Doctor Strange: Journey to the Multiverse of Madness is one of those movies that gets better with every screening. The film, directed by Sam Raimi, is a veritable gold mine for those with a keen eye for hidden parallels and inside jokes.
Ever since the film established itself as a staple of the Marvel canon, the directors have been dropping clues that leave audiences wondering “what if?” Screenwriter Michael Waldron, who is currently working on Season 2 of Loki, recently spoke with Empire magazine, where he said he planned to feature Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in the post-credits sequence of the series.
Sam wanted to use it for so long
Fans have indeed been eagerly awaiting the inclusion of Mr. Fantastic and the other team members in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Disney’s acquisition of Fox. When the company finally hired John Krasinski in the second installment of the Doctor Strange franchise, it looked like a plea had been granted.
Waldron said it was important to him to have Reed Richards in the story and that writing Mr. Fantastic was a lifelong goal. The screenwriter originally included the character in a post-credits sequence because he wanted to include him in the film so badly.
Here is what he said-
“In my very first draft, I wrote a tag just for fun, with the events of the film being recorded and reviewed by someone in the Baxter building, and an outstretched hand entering the frame to bring him back.”
And who could hold Waldron responsible for that? The pleasure of Krasinski and the public in his presence is mutual. Waldron says, “I was always trying to get him here somewhere because Reed is maybe my favorite Marvel Comics hero.”
Reed Richards, along with Captain Carter, Professor X, Captain Marvel, and Baron Mordo, are all members of the Earth-838 Illuminati in the Multiverse of Madness 2022. Earth-616’s Scarlet Witch possesses Wanda, and despite the best efforts of the world’s most powerful superheroes, Wanda is able to escape and go in search of her children.
Richards attempts to show Wanda compassion by telling her about his own children, but he is quickly torn to shreds. As for Scarlet Witch, the script suggests, “She’s stepping down from the board…right now?” Still? How it goes, time will tell. Additionally, he said, “I would like to see her again…”
