Disney+ has officially launched Doctor Strange, Marvel’s latest theatrical smash, in the Multiverse of Madness. Dimension-hopping MCU epic features Dr. Stephen Strange and America Chavez, a teenage tagalong who travels between parallel universes and explores the Multiverse. They get lost on Earth-838 during their interdimensional adventure.
In Multiverse of Madness, Professor X was played by Sir Patrick Stewart. Stewart is best known for portraying the character in the X.Men movies made by 20th Century Fox. Marvel Studios now has the rights to these X-Men movies, which will allow a new X-Men team for the MCU. Marvel Studios is also working on an animated series. It will be a continuation of the original X-Men cartoon created in the 1990s. It’s called XMen ’97 and has a connection with Doctor Strange 2.
An X-Men’97 Easter Egg in Doctor Strange
During the scene in Doctor Strange: The Multiverse of Madnessin the Illuminati, members of Earth-838 are introduced. Patrick Stewart’s Professor Xavier was given his fanfare as he rolled up in his hoverchair. A rendition of the X_Men: The Animated Series theme can be heard when Charles appears onscreen. However, Disney+’s closed captions indicate that it is meant to be a little Easter egg.
As you can see, these captions indicate that the music played was supposed to be the theme of XMen ’97, which is a Marvel Studios-produced reboot/revival.
This is the first officially-recognized Easter Egg to the MCU’s first mutant-led project, which is set to release in mid-2023.
An Unusual Easter Egg
What does this all mean?
The closed captioning could indicate, or at the very least suggest, that Earth-838’s Charles Xavier is the same character as in the 90s series. However, this would be unlikely given that Professor X animated has an American accent and not Patrick Stewart’s distinctly British style of speaking.
It could be that Disney+ felt compelled by the hype surrounding the X Men ’97, which will only be available on the platform.
Why not simply say X_Men: The Animated Series theme Plays” instead of referring to a new project that isn’t available until 2023 and is not known by everyone? This is the minimum. We all know that “newer is always better,” as the sitcom How You Met Your Mother taught us. It makes no sense to promote a show that was 30 years old when a newer, more modern model is available.
Whatever the reason, you can view this Easter egg by opening the options pane and watching Marvel Studios Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This is, as mentioned previously, now streaming on Disney+.
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