Chiwetel Ejiofor teases how Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi develops and expands the magical side of the MCU. Ejiofor reprises the role of Mordo in the sequel to 2016's Doctor Strange. The actor stars alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Benedict Wong, and Rachel McAdams.

As well as focusing on the expanding multiverse introduced in Loki and featured heavily in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will bring the focus back to the more mystical side of the MCU. After defeating cosmic titans and multiversal foes, Stephen Strange's (Cumberbatch) second MCU solo-film will bring the sorcerer back to locations like Kamar-Taj, while also seeing him face the horrors of the Darkhold following Wanda Maximoff's (Olsen) acceptance of the mantle of Scarlet Witch in WandaVision. Ejiofor previously teased Mordo's new Doctor Strange 2 role, following the character's absence from the MCU since the 2016 original, hinting that Raimi places him in a leadership position.

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Now, in an interview with ComicBook.com, Ejiofor says Raimi's movie expands the magical world of the MCU and builds upon what came before. The actor expresses his excitement at seeing the magical aspect of the MCU further fleshed out, stating that the horror director impressed him with how he tied together previously introduced elements of the franchise. Ejiofor also explains that he was excited to see certain characters interact with one another, teasing that the depth of the characters gives their moments together more complexity. Check out Ejiofor's full response below:

I think it's really exciting, and I think that this corner of the MCU is expanding in this really interesting way, it's just taking on a life of its own. With Sam Raimi as well, it's a really thrilling way of tying things together. These characters have depth and reach, and all of these skills and their interactions between each other and their interactions out in the world are becoming more complex, involved, and rich. I think it's going to be exciting.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo

Raimi previously discussed how Multiverse of Madness will develop Strange, stating that the film will force him to reevaluate his tactics and how he handles his duty to defend the world from mystical threats. During a press interview to promote the upcoming sequel, Raimi stated that, as Strange has developed throughout the Avengers movies, he has perhaps become too self-assured. The director then explained that the sequel will force the sorcerer to be less reliant upon himself, and open up to accepting others' assistance.

With an ambitious premise, wide-reaching potential, and a number of rumored high-profile cameos from new and familiar faces, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is shaping up to be a film that can lay the groundwork for the future of the MCU. Writer Michael Waldron has already named the movie as Loki season 2 setup, and Ejiofor's recent comments suggest that it will further define magic, and how it fits into the universe. While the MCU has tapped into mysticism and sorcery, it has tended to lean more into the cosmic and scientific, but the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel may solidify it as a more definitive concept under Raimi's guidance.

Next: The MCU Just Beat Raimi's Horror Record Before Doctor Strange 2

Source: ComicBook.com

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