Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is promising plenty of mayhem throughout the multiverse, as worlds collide in what is sure to be an action-packed film filled with surprising cameos from Marvel's past. The Doctor Strange sequel also promises to change the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever, either for better or worse.
With the inclusion of Wanda Maximoff as a principal character, many fans wonder if Multiverse of Madness will iconic the classic "House of M" comic storyline, wherein a distraught Scarlet Witch alters reality to erase mutants from existence. While this remains a theory, Marvel has already sneakily hinted that this event could happen in some form.
"Breaking The Rules"
Multiverse of Madness's Super Bowl trailer included a piece of a conversation between Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch, in which the latter laments with a hint of bitterness the sad fact that when Strange breaks the rules, he is considered a hero, yet she is portrayed as a villain for doing the very same thing.
Wanda's line is a reference to when she "broke the rules" in creating the Westview Anomaly in WandaVision, but it could also hint at something more. The comic book Wanda broke every rule imaginable in altering the fabric of reality itself during House of M. If the MCU's Wanda continues down this rogue path, she could very well commit an act in the same vein.
Chthon
Some eagle-eyed fans have begun to notice that, in the official poster for the Doctor Strange film, a certain demonic entity seems to make an appearance. This demon appears to be none other than Chthon, the dark being that cursed Wanda Maximoff as a child in the comics, and the author of the Darkhold.
With Marvel Studios seemingly confirming Chthon's appearance in the film, they could be hinting at a House of M storyline, as this character was a central piece of Wanda's tragic background leading to the comic event. If this is true, then Chthon may indeed prove to be the main villain of Multiverse of Madness after all.
House Of Harkness
After her appearance as the main antagonist in WandaVision, Katheryn Hahn's Agatha Harkness is getting her very own series within the MCU entitled House of Harkness. Agatha is just the latest MCU villain to warrant her spinoff series, but hers could prove to be far more important than anyone realized.
It is impossible to ignore the clear similarity between the title of Agatha's spinoff and the House of M comic book event. Though little is known about the series, it could potentially deal with the fallout of Wanda's choices in Multiverse of Madness, perhaps framing Agatha as a "reverse-House of M," as she tries to repair the damage done to the multiverse at Wanda's hand.
The Fox Mutants
The Super Bowl trailer for the Doctor Strange sequel stunned fans with the shocking revelation that Patrick Stewart's Professor X is a member of the MCU's multiversal Illuminati. This reveal has ground-breaking implications for the future of the MCU, including the possibility of other Fox mutants ing Xavier, but could also hint at Wanda's ending in the film.
There are currently no known mutants in the MCU, with the only character hinted at having a mutant gene being the Scarlet Witch herself. Perhaps encountering Professor X and certain other mutants from the multiverse will cause Wanda to realize she doesn't want to be alone, prompting her to pull the reverse of House of M, creating mutants rather than extinguishing them.
Cover Art
Many fans may be familiar with the iconic cover art of the House of M storyline in the comics, depicting Wanda Maximoff's descent into madness, as her corporeal form melts away into cubic fractures that dissipate into the aether. The art, created by Esad Ribic, perfectly showcases the superhero's fragile mindset after suffering such great losses in her life.
There is an interesting allusion to this cover in the latest Multiverse of Madness trailer. In a brief sequence of Strange and America Chavez drifting through the multiverse, they find their physical forms being ripped apart similarly, as cubic pieces of their bodies threaten to drift away into the universe. While this may simply be a fun allusion to the comics, it could also hint toward the ultimate conclusion of the film.
The Darkhold
WandaVision made it a point to introduce the Darkhold, the Book of the Damned, in its final episodes, only hinting at the incredible power held within. Both Doctor Strange trailers thus far have confirmed that the book will be making a reappearance in the film, and may factor heavily into the plot.
The Darkhold has unspeakable power within the Marvel Universe. Penned by the demon Chthon, this dark book can both make a reader go mad and give them incredible power over the universe. If Wanda, who possessed the Darkhold at the end of WandaVision, seeks to alter reality as we know it, this book could certainly give her the knowledge necessary to do exactly that.
Billy And Tommy
Billy and Tommy Maximoff are the children of Wanda and Vision in the Westview Anomaly. However, their existence was intimately tied with the hex over Westview, meaning that they couldn't survive once it was shut down. Wanda was forced to say goodbye to the twins as the Anomaly closed, with the death of her sons just the latest loss in Wanda Maximoff's tragic life.
WandaVision's post-credit scene hinted that Wanda was searching the multiverse for a universe that still had her two sons. Just as the comics depicted a grieving Wanda mourning the loss of Billy and Tommy, the MCU's Wanda could also allow her grief to push her to the brink of madness once more, destroying reality to save her beloved sons.
Wanda's Madness
It seems as though Wanda Maximoff will be descending into darker territory than ever before in Multiverse of Madness. Though little is shown of her overarching narrative throughout the film, it is heavily implied that her goals will not align fully with those of Doctor Strange, who may be forced to battle his fellow Avenger to save the multiverse.
Wanda was not in a good place mentally when the audience last saw her at the end of WandaVision. Now, with reality breaking around her, it wouldn't be out of the question for the powerful witch to allow herself to descend into madness, as the title of the film suggests. If this happens, there is no telling what the increasingly powerful Wanda could do--including breaking reality itself.
The Mutants
With Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, the mutants have been an inevitable addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years. It is only a matter of time before they are introduced to the already sprawling franchise, and Multiverse of Madness seems like the perfect place to do so.
The MCU must introduce mutants soon, or risk losing fan interest in the group's arrival. If they are to be introduced in Multiverse of Madness, then perhaps the best way is for Wanda to create mutants in her world, a reverse of her comic book counterpart in House of M. This would seamlessly introduce the mutants, perhaps giving them an entire history that has never before been seen in the franchise.
The Title
It is difficult not to notice the alliterative use of "M" in the title of Multiverse of Madness. With such a wordy title, one might be inclined to wonder if Marvel Studios is attempting to hide some sort of clues concerning the film's overall plot, perhaps an allusion to "House of M."
The film could end with Wanda's reality-bending moment, with the end title credit shifting into new words, perhaps dropping some letters to reveal the title as a possible anagram for "no more mutants," "reverse House of M," or, (should the "d" in "Madness" flip to a "b") "Let there be mutants." While this may be a far-out theory, there nevertheless remains some untapped clue hidden within the name of the film, one that may only be solved upon its release in May.
