned from working with so many MCU veterans was.
"In particular, I did look at Lizzie," she revealed, "especially while she was acting and getting ready to do the scene. I would just kind of watch her, [though] I swear, it's not stalker-like [Laughs]. It sounds stalker-like, but it's not like that." Her co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch interjected to jokingly add, "We were all doing the same thing. We were all mesmerized by Lizzie."
Olsen quickly responded with a laugh to say, "Oh, you guys...I'm so uncomfortable." Gomez, meanwhile, went on to elaborate on her earlier point by saying, "She's just a powerful woman. I mean, especially [for] me as a young girl, I would constantly look up to her, and I realized how much five minutes before a scene, that's kind of difficult, she would kind of get into that moment. And I realized, 'Oh, well, if she's doing it, I should probably do it, too.' And so, I did do that. And it helped me. I learned so much from her, and she doesn't even know it [Laughs]."
Playing a character who is incredibly important to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' story means the pressure was on Gomez to deliver and, as noted, she knocks this roll out of the park.
We're not surprised that watching Olsen was incredibly helpful for Gomez, as fresh off her Emmy win for WandaVision, the Scarlet Witch actress is delivering some of the best work of her career right now.
"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a one of a kind blockbuster experience and a pure, unadulterated Sam Raimi movie that, while not quite the crazy ride through the Multiverse we expected, delivers a fun, horror-tinged trip," we said in our review of the blockbuster this week.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now playing in theaters!