Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer teases Benedict Cumberbatch’s romantic interest in Doctor Strange 3

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is finally out in theatres and is setting new box office records. Doctor Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, has stepped into the role as the leading man and face of the universe with him appearing in as many as six MCU movies. And Cumberbatch has no plans to depart from the MCU franchise soon and had earlier said that there are more stories to be told, indicating at another sequel soon. And now, the movie’s scribe has talked about the possibility of Steven Strange having a new love interest in the next film. 

Talking on Deadline's Hero Nation Podcast, via Comicbook, the writer said, "We always knew we wanted to introduce Clea, who in the comics is you could say the great love of Doctor Strange, but really in a lot of ways, his formidable equal as a sorcerer herself." 

Michael Waldron added that her backstory is interesting and reminded him that Clea is the niece of Dormammu, who appeared in the first Doctor Strange movie. For non-comic book fans, Clea eventually gets married to Steven Strange and is a formidable sorcerer. She also becomes the successor to Strange’s position as Sorcerer Supreme. 

The writer also said that the worry about the Marvel movie is that when you try and expand your scope, the story could become less personal and reduce the stakes. He also added that the addition of the multiverse helps the characters have What If…? (Disney+ Hotstar) moments and even face themselves, which is a way of holding a mirror against the characters. 

“Raimi's return to the world of Marvel with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a homecoming for him, and he indeed did a marvellous job. But, the demonic sorcery that is hyped well will leave you asking for more,” reads the movie’s review on OTTplay. 

Directed by Sam Raimi, the superhero flick also stars Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams in important roles. It is available in theatres around the country in English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.