WARNING: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness!

Michael Waldron, the writer behind Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, teases the potential new love interest for Benedict Cumberbatch's title character in the future. The highly anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe movie came to theaters this weekend, garnering a generally positive response from both critics and audiences. Continuing the exploration of the multiverse from previous titles like WandaVisionWhat If...? and Spider-Man: No Way Home, the new film sees Stephen Strange on a mission to protect America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) from Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), who wants to harness her power.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness's mid-credits scene contained one of the most shocking surprise appearances in the film. The titular sorcerer is seen casually walking down the street when he is suddenly approached by a sorceress clad in purple garb, played by acclaimed action star Charlize Theron. She warns Strange that his actions have caused a multiversal incursion that he must help stop, opening a portal to the Dark Dimension — the realm of Dormammu, as previously seen in Doctor Strange's first movie in 2016. This new enchantress is Clea, who is known in Marvel Comics as a student, lover, and eventual wife of Doctor Strange.

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In an interview on Deadline's Hero Nation podcast (reported by The Direct), Waldron spoke about introducing this new character into the MCU and Doctor Strange's life. He professed that Clea was always the plan and described her ties to Dormammu. He then explained that for her to be properly introduced as Strange's true love interest as she is in the comics, his relationship with Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) had to be resolved. He concluded by spelling out how, after the events of Multiverse of Madness, Strange is pondering Palmer's advice to "be open to the idea of loving someone," allowing for the opportune moment for Clea to arrive. Read Waldron's full quotes below:

"We always knew we wanted to introduce Clea, who in the comics is you could say the great love of Doctor Strange, but really in a lot of ways his formidable equal as a sorcerer herself. Her backstory is fascinating, she's the niece of Dormammu, the giant floating head from the first movie."

"They have a lot of great adventures in the comics, and we knew we wanted to introduce her, but it felt like we had to close the book to some extent on his love story with Christine Palmer, Rachel McAdams' character."

"So you know, Doctor Strange hears that wisdom from Christine to face his fears and be open to the idea of loving someone and then along comes Clea and I guess we'll see what happens next between the two of them."

Christine, Doctor Strange, and America looking shocked in Doctor Strange in the MoM.

By the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Stephen Strange is still considered one of the most important characters in the MCU, so it isn't a huge surprise that the mid-credits scene set up a direct sequel. It's too early to tell when Doctor Strange 3 will be released or if Clea will appear in a Marvel project before then. However, given Clea's status in Marvel comics, Theron will likely have a large role in the MCU going forward. It seems likely that Clea and Doctor Strange will eventually become romantically involved, and after a while, Theron could even replace Cumberbatch as Earth's protector should the time come to kill off Stephen.

Theron's introduction as Clea in that mid-credits scene left open a multiverse of potential for the future of Doctor Strange in the MCU. Seeing as she's known for being a huge action movie star with films like Atomic BlondeMad Max: Fury Road, and The Old Guard, it was really only a matter of time before she'd enter the world of comic book movies. With such an intriguing character, one can only wonder what she will bring to the screen as Clea. As for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the new Marvel adventure is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Next: Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Ending Explained (In Detail)

Source: Deadline's Hero Nation (via The Direct)

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