When Marvel Studios’ WandaVision debuted in early 2021, it generated a flurry of fan speculations, many of which proved to be off the mark. Among the most famous was the theory suggesting that the mysterious red-skinned character Mephisto would emerge as the show’s hidden antagonist. However, another widespread rumor circulating in the weeks before the show’s finale was the potential for Doctor Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, to make an unexpected cameo.
In the end, that cameo didn’t materialize, but it seems fans were not entirely off-base. In a recent conversation with Variety, Jac Schaeffer, who created WandaVision and the spinoff Agatha All Along, disclosed that Doctor Strange was indeed slated to appear in the series. When asked about any discarded post-credits scenes she had written for Marvel, Schaeffer revealed, “Yes. I’ll share this one, as it’s been a while, and the statute of limitations might be up. Originally, Doctor Strange was supposed to show up in the tag for WandaVision.”
Schaeffer elaborated on the scrapped scene, saying, “It’s Wanda sitting on the porch of that cabin, peacefully rocking in her chair. You know how Strange can create those circles to teleport someone? The circle forms around her, indicating she’s about to be transported, but she halts it, insisting that Strange must come to her instead. I loved that concept, as it portrays Wanda saying, ‘No, I won’t go where you want to teleport me. You need to come to my door.’ It was a great idea, but ultimately, another scene was chosen.”
Instead of the originally planned idea, the final scene showcases Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) residing in her secluded cabin. However, rather than her serene life being disrupted by Doctor Strange, the post-credits scene culminates in Wanda’s astral projection intensely poring over the enigmatic Darkhold tome while hearing the voices of her children, Billy and Tommy, seeking her assistance. This moment sets the stage for the plot of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in which Wanda’s pursuit to cross into another universe to find her sons leads her down a darker path.
The scene that Schaeffer envisioned would have also set the tone for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, particularly highlighting Wanda’s adversarial connection with Stephen Strange in that film. Although the decision to cut Doctor Strange’s cameo left MCU fans feeling disappointed when the show concluded in 2021, they can now find some comfort knowing that their speculation regarding Doctor Strange wasn’t as unfounded as their Mephisto theories.
Both WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness are currently available for streaming on Disney+.
