Opening weekend is over for the return of the Sorcerer Supreme, so according to recent Geek Vibes Nation tradition, it’s time to uncover from our basket of findings in the forest the Top 10 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness easter eggs.
The movie was a financial success. It’s been critically appreciated, including a strong review from our stellar sophist, Dom Fisher. Before discussing the hidden gems inside the Multitude of Madness, let’s determine what is not an Easter Egg.
The key to an “Easter Egg” in a movie is a hidden reference, homage, or even inside jokes and shout-outs. Like a hunt following a bunny, you must search for these things in the movie. They are surprises, so if it was in a trailer or openly discussed during a press junket–they are cameos or delights.
From this point downward…
Major spoilers exist. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. See the movie, and then feel free to come back and talk about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Easter Eggs. You’ve been warned.
What are not Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Easter Eggs?
Suppose you come to GVN for the Top 10 lists every Monday, thanks! If not, mark your calendars. Although you won’t find them here, several lists discuss some of the most obvious “Easter Eggs.” Good for them, but that’s an oxymoron–if they’re obvious, they are just eggs you found on the shelf. No rabbits were involved. Those from the anticipated Phase 4 sequel include:
- Ms. Marvel, America Chavez – You saw her (Xochiti Gomez) in the trailer. She was not hidden at all.
- The Illuminati – If you know Marvel Comics, you know who would be there, which means you were surprised who was not. And then, there was that guy who was cast as a member.
- “The Necromancer,” Evil Dr. Strange – In canon, the Darkhold from an alternate world possessed Dr. Strange to possess the Sorcerer Supreme.
- Captain Carter – It’s odd how many things the trailers ruined because that’s not Marvel’s style, but there she was–Steve Rogers’ main squeeze (Hayley Atwell). However, in this film, she tips her cap to her man during a dust-up with Wanda with, “I can do this all day.” The 2011 score from Captain America: The First Avenger is also sampled. Excellent job, Danny Elfman.
- Baron Mordo – Nothing to see here. Thanks to the trailer, we already knew Chiwetel Ejiofor would be reprising his famous role as “Karl.”
- Wong – Again, we all knew Benedict Wong would be there. The only spoiler is that he did not disappoint!
- Professor X – One of the worst kept secrets among Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness “Easter Eggs” was Sir Patrick Stewart would be rolling in as Professor X. However, the surprise was the callback to X-Men: The Animated Series. Did you hear the theme in the score? And check out that vintage X-Men’97 banana yellow hoverchair. The dude just needed hydraulics and maybe some fuzzy dice. Great callback.
10. Dr. Strange the Defender?
The film starts immediately with action inside the multiverse, only to discover Doctor Strange was dreaming–or so he thought. After a scuffle, we find the Sorcerer Supreme beat down but wearing a fetching outfit seen when he teamed with the “Secret Defenders” in the early 1970s. Excellent eye on that Sam Raimi guy. He may have a future in the film business.
9. Quotes from Future Past
So, by now, we have seen Professor X, who is still as authoritative and commanding as ever. Believing in Doctor Strange’s ability to be different than his variants, Xavier reveals to Strange the location of the Book of Vishanti. He also quotes his iconic line from X-Men: Days of Future Past: “Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, doesn’t mean they are lost forever.”
That’s a lovely moment of inspiration to get the Illuminati to keep cheering for the magic man as the universe is about to fold into a pretzel, but it sure brought back great memories for the rest of us.
8. Hamir and Cheese
Fan service. That’s all this was, but who didn’t smile when they saw the bespectacled and mustachioed Master Hamir staring back at us. Naturally, he’s still the strong, silent type, but Kevin Feige gets us, doesn’t he?
7. Your Ears Ringing?
Sam Raimi is, among many things, diverse in his talent. Suffice it to say, the guy has a vivid imagination, and he used it to give us some references as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness easter eggs.
- Yes, The Ring. As Wanda fights her way out of some gnarly reflections, she crawls out of one Samara-style. If you blinked, you missed it, but it was cool.
- The Matrix. It was unexpected. Black Bolt gets his mouth closed Agent Smith-style. Only two people yelled in my theater, “Neo!” And no, I never met the other guy.
- Age of Ultron. As Doctor Strange is walked through the fortress, the Iron Legion or Ultron sentinels surround him. Either way, I longed to hear James Spader get smarmy, so I turned on The Blacklist.
6. Home Sweet Home
From the moment Doctor Strange visits Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), the allegory of home is the center of this film. What people consider as the confines of the house is subjective, depending on whom you ask, but for her, it was more complicated. If you saw WandaVision on Disney Plus, you know. Those varied opinions created different Easter Eggs laid throughout the film.
- Earth One – We learn through Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) that these different universes are numbered, making canon fans happy. Strange’s universe was Earth 616. That’s where we all live.
- Earth 838 – Then, the Illuminati share Strange hangs out on Earth 838. It’s home for someone, but no one in Marvel. Those digits weren’t in Marvel before this. Indeed, this was one of those Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness easter eggs for someone, just not us.
- Earth-199999 – A section of the second act shows Doctor Strange was facing the Necromancer on Earth 199999. Back in 2008, one of those books was used as a doorstop called Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z, Vol. 5. If 2008 sounds familiar, it should. That’s also the year of Iron Man becoming a CBM. From 2008 to 2022, we were “in” Earth-199999. Now, it’s 616, so buh-bye Infinity Saga.
- Mount Wundagore – DYK: this is the original birthplace of the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver in the comics? Also, a demon named Chthon carved the Darkhold on the walls inside a temple on Mount Wundagore. Incidentally, Marvel created Chthon in 1975 and was inspired by HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu.
5. Got My Eye on You
For the casual CBM fan, this was just a jacked-up monster or some reject from Men in Black. This thing deterred Doctor Strange from crashing Christine’s wedding. However, if you are down with comics, you know this was one of the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness easter eggs that goes back to 1973.
This is Shuma-Gorath, otherwise known as Gargantor. This is one of the fabled “Old Ones” in Marvel as legend has it. Guy has a couple of nicknames, including the Lord of Chaos. Something like 21,000 years ago, Shuma-Gorath spread his tentacles all over Earth and has connections to Conan the Barbarian. Good times.
4. Reunited and It Feels So Good
If you have spent any time outside the original Spider-Verse, you know Sam Raimi has a big bromance with Bruce Campbell. (They’ve been friends since high school.) Speaking of Spider-Man, he was the wrestling announcer when Peter started playing with his skills. The star of the Evil Dead franchise is for Sam Raimi as John Ratzenberger is for Pixar–good luck charms.
It was only a matter of time, and Ash was there as Pizza Poppa. (Funny post-cred spot too.) Did you notice Dr. Strange’s spell on Poppa? Campbell’s hand beats him up–just like what happened in Evil Dead. (We see you, Raimi.)
Another good luck charm of Sam’s is his beloved 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88, which he’s had since he was in film school with Campbell–as you can learn in a great breakdown in FilmBuffOnline. In Doctor Strange 2, “The Classic” is airborne during an incursion right before Doctor Strange meets Evil him. Pretty deft with those easter eggs.
3. Old School Disney
Wanda’s sons, Billy and Tommy, ironically has a thing for classic Disney animation. One time, they were watching Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, which was first shown by Disney in 1927. He didn’t work, so Walt Disney had this idea about some stupid mouse – and a legend was born. Another time, we see the boys enjoying some classic Disney animation, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. (One for each multiverse?)
2. Season of the Witch
The only thing more exciting than seeing a lavender-clad Charlize Theron in the post-credit scene was understanding who she was — Clea, the Sorceress Supreme! You know one of the most fascinating Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness easter eggs was going to be in the bonus coverage during credits. This did not disappoint.
Since Christine is gone, why not meet Doctor Strange’s future wifey? That’s Clea, who has been around since 1964. The casting is stellar. Look at that picture. She’s great. Just wait until Doctor Strange 3 when Feige flexes on special effects for a homecoming trip to the Dark Dimension where she’s from. This should be fun.
1. That was Fantastic
Did the fanbase of Marvel actually fancast this one? People have been clamoring for years to make Reed Richards into a doppelganger of sorts, John Krasinski. He’s there. While the creation of Zack Snyder’s Justice League was the fandom’s greatest quest, this reality was our most committed. Years, and Marvel listened! (Beat that, WBD!)
During the chat with The Illuminati, Reed mentions his wife, Sue Storm (who better be Emily Blunt) and having children. While the Flop 4s didn’t delve here, those kids–Valeria and Franklin Richards–are some of the most freakish mutants in Marvel history. They’re coming and should be amazing!
Did we miss any true Easter Eggs that you believe make this list? Let us know in the comments and come back next week for another Top 10!
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Since he saw ‘Dune’ in the $1 movie theater as a kid, this guy has been a lover of geek culture. It wasn’t until he became a professional copywriter, ghostwriter, and speechwriter that he began to write about it (a lot).
From the gravitas of the Sith, the genius of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, or the gluttony of today’s comic fan, SPW digs intelligent debate about entertainment. He’s also addicted to listicles, storytelling, useless trivia, and the Oxford comma. And, he prefers his puns intended.