New art for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness merchandise gives fans a fresh look at its hero’s two variants, Evil Strange and Defender Strange. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Stephen Strange is set to further explore the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s multiverse. Directed by Sam Raimi and written by Michael Waldron, Doctor Strange’s upcoming sequel stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Rachel McAdams, and Xochitl Gomez in her debut as America Chavez.

Doubling down on its title, Multiverse of Madness looks to capitalize on the idea of parallel universes and alternate versions of well-known characters, AKA variants. Similar to No Way Home's inclusion of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men alongside Tom Holland, Multiverse of Madness’ trailer confirmed Cumberbatch plays at least two additional versions of the movie's titular sorcerer. Specifically, an evil Strange, similar to What If…?’s Strange Supreme, and Defender Strange, who was also revealed in the trailer and via merchandise for the movie.

Related: Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness: Every Update You Need To Know

Now, some new Multiverse of Madness promotional art gives a new look at Strange’s variants ahead of the movie's release. The posters (via Redwolf) see the MCU's established Doctor Strange along with Strange Supreme and Defender Strange. Check them out below:

Doctor Strange 2 Art Gives New Look at the Hero’s Two Variants
Doctor Strange 2 Art Gives New Look at the Hero’s Two Variants
Doctor Strange 2 Art Gives New Look at the Hero’s Two Variants

Unless he's the same variant from Disney+'s What If…?, Evil Strange, that variant's motives and/or backstory aren’t yet clear in Multiverse of Madness. However, Defender Strange and his ponytail are inspired by his Defenders counterpart in the comics. Created by Roy Thomas and Ross Andru in 1971, The Defenders are a team of superhuman outsiders who often face otherworldly threats. The team’s original iteration included Strange, Hulk, Namor, and Silver Surfer. They last assembled in live-action in Netflix’s The Defenders, featuring Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist. Given the group's heroic nature, it's a safe bet that Defender Strange will likely ally himself with the MCU’s primary Strange.

It’s unclear how big a role Strange’s variants will have in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or if Evil Strange will even be its main antagonist. The film is likely to have a plethora of other variants aside from the "Strange" ones. Rumors persist that the film will feature variants of the X-Men, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Scarlet Witch, with the latter character poised to also threaten the multiverse as she searches for her children. A horror and comic book aficionado, Raimi has supposedly helmed the MCU’s scariest film yet. But audiences will have to wait to see it when hits theaters on May 6, 2022.

More: Marvel Should Lean Into Horror After Doctor Strange 2 - For Real This Time

Source: Redwolf

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