Sam Raimi details the 'corny' Doctor Strange 2 scene that Kevin Feige wanted to cut

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Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi has revealed the ‘corny’ scene that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige wanted to cut.

Partway through the movie, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo engage in a staredown, complete with close-ups of their eyes reminiscent of previous Raimi film The Quick and the Dead.

As Raimi explained on the Doctor Strange director’s commentary (H/T ComicBook.com): "I think Kevin thought maybe it was a little corny, and he wanted to cut it out. But I said, 'Please, Kevin, let me have that.' He went, 'Okay, fine. Have your corny stuff.' It was very, very kind of him."

Not everything was saved from the cutting room floor by Kevin Feige, however. As writer Michael Waldron also revealed in the audio commentary, Multiverse of Madness was originally set to have a much darker ending compared to Charlize Theron's Clea showing up in the Doctor Strange 2 post-credits scenes.

"Strange gets trapped in that [incursion] universe," Waldron explained. "And then [Sinister Strange] turns around, and the third eye opens."

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.