Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness screenwriter Michael Waldron addressed the backlash received from WandaVision fans over the decision to make Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch the villain in the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster.
In an interview with The Playlist, Waldron was asked about his thoughts on the negative reactions from WandaVision fans claiming that many of Wanda's actions in the film were out of character. "I guess I would say to the WandaVision fans, like, I get it," he said. "Watching a character you love do bad things sucks. That elicits a strong feeling, which is what we’re trying to do in the movies. We never would have done it if it didn’t feel like the next step in her character journey."
Waldron has previously addressed Wanda's evil turn, noting that he believes that WandaVision foreshadowed her villainous ways. "My interpretation of WandaVision is that she confronts her grief and she lets go of the people she has under her control, but I don't think she necessarily resolves her grief in that show, and I don't think she resolves her anger. Maybe she's able to say goodbye to Vision, but I think she's really just fallen in love with those kids."
With the original Spider-Man trilogy's Sam Raimi in the director's seat, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness explores the mind-boggling and bizarre concept of alternate realities. Benedict Cumberbatch's former Sorcerer Supreme and his allies hop through a variety of alternate universes in an attempt to track down a new danger threatening to completely obliterate the divisions between these realities. Joining Cumberbatch and Olsen in an all-star cast are Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer.
At the time of writing, the new Doctor Strange film has grossed a remarkable $532.6 million at the box office worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing movie of 2022. Multiverse of Madness has received generally positive reviews, with critics lauding Raimi's direction, the visual effects, the musical score and the performances of the cast, especially Cumberbatch, Olsen and Gomez. Despite this reception, fans have mixed feelings about the sequel as it currently holds the second-lowest CinemaScore in the MCU.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently showing in theaters.
Source: The Playlist
