A new batch of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness concept art depicts haunting zombie Strange variants that didn’t make the final cut. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness focused on Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange trying to keep America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) safe from Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda, who went full-villain as the Scarlet Witch. Her goal was to absorb America’s multiversal powers and be reunited with variant versions of her twin sons, who she both discovered and lost in the Marvel Cinematic Universe show WandaVision.
Concept artist Thomas du Crest shared on his ArtStation profile new looks at different designs for the zombie Doctor Strange from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Zombie Strange was one of the movie’s many Doctor Strange variants, like Evil and Defender Stranges. There is a key difference between the unused designs and the final version from the movie, with the concept art presenting Doctor Strange at several increasing states of decay, each looking more terrifying than what came before, and the Zombie Strange from the movie looking relatively tame in comparison. Check out the new concept art below:
Why Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Needed More Horror
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness went through different iterations, starting with original director Scott Derrickson departing the movie over creative differences with Marvel Studios. His original idea for the Doctor Strange sequel was deeply rooted in the horror genre, with rumors around the original version of the movie including Scarlet Witch not as a villain, but an ally to Strange and Wong as they battled the villainous Nightmare, leader of his own Dream Dimension. Kevin Feige had other plans in mind, however, and that version of the story was dropped entirely in favor of a new creative team taking over.
Spider-Man trilogy director Sam Raimi was hired to direct the movie based on a script by Loki head writer Michael Waldron. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ story went a completely different way, with Wanda serving as the main antagonist. While the previous script was completely scrapped, the idea of imbuing the movie with horror elements continued, with Raimi’s own Evil Dead horror past influencing the decision. In the end, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featured Raimi’s classic, campy style of horror, with some gore and scary scenes that aren’t common in the MCU, but it ultimately didn’t meet the levels of full-on horror promised by Derrickson when the movie was announced, which could have made the project a unique entry in the MCU.
When Will Doctor Strange Return In The MCU?
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ mid-credits scene, Strange meets the sorceress Clea (Charlize Theron), who tells him that his actions have started an incursion and that Strange must help her fix it. The scene ends with Strange and Clea jumping into a portal to the Dark Dimension. The scene was a clear tease for Avengers: Secret Wars, the upcoming Avengers 6, which will follow Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. An incursion is the event where two worlds collide with one another, and is the main cause of the Secret Wars comic storyline. Audiences can also expect Strange to return in Avengers: Secret Wars due to that movie being written by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness scribe Waldron.
Source: Thomas du Crest/ArtStation