Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has a short runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes, especially when you consider all the cameos that are in the movie. However, director Sam Raimi has revealed that Doctor Strange 2 was originally planned to be far, far longer.
We can only imagine what was cut from the second Doctor Strange movie, with a lot of us drooling over the possible cameos. Then again, they could have just been some needless exposition or redundant character moments that made the film feel bloated.
Sam Raimi discuses Doctor Strange deleted scenes
In an interview with Collider, Sam Raimi explained that Doctor Strange 2 kept getting shorter as edits went on. Even with reshoots going on, they didn’t make the film longer. The director even says that some of these reshoots replaced scenes he originally shot, keeping this movie at its shorter length.
“Well, the first cut was I actually don't remember the length of it. It was probably like two hours and 40 minutes, and it slowly came down even though we did the reshoots. We took out material even though the reshoots went in. So, it slowly got down to about two hours and five minutes is the total.”
Sam Raimi via Collider
Raimi explained that the movie's original length rivaled some of the longest Marvel movies at 2 hours and 40 minutes. In comparison, the longest MCU movie clocks in at just over 3 hours — Avengers: Endgame. (Of course, the longest DC movie is Zack Snyder’s Justice League at almost four hours.)
Unfortunately, Raimi doesn’t detail any of the scenes that got cut from Doctor Strange 2. He should save some surprises for the inevitable Blu-Ray and digital release but those sales will spike if we know about a possible Strange-on-Strange sex scene. Just saying Sam, you’re leaving money on the table.
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When can we see Doctor Strange 2 deleted scenes?
Raimi admits that it's up to Marvel to decide what deleted scenes are coming out. In the same interview, he says Marvel is planning to include at least two or three deleted scenes in the home release of Doctor Strange 2 but he doesn’t know the full extent of them. Hopefully, we get that Strange-on-Strange kiss.
“I'm trying to remember what Marvel is including in the deleted scenes. It's really going to be their decision, but I know that there are at least two or three deleted scenes that will be included. I don't know the full extent of them though.”
Sam Raimi via Collider
Previously deleted scenes often expand on scenes that might be lacking in the final release so we doubt there will be hidden cameos in the home release of Doctor Strange 2. Then again, Marvel can sell a ton of copies with the promise of a secret cameo, even if it ends up being Colin Farrel’s Bullseye from the 2003 Daredevil movie.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is coming to theaters on May 6. No release date for the home release was announced but expect it within a few months after the movie's theatrical run.
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