Doctor Strange 2 Sets The Stage For Standalone Marvel Movies

thegamer.com:

The MCU’s whole deal is that it is an interconnected universe. That’s what the ‘U’ stands for. This has worked in Marvel’s favour so far - movies that cinemagoers might not necessarily have gone to see have generated more interest because Captain Marvel might show up, or because these characters might be needed in Black Panther 2, or because somewhere down the line this new hero might help, or even join, the Avengers.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness didn’t need any of these ifs and buts. While Strange’s debut movie isn’t considered amongst Marvel’s best, Strange has had major roles in several team-ups and Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the MCU’s biggest stars. Plus, Wanda was essentially billed as joint lead here, and multiverses have been repeatedly explained as crucial parts of Phase Four. It was very clear Doctor Strange could set up Movie X, Movie Y, and Movie Z, but it was also led by two massively popular box office draws and people were going to see this movie, not the movie that might have come after.

Related: Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Doesn't Undo WandaVision

While Olsen has more indie cinema in her resume than blockbusters, she is one of the MCU’s most charming and likeable leads and will always put bums on seats. Of course, she’s not particularly likeable in Multiverse of Madness, but that’s what makes the movie so compelling overall. The best example of this comes in a standalone universe, which should be the future of the MCU.

Multiverse of Madness is the first time the Marvel universe we know is referred to as 616, just as it is in the comics. That essentially means everything that happens in 616 (or to 616 characters as they hop through into other universes) is canon. But it