Doctor Strange 2 Trailer Debunks WandaVision Ending Theory

The first teaser for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness debunks a popular fan theory that ties it to the ending of WandaVision. Wanda Maximoff realized her true potential and became the Scarlet Witch at the end of WandaVision, but her journey involved using her reality-warping powers to brainwash an entire town. Many assumed that the events of the well-received Disney+ series would directly tie into Doctor Strange 2, but the trailer puts this theory to rest early on.

The multiverse has grown in prominence after the conclusion of the MCU’s Infinity Saga. After Mysterio’s false claims of being from a different reality were uncovered at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home, the MCU’s multiverse finally became integral to the plots of Loki and Marvel’s What If…?, before making its cinematic debut in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Following Strange and Spider-Man’s prevention of a multiversal crisis in No Way Home, Strange will work alongside the Scarlet Witch and newcomer America Chavez to avert another cataclysm.

In her grief over losing Pietro, Vision, and her hopes of a future with the latter, Wanda used her powers to transform a small town into a sitcom-like fantasy of an ideal life with her synthezoid lover. Though Maximoff is happy for a time, her powers remove the free will of numerous innocents, forcing them to play along with her fantasy. By the end of WandaVision, Maximoff frees the people of Westview, New Jersey, but her actions were expected by many to attract the attention of Doctor Strange in his upcoming sequel. Doctor Strange 2’s trailer, which premiered at the end of No Way Home, had Strange approach Wanda and tell her that he’s not interested in discussing the incident in Westview, debunking the theory and indicating that he needs her help for more ominous matters.

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange’s dialogue with Wanda in the teaser reveals that he already knows about the incident in Westview, though the film will likely explore when and how Strange became aware of it and why he was absent. Behind the scenes, Doctor Strange was originally intended to appear in WandaVision, but the showrunners decided against it, prioritizing Maximoff’s story instead. Strange was indirectly mentioned, however, as Agatha Harkness claimed that the Scarlet Witch’s powers of chaos magic were greater than that of the Sorcerer Supreme, a title once held by Strange but now belonging to Wong.

Considering the potential scale of Doctor Strange 2 and the fact that an evil alternate universe of Strange (perhaps Strange Supreme from What If…?) may be the film’s main antagonist, the mainstream version of Doctor Strange will need assistance. Scarlet Witch’s powers appear to be greater than Strange’s, so she’d be an invaluable ally against his evil doppelgänger. Moreover, Wanda’s chaos magic could be equally invaluable in repairing whatever damage is done to the multiverse.

WandaVision was, ultimately, a personal story that saw Wanda Maximoff deal with the fallout of Vision’s death and grow into her role as one of the MCU’s greatest magic users. Although her chaos magic altered the town of Westview, it didn’t create an alternate reality, nor was it pressing enough to warrant Doctor Strange’s attention. Strange is quick to dismiss the incident in Westview in the first trailer to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but Wanda’s newfound powers and title will likely come into play in the film, tying it to WandaVision in a different way.

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