Doctor Strange 2 Is Continuing Sam Raimi’s Weirdest Tradition

Sam Raimi will reuse one very specific trope from his filmography in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The director who will helm the Doctor Strange sequel is acclaimed for his work on the Evil Dead franchise, as well as the first live-action Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. Raimi and Doctor Strange seem like a match made in heaven, as both the sorcerer and the filmmaker are known for their mind-blowingly bizarre stories and eccentric visuals. While the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer may be holding back on much of the sequel's multiversal plot points, it does tease some of the threats that come with alternate realities.

The discovery of the Marvel Cinematic Universe multiverse in Phase 4 opens the gate for infinite possibilities, including a wide variety of variants, the return of iconic actors, and unexpected resurrections. With the precedent of Loki, Marvel's What If...?, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will bring Strange's evil variant. Whether this evil Doctor Strange is the same Strange Supreme introduced in What If...? episode 4 is yet to be confirmed, but his twisted nature is evident.

The return of the evil Strange Supreme is like nothing the Master of the Mystic Arts has ever faced before. However, this kind of character is not a new challenge for Raimi. In his third installment of the Evil Dead franchise, 1992's Army of Darkness, Ash Williams meets his own evil doppelganger, who grows from his body after Ash swallows a tiny version of himself. Ten years later, Raimi introduced Norman Osborn's dark side in Spider-Man, where the Green Goblin overpowers Osborn inside his own head. Soon after, Spider-Man 3 featured Peter Parker's evil side, who was infamously nicknamed "Bully Maguire" for being more of an annoying jerk than a villain after the Venom symbiote suit corrupts Peter's mind.

Evil Doppelganger Trope in Sam Raimi's Movies

The “doppelganger/evil counterpart” trope would seem difficult to use repeatedly without it feeling tiresome. Yet, Raimi continues to implement it in very different movies, to varied results. Army of Darkness may be the most bizarre example, but it fits within all the outlandish antics that Ash Williams experiences. Green Goblin's psychological divide is less flashy but still terrifying, and it gave Willem Dafoe the tools to deliver one of the most intense performances in superhero movie history. Maguire's "bully" Peter Parker has been criticized for his goofy behavior, but the character has gained popularity among audiences in recent years.

It seems Strange Supreme in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will bring Raimi back to his roots. Although the presence of Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange 2 suggests the evil Doctor Strange won't be the main villain, he could be the star of the movie's most freakish sequences. Doctor Strange's stoic personality already contrasts with his visually stunning powerset, so seeing him confront his dark counterpart will definitely be a treat.

Doctor Strange may not be the only Avenger to face his demons, however. Even after her disastrous Westview experience in WandaVision, Scarlet Witch is still a threat to the entire multiverse. It's possible she will also confront her darker side at some point, though she will have her hands full with Doctor Strange, Wong, America Chavez, Mordo, and Rintrah the Minotaur all wanting to protect the multiverse their own way. For now, Strange Supreme will be Sam Raimi's designated evil doppelganger in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

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