Doctor Strange 2’s Benedict Wong Renames MCU Phase 4 After Wong

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Benedict Wong renames the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 after his character. Wong has been part of the MCU since his introduction in 2016’s blockbuster, Doctor Strange. Although not a leading man of any of the films, his wizard character — coincidentally also named Wong — has made consistent appearances in the franchise, most recently in the latest MCU smash hit, Spider-Man: No Way Home.

First appearing as the librarian of the hidden temple and sorcerer training grounds of Kamer-Taj in Doctor Strange, Wong quickly became a fan favorite. He later served with Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange as guardians of the New York Sanctum and fought with the Avengers against Thanos during Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame. One of Wong’s most important appearances occurred in Spider-Man: No Way Home, where it was confirmed that Wong is the current Sorcerer Supreme instead of Doctor Strange. The Spider-Man cameo was Wong’s fifth appearance in a main MCU franchise film.

During promotion for his upcoming film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, SlashFilm reports that Benedict Wong jokingly changed the name of the MCU’s Phase 4. The new film will mark Wong’s sixth time returning to the cinematic universe as the sorcerer. When asked about his recent appearances in the MCU, as well as the relationship between Wong and Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, the actor humorously refocused the current phase on his character. Read what he said below:

“I call it Phase Wong. It’s a nice, interesting shift. Wong has taken on a new role, and that dynamic changes between them [Wong and Strange] both.”

In the highly anticipated sequel to Doctor Strange, Wong re-teams with the titular character to battle dark forces threatening the universe. After Doctor Strange accidentally opened a rift in the multiverse by carelessly casting a spell to assist Peter Parker (Tom Holland) in a time of need, Wong as the Sorcerer Supreme must enlist the help of Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) to keep the universe together. Recent trailers of the upcoming film also show the return of Rachel McAdams as Doctor Strange’s previous love interest Christine Palmer as well as introducing a new hero to the MCU, the young America Chavez played by Xochitl Gomez. Arguably the trailer’s biggest reveal was the inclusion of Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, who previously portrayed the X-Men leader Professor X. This would possibly bridge the gap between Disney and Fox’s Marvel films as Spider-Man: No Way Home had done with Sony’s previous Spider-Man franchises.

Benedict Wong calling the current phase of the MCU “Phase Wong” is funny but also apt as he has been the familiar face that has bound the latest theatrical releases together. Wong served as the only sensible mind in Spider-Man: No Way Home by warning Doctor Strange of casting spells irresponsibly. He also briefly appeared in a mid-credits scene in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings where Wong opens a portal in a swanky San Francisco bar and whisks Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and his friend Katy Chen (Awkwafina) to Kamar-taj to discuss the origin of the ancient Ten Rings with Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Wong’s brief appearances in that film were the only moments in the story that included elements of the wider cinematic universe. His small yet important character has been crucial in ushering in the upcoming stories and characters of the next phase of the MCU. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness will hit theaters this May.

Source: SlashFilm

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