In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Madness, a Marvel Studios producer confirms what fans already knew: Stephen Strange is not in a relationship with Christine Palmer. In the 2016 film, Rachel McAdams makes her MCU debut as Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) former fiancée and coworker, continuing to assist him even after his injury and venture into the world of mystic arts. Doctor Strange also mentioned the multiverse, which appears in Phase Four films like Loki, What If…?, Spider-Man: No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness.
Cumberbatch, McAdams, Benedict Wong, and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all set to reprise their roles from the first film in Sam Raimi’s Multiverse of Madness. Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, and Xochitl Gomez, who plays America Chavez for the first time, will be joining them. The sequel will start off where WandaVision, Loki, and No Way Home left off, with Strange attempting to reclaim the power of the Time Stone after its devastation in Avengers: Endgame, with a story penned by Loki creator Michael Waldron. Earlier this month, the official trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was unveiled, revealing a variety of versions and parallel realities. Furthermore, the teaser showed Christine wearing a wedding gown and marrying someone other than Strange.
Multiverse of Madness producer Richie Palmer said in the Spring 2022 issue of Disney’s D23 Magazine (via The Direct) that while McAdams’ Christine has moved on, Strange still has regrets. Following No Way Home, Richie stated that Strange and Wong are “the principal guards of our reality… especially when it comes to any Multiversal or magical dangers,” and that the future film will feature “[Strange] coping with the decisions he’s made.” Here’s the rest of the quote:
“[Strange and Christine] are not back together, unfortunately… as we saw at the end of Doctor Strange, he chose to stay in the Sanctum, meaning he cant entertain his selfish desires. He would’ve loved to stay with Christine at the end of that movie, but he did the hard thing. He said, ‘No. I’m going to be a superhero and defend our reality. I have to move on. Our movie shows him dealing with the decisions he’s made. He might regret how things ended with Christine; he still carries a torch for her.”
From assisting the Avengers battle Thanos and being converted to dust in Avengers: Infinity War to getting blipped in Endgame and accidentally splitting up the cosmos in No Way Home, Strange has been quite active since the events of his debut film. He hasn’t had a lot of time to think about his romantic life. What If…?, a Disney+ animated series, did a great job of reminding viewers of his love for Christine. Strange is not single in this alternate dimension, and instead of losing his hands in that fatal event, he loses Christine. Strange is driven insane while searching for the power to erase her death and unwittingly ruins his universe. Strange Supreme, however, lives and plays a crucial part in the first season of What If…? Multiple Strange variations, including (possibly) Strange Supreme, are slated to emerge in Multiverse of Madness.
McAdams’ character can be seen in the teaser with Strange and America Chavez, outside of her wedding, which might take place in another dimension. In the comics, the latter persona appears to be able to open portals to other realms at will. Christine, who is traveling with the two, is most likely a reincarnation of the character who first appeared in 2016. Christine is dressed in an attire that resembles that of Marvel Comics’ Night Nurse, a nurse who provides medical assistance to vigilantes. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which reaches theaters on May 6, 2022, will undoubtedly explore other versions of Strange and Christine’s existence.
