Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis finally here, but along the production process came many reshoots, perhaps more than what was expected. Now, director Sam Raimi opens up about those extensive reshoots, explaining why they were necessary.
It was back in January when Raimi shared thatDoctor Strange 2could most definitely undergo more reshoots. Fast-forward to March and the film did in fact see many significant reshoots, butaccording to star Benedict Cumberbatch, they were merely to make up for the lost time due to the pandemic and unavailable actors.
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In a new interview with Rolling Stone leading up to the film’s big theatrical release, Raimi explained that theDoctor Strange 2reshootsmostly were a result of the film’s complex, multiversal storyline. “It’s a really complex movie. It’s probably the most complex movie I’ve ever had anything to do with. Not just dealing with one character, or even five characters, but multiversal versions of those characters — and each one has a storyline.” Raimi also added that test screenings played a crucial role in determining how well the story was resonating with audiences and if each scene felt organic or not.
“There’s a lot of points where the audience says, ‘I don’t understand this. I don’t understand this concept.’ Or, ‘I’m aware of this concept, and then you explained it again in the third act.’ ‘Oh, you’re right. The audience knows that already,'” Raimi explained. “Or: ‘They had to know that to accept this next story beat.’ A lot of it is test screenings, learning what is confusing on a complex picture like this, or learning things that have overstayed their welcome.”
While reshoots can be a natural part of the production process (especially when a film centers on a concept as expansive and bizarre as the multiverse), a film undergoing significant ones is typically not a good sign, as it means that the film has just not been clicking overall. But in this case, it appears the reshoots for Raimi’s latest comic book film come down to fine-tuning and ensuring that audiences are presented with oneunique and exciting MCU film. Judging from fan reactions following the film’s premiere, it looks like the reshoots definitely paid off.
After the events ofLokiseason one andSpider-Man: No Way Home, the 28th MCU film follows Cumberbatch’s sorcerer hero through the alternate realities of the multiverse as he is forced to make new allies in order to defeat new threats that seek to wreak havoc on several universes. Joining Cumberbatch is Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, Benedict Wong as Wong, and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer. Raimi has taken over for director Scott Derrickson (who helmed the first film) and has worked witha script fromLokihead writerMichael Waldron.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis now playing in theaters.
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