We don’t envy Stephen Strange and his upcoming journey through infinite dimensions. But damn if we aren’t looking forward to watching it. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness debuted a new trailer during this year’s Super Bowl, and it’s one of the best in MCU history. The franchise’s first official foray into horror promises to introduce the most dangerous Variants yet. With a story that will truly open up the MCU to everyone, everywhere, and every possibility. And while the movie is surely holding back some big secrets, this newest promo already revealed a giant one. Patrick Stewart is coming to the MCU.
If you didn’t gasp at the sound of Sir Patrick Stewart’s voice in his Multiverse of Madness trailer, that’s probably only because you forgot how to breathe. Professor Charlies Xavier appears all but certain to be making his MCU debut. But which version of the character will it be? This trailer makes clear we won’t know for awhile. It features both multiple Wandas (and a return to Westview) and numerous Stranges. As well as a Captain Marvel Variant who is likely either Maria or Monica Rambeau. And there are even different kinds of Ultron robots. This likely won’t be the same Professor X Stewart played in the X-Men movies.
What does seem certain though is that Xavier is part of the MCU’s version of the Illuminati. The secret cabal of powerful figures worked together in the comics to fight back against the most dangerous of enemies. This iteration of the group looks like it deals with intra-dimensional threats. And clearly they’re not happy with the MCU’s Stephen Strange. His past actions have put all of existence in every parallel universe at risk. (Geez, maybe Sylvie shouldn’t have killed He Who Remains.)
Who—and how many versions of them—will save the day? We can’t wait to find out, even if it scares us just as much to watch it as it is for Stephen Strange to live it.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams, comes to theaters May 6.
