Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduces many new things to the MCU. While some will inevitably last longer than others, there’s one thing we can’t wait to dig into. And it concerns none other than Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch. In an unexpected turn of events, we learn about a key location from the magical Avenger’s past. So if you want to learn more then keep reading, but otherwise beware as spoilers—and mystical danger—abound!
What is Mount Wundagore?
Ah sweet summer child, what a question. If you were reading Nerdist during the heady days of WandaVision then you will have read me mention it more than once. In the classic comics Mount Wundagore is the magical mountain where Chthon wrote the Darkhold. We see that brought to life here in a vibrant fashion as Wanda and Wong head to the notorious location. Once there, Wong name drops Chthon and the pair face down with some badass looking demons who seem to be under Wanda’s command. That makes a lot of sense if we look to her comic book backstory.
Why Does Mount Wundagore Matter to Wanda?
Wundagore was first introduced in 1966’s Thor #134. There readers met the High Evolutionary, a scientist who loves nothing more than to do twisted experiments. They also learned of its connection to Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. The twins were at Wundagore recharging their powers. Why? Fans didn’t find out for a long time. In 1974’s Giant-Size Avengers #1, Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler revealed that Mount Wundagore was the twins’ birthplace. Not only that but one of the High Evolutionary’s creations, Bova, delivered the pair. The human-cow hybrid took on a maternal role after their real mother Magda gave birth to them and left while on the run from their—at the time—father, Magneto.
The reason this is key to what we see in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is because while Wanda’s mother was giving birth, her daughter was “touched by the magic of Chthon.” That’s what gave her those Scarlet Witch powers. Though that wasn’t in the film, Wanda’s powers being connected to Chthon would explain why his minions wanted to serve her. The one big thing that was missing, though, was the High Evolutionary and his creations, but we may see them soon.
How Could Mount Wundagore Play into the Future of the MCU?
Though it seems like Wanda destroyed Mount Wundagore at the end of the movie, there’s a chance the location could come into play in the wider future of the MCU. Rumors claim that character we mentioned before, the High Evolutionary, is to be a major villain in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. That would connect to the introduction of Wundagore here, as well as being a way to continue the thread in GOTG 2 which brought Adam Warlock into the MCU. That stinger showed a cocoon with “Him” in it. Who was he? The only name we got was Adam. This echoes Adam’s creation in the comics where he’s grown in a cocoon. Later, that cocoon was taken by the High Evolutionary, who gave Adam the Soul Gem and set him on the path to become the emo cosmic hero that comic book fans know today.
With Warlock confirmed by James Gunn to be a part of the new film and Wundagore appearing here, this is all seeming ever more likely. The big question, however, is whether the High Evolutionary will return to Wundagore. Maybe he’s been there long before Wanda and Wong ever arrived. No matter what, it’s not going to be the last we see of the fantastical location. And we can’t wait to return.
