A major clue to where the Marvel Cinematic Universe is headed came in a speech Marvel boss Kevin Feige gave in tribute to actor Benedict Cumberbatch's Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony on February 28. The event was live streamed by Variety.

　　"I remember our very first meeting was set up as a general, and we wanted to pitch him this great character, and before we could, he said, 'So tell me about Doctor Strange,' because you knew," said Feige. "You knew what this could be and you've always seen the tremendous potential in this character. Because of that, you've become the anchor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the only actor capable of guiding us through the madness of the multiverse."

　　Until very recently, the MCU arguably revolved around Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man--something that necessarily had to change as the actor has announced he's done playing that role. As the recent Doctor Strange 2 trailer makes clear, the MCU has major plans for Cumberbatch's character that looks to take the character to some intriguing new and disastrous places. The trailer depicts the multiverse unraveling as a result of Strange's spell going awry back in Spider-Man: No Way Home--Strange doesn't remember Peter Parker, and the effects of the spell and its subsequent reversal are obviously not as simple. Check out the trailer above.

　　Feige also added that, "Benedict has turned this character into an icon, appearing in a historic three of the top six films of all time [Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Spider-Man: No Way Home]. It's been quite a journey."

　　Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6.

　　Doctor Strange Super Bowl Trailer Breakdown And Easter Eggs: Professor X, Superior Iron Man, And More

　　See More

　　David Wolinsky on Google+