Warning! Spoilers ahead for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now in theaters, featuring a justified multitude of Easter eggs and references in its reality-hopping adventure. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch's titular sorcerer as he seeks to protect a young new hero with the power to destroy every universe in existence, Stephen Strange is quite literally flung across the multiverse in this epic new chapter of the MCU. As such, many of the Easter eggs featured involve variants of the same character, new characters introduced who live in alternate realities, as well as new uses of magic as Doctor Strange encounters Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch (a reunion that isn't quite so happy).
Unlike some of the more self-contained MCU projects that have recently been released, Doctor Strange 2 is massive in scope with a plethora of connections. Not only are there ties to the MCU but there are also many that connect to other aspects of Marvel Comics which exist elsewhere in the vast multiverse that's been introduced. Teasing future installments such as Doctor Strange 3 and even a future Avengers-level crossover, the new Marvel film exists as an anchor point for what's ahead.
There are plenty of references for eagle-eyed and well-read fans of the comics to find in Doctor Strange 2. The film's heavy use of magic is a goldmine of Easter eggs with several spells that can be found on the page. However, there are plenty of callbacks to past films in the MCU as well as references to other popular Marvel projects. Here's every Easter egg and MCU reference in Doctor Strange 2.
Defender Strange
The first Stephen Strange that America Chavez teams up with in Doctor Strange 2 is a variant wearing his Defenders costume from the comics when the original team was Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer, and himself. The look is made complete with a ponytail (much to the primary Strange's distaste). It's also revealed that Defender Strange was the Sorcerer Supreme of his universe and could speak Spanish.
Book Of Vishanti
A book of magical power with the ability to grant a sorcerer whatever they require to achieve victory, the Book of Vishanti was created by the first Sorcerer Supreme Agamotto and the god-like entities known as the Vishanti. Held in a space between universes, the book was sought after by multiple Stranges in Doctor Strange 2 in an attempt to fight the Scarlet Witch.
The Darkhold
The antithesis of the Book of the Vishanti, the WandaVision, the corruptive power of the book darkened Wanda's soul, making her desperate to be reunited with her children no matter the cost.
"Grand Calculus Of The Multiverse" (No Way Home Quote)
Before Defender Strange's death, he attempted to kill America Chavez and take her power to travel the multiverse. Claiming that it would be for the greater good, Strange used the same quote and logic as primary Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home: "In the grand calculus of the multiverse, their sacrifice means far more than their deaths." While the MCU's Strange was referring to letting Spider-Man's multiversal foes die, the alternate Defender Strange uses the same logic to justify his attempt to kill America.
Gargantos/Shuma-Gorath
Gargantos was another monster attempting to kidnap America Chavez. Resembling the classic Doctor Strange foe Shuma-Gorath but renamed due to copyright reasons, Gargantos being summoned by the Scarlet Witch to do her bidding resembles the Strange Supreme in Marvel's What If...? where he summoned his own supernatural creatures.
Doctor Strange Summoning Axe
During the fight with Gargantos, Doctor Strange summons a battle axe which may very well be the Axe of Angarruumus. This was a powerful weapon he wielded in the comics in a 2015 comics run by Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo.
Comics Spells Used Against Gargantos
During the Gargantos fight, some of the spells displayed by Doctor Strange and the current Sorcerer Supreme Wong look to have comics counterparts such as the Demons of Denak (the giant disembodied monster hands). The Chains of Krakkan are used to try and shackle the creature as well.
Spider-Man Conversation
Spider-Man and the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home are brought up during Doctor Strange and Wong's conversation with America Chavez about the multiverse. This includes a familiar confusion about where exactly his webs shoot out of (resembling Tom Holland's curiosity about Tobey Maguire's organic webs).
WandaVision Theme
Realizing that Gargantos was summoned using witchcraft, Doctor Strange suggests that they get the help of Wanda Maximoff. At this moment, the theme from the Disney+ series is heard, preceding a transition to Wanda still dreaming about her children in the fantasy life she created (and was forced to destroy) in the fake reality around the town of Westview.
Other Masters Of The Mystic Arts
Preparing for the Scarlet Witch's inevitable attack in her desire to claim America and her power, Kamar-Taj was fortified while other Masters of the Mystic Arts arrived from across the globe to provide . This includes the masters from Scotland, one of which greeted Wong by saying, "what an honor it is to court death with you once more”. As such, the "courting death" line feels like a call back to Thanos the Mad Titan.
