Could Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have been peak? Sam Raimi reveals some cut content from the film, including a whole universe that was scrapped.
Sam Raimi is finally back at the box office with Send Help, his devilishly weird horror film starring Rachel McAdams. Yet some may forget that their collaborations didn’t start with this most recent film. Rather, the two first worked together in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where McAdams played Christine Palmer.
When speaking with The Playlist, Sam Raimi gave fans some insight on what it was like to work with Rachel McAdams during the production of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Included in this was some revelations about content cut from the final product, which includes an entire universe added in reshoots that was ultimately scrapped.
“In the multiverse, [Rachel McAdams] not only played the character she created in Doctor Strange, but she also played three versions in the multiverse that had a slightly different background. And I saw her manifest the same character with subliminal tweaks, and that would be the result of those background changes.
“And I thought, she’s fascinating. It’s like a musical instrument—watching it play. And then [in reshoots] that we do for Marvel sometimes, Michael Waldron created [another] universe.”
“So now she had a different backstory. I saw her take those notes from the script and recreate the character yet another time with a proper re-tunement based on that background and how it would be reflected in the modern moment.”
Rachel McAdams Cut Action Scene
Yet it seems that a universe wasn’t the only thing cut for Rachel McAdams’ character. Sam Raimi reveals that there was yet another wildly inventive fight planned for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featuring McAdams’ Christine Palmer. However, that too was ultimately cut by the director and studio.
“In the reshoot, I added a little bit of cheesy fights, which I like to do. So, I had to say to her on set, ‘This is where the demons from the netherworld have come out. And they punch you in the jaw.’ And I’m thinking, she’s thinking, ‘That sounds lame.’ I say, ‘And then I see you fall back into this chaise lounge. And then a demon jumps upon you. And you catch it with your legs like a flying trapeze for a moment. And you launch it off!’”
It’s always interesting to hear what scenes didn’t make the cut for any film. However, when it comes to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – a controversial film plagued by production troubles, it becomes even more interesting that Sam Raimi decided to keep in. At the very least, the film served as a springboard for future collaborations between the director and Rachel McAdams.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now streaming on Disney Plus. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of Marvel Studios!
