The following article contains major spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in theaters now.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness screenwriter Michael Waldron says the 1986 sci-fi classic Aliens directly inspired the Marvel Studios film's most brutal sequence.
Multiverse of Madness introduces the Illuminati, a superhero supergroup, if you will, hailing from Earth-838. The Illuminati consists of Charles Xavier/Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Peggy Carter/Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Blackagar Boltagon/Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Maria Rambeau/Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (John Krasinski) and Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). While the group is introduced with much pomp, all of its members (save for Mordo) soon meet gruesome deaths at the hands of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).
"I was watching Aliens a lot as I was writing," Waldron explained during an interview with Rolling Stone. "Because just tonally this movie is a thriller and a [feature-length] chase. I just love how Aliens goes to great lengths to tell you how badass the space Marines are -- and then they just get slaughtered.
"Then you are really scared of the Xenomorphs for the rest of that movie, and that's what I wanted to accomplish with Wanda," the screenwriter continued. "At the end of that Illuminati sequence. I hope you were truly terrified of the Scarlet Witch. It's been awesome being in the theater hearing the cheers, then the gasps and the groans," he laughed. "I mean, you know, people were feeling something at the movies. That's good!"
Written and directed by James Cameron, Aliens released in theaters in 1986. The film serves as a sequel to director Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien. However, whereas Scott's Alien was an out-and-out horror film, Cameron's Aliens took a more action-oriented approach. Aliens was itself followed up by Alien 3 in 1992 and Alien Resurrection in 1997. Two prequel films, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, released in 2012 and 2017, respectively. A new, standalone Alien film directed by Fede Álvarez and produced by Scott is currently in the works for Hulu. Meanwhile, Noah Hawley is currently developing an Alien television series for the FX on Hulu lineup.
Multiverse of Madness marks Waldron's second Marvel Studios project. He previously served as head writer on the first season of the Disney+ original series Loki. His other writing credits include Rick and Morty and Heels. Waldron recently confirmed that Eric Martin would take over as head writer on Loki Season 2.
Check out Wanda Maximoff's Xenomorph vibes for yourself in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in theaters now.
Source: Rolling Stone