How a different villain could've made Multiverse of Madness better
Ever since I first saw Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness back in May 2022, I've often found myself wondering about how it could've been better or at least more interesting, and one of the answers, was the film's villain.
Seeing Sam Raimi unleash his horror-infused madness through Wanda was really fun, but her going full villain mode from the get-go doesn't sit right with me. Instead, in my opinion, the villain of the film should've been, who else, but Doctor Strange himself.
Now by saying this, I obviously don't mean our Strange. I'm talking about the 838-Strange. His backstory is literally perfect for this- A hero whose desperation to save his universe led to a massive catastrophe. This neatly mirrors our Strange, who was faced with the fact that his decision to hand over the Time Stone led to the Snap.
I would merge 838 Strange with the Sinister Strange that we see late into the film, inhabiting a dying universe. This universe would be the one that got destroyed in the Incursion he caused, and his goal would be to revive this universe, by hook or by crook. This would paint him as a tragic figure, dealing with the guilt of his actions, which brings me to my next point- Wanda.
In my version, Wanda would actually be Strange's apprentice, going to him as a form of penance for the harm she caused in Westview, seeking his help to control her powers. The generation of her Hex would've caused a beep on the radar of Darkholds across universes, including 838 Strange's.
Realizing that Wanda's Hex-generating abilities is what he needs to bring back the dying universe, 838 Strange would seek her help. Wanda would be conflicted as this could lead to even more Incursions, but 838 Strange would manipulate her using her want to redeem herself after the suffering she caused, and her urge to reunite with her kids.
Thus, this version of the film would revolve around our principal 3 characters, and how they grapple with the guilt of their respective actions. This is just a rough idea I had, which is far from being properly developed, as a lot of the other aspects of the film, like America Chavez's role, are still unclear to me.
This is not in anyway a criticism of anyone involved with the making of the film, it is solely for fun.
Leave any thoughts, questions, etc. down below. Thanks!
Seeing Sam Raimi unleash his horror-infused madness through Wanda was really fun, but her going full villain mode from the get-go doesn't sit right with me. Instead, in my opinion, the villain of the film should've been, who else, but Doctor Strange himself.
Now by saying this, I obviously don't mean our Strange. I'm talking about the 838-Strange. His backstory is literally perfect for this- A hero whose desperation to save his universe led to a massive catastrophe. This neatly mirrors our Strange, who was faced with the fact that his decision to hand over the Time Stone led to the Snap.
I would merge 838 Strange with the Sinister Strange that we see late into the film, inhabiting a dying universe. This universe would be the one that got destroyed in the Incursion he caused, and his goal would be to revive this universe, by hook or by crook. This would paint him as a tragic figure, dealing with the guilt of his actions, which brings me to my next point- Wanda.
In my version, Wanda would actually be Strange's apprentice, going to him as a form of penance for the harm she caused in Westview, seeking his help to control her powers. The generation of her Hex would've caused a beep on the radar of Darkholds across universes, including 838 Strange's.
Realizing that Wanda's Hex-generating abilities is what he needs to bring back the dying universe, 838 Strange would seek her help. Wanda would be conflicted as this could lead to even more Incursions, but 838 Strange would manipulate her using her want to redeem herself after the suffering she caused, and her urge to reunite with her kids.
Thus, this version of the film would revolve around our principal 3 characters, and how they grapple with the guilt of their respective actions. This is just a rough idea I had, which is far from being properly developed, as a lot of the other aspects of the film, like America Chavez's role, are still unclear to me.
This is not in anyway a criticism of anyone involved with the making of the film, it is solely for fun.
Leave any thoughts, questions, etc. down below. Thanks!
Commentaires
LOL Evil McGuffin introduced/executing off-screen vs Good McGuffin introduced 30s ago.
After credit scene, in a D+ show. You know exactly what I mean.
I even qualified it with "introduced/executing"
Either him or Lilith. Maybe she is back to reclaim Darkhold or sth.
I think the movie made the right call putting America in that role. She’s a future young avenger who is lost in the world with no parents. She needs Strange’s protection, guidance and support to build her up for her future as a hero.
As far as finding a student goes. Wanda just never seemed like someone who respected others and wanted to learn from them. I remember Natasha giving her advice in civil war only to get a dismissive “you know I can move things with my mind” back from Wanda. She outright tells Agatha she doesn’t need her to tell her who she is. Doctor strange doesn’t suffer fools gladly and wouldn’t have had the patience for someone like Wanda that is arrogant and doesn’t respect people in positions of knowledge.
Is it little wonder that Wanda doesn't trust anyone? Every day of her life, she faced terror and sudden death. Sitcom became her escape from that terror. She was watching tv with her family and her parents were killed by a rocket. When she went to recover Vision's body, she went alone. Why should she give any deference to the woman who tried to kill her? That is the height of hypocrisy.
Although it will be super interesting when doctor strange does meet Agatha. As when he does she will be a teacher and surrogate mom to one of the young avengers. She’s going to be a hero by proxy so his reaction to her would be fun to see.
Since this was supposed to be Dr. Strange's film, it needed a villain that connected to him personally as Nightmare would have as well as giving him some much needed depth that he is severely lacking.
It's a movie about the importance of other people at your lowest point. Wanda fits that story perfectly.
Also the entire continuity of the world and universe makes no sense with how many super powered beings exist and how few are ever involved in almost every situation that happens...
Superman did everything much better creating a much more believable superhero infused environment.
edited: strange being the villain of the movie is actually the point of the movie itself... with the rescuing america scene and >!the post credit is supposed to explicitly shows that.!<