Doctor Strange has traveled across multiple universes in his latest solo movie, and spent a great deal of time staying in reality on Earth-838. At first glance, this reality has a lot in common with Earth-616, the main MCU timeline. However, as time went on, the audience as well as Strange himself could gradually realize the very clear differences between those two universes, especially when the Illuminati secret society officially appeared on the big screen.
Here are the most important differences between Earth-838 and the main MCU timeline that we have become so familiar with over the past decade.
Inhuman
Although Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness does not detail the origins of the Illuminati members in Earth-838, it can be seen that Black Bolt (and the Inhumans in general) has quite a few differences compared to version in the MCU (appearing in the Inhumans sub-series). This superhero is still played by Anson Mount, but has a look much closer to the original comic book.
You may not know, the Inhumans series debuted in 2017 and has been confirmed as an official part of the MCU. However, the series was killed off after just one season, making the fates of the Inhumans more complicated and obscure in an ever-expanding cinematic universe. Fortunately, the concept of the multiverse in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has helped Marvel Studios somewhat settle the case of this mighty race and push them to another reality – Earth-838.
Mordo is Stephen Strange’s best friend
In the main MCU timeline, Mordo and Strange turned against each other at the end of Doctor Strange’s first solo movie. Once one of the most outstanding students of The Ancient One, Mordo now became Strange’s great enemy and even tried to kill him many times.
In Earth-838, things go in the exact opposite direction, and the relationship between these two occult masters is quite peaceful. Mordo was even friends, close brothers with Strange, and somewhat wary of his partner. Compared to Earth-616, Doctor Strange of this universe is somewhat bolder and possesses a much more profound knowledge of magic.
Thanos was defeated on Titan, the infinity snap never happened
Everyone knows the Avengers defeated Thanos twice in Endgame. However, before that, they had to pay with a bitter defeat, and at the same time witnessed half of the world’s population, including those closest to them, being “discolored” by the infinity snap. Even when they won, they suffered quite heavy losses, with the sacrifice of Vision, Black Widow and especially Iron Man.
In Earth-838, with the Illuminati present, Thanos was subdued right on the planet Titan (something Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy failed to do). His plot with the 6 infinity stones was also never completed. However, the price they have to pay is equally expensive compared to the Avengers in Earth-616: It is the death of Doctor Strange, who took advantage of the Darkhold magic book and caused an entire other reality to collapse. The Illuminati, though unwilling, were forced to kill Strange to prevent a similar disaster in the future.
The X-Men already existed in Earth-838
Another huge difference between Earth-838 and Earth-616 is the existence of the X-Men mutant group, led by Charles Xavier (Professor X), and still played by Patrick Stewart as in the previous series. by 20th Century Fox. This is also the first time a mutant has officially appeared in the MCU, after Disney completed the acquisition of Fox in 2019.
Currently, Marvel Studios’ plan for mutants in Earth-616 is still a mystery. In the list of MCU’s phase 4 and 5 series, we still haven’t seen any names related to this superhero series. Even Deadpool 3, the movie that has been “green lighted” by Marvel, has not yet been able to set a production schedule and release time.
Wanda is cozy next to her 2 children
This is perhaps one of the most important differences to the script of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and is the main purpose of Scarlet Witch in Earth-616. In Earth-838, Wanda became a true “milk mom” and lived a happy life with her two children, Billy and Tommy.
Interestingly, Vision does not appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm whether this android guy is the father of 2 children or not. Also, since Ultron in the Earth-838 universe is not rebellious, and even submits to the Illuminati, the possibility that Vision doesn’t exist at all cannot be ruled out.
Peggy Carter, not Steve Rogers, was the first Avenger
Similar to the first episode of the animated series What If…?, Peggy Carter, not Steve Rogers, was the one who was injected with the super soldier serum and became the first Avenger with the nickname Captain Carter. This also indirectly confirms that the Avengers still exist in Earth-838, but it is unclear if they are still active.
In What If…?, Captain Carter doesn’t have to go through the “hibernation” process for 70 years like Steve Rogers. Instead, after repelling the space monster that HYDRA released, she time-traveled to the future and resumed her superhero role alongside the other Avengers. However, it’s unclear if Earth-838’s version of Captain Carter experienced a similar event, or if she was also frozen for a long time like Earth-616’s Steve Rogers.
Fantastic Four has been around for a long time
With Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse brought the Fantastic Four to the MCU for the first time through the Earth-838 universe. In addition, according to Mordo’s introduction, Reed is known as “the smartest man in the world”, and has worked with the Illuminati and other superheroes for a long time.
Marvel Studios has confirmed it will produce the Fantastic Four movie blockbuster more than a year ago, right after the filming of Spider-Man: No Way Home was completed. Since the superhero incarnations in the Marvel multiverse are similar in appearance, it is likely that actor John Krasinski will still return as Mr. Fantastic of Earth-616.
Maria Rambeau, not Carol Danvers, becomes Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel, regardless of the universe, is still a powerful superhero with many cosmic-sized superpowers. However, in Earth-838, it is Maria Rambeau, not Carol Danvers, who holds the title. The skill set that Captain Marvel uses in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has many similarities with the version of Earth-616. That indirectly suggests that perhaps the source of her power is also not much different from the main MCU timeline. The most logical explanation at this point is that Maria was the one to perform the death mission instead of Carol, and eventually became radioactive from the Tesseract energy.
Plan Ultron goes well
Not only successfully stopping the plot of Thanos, the Illuminati in Earth-838 did not even have a problem with the Ultron project, turning this AI into a perfect defense system and absolutely loyal to humanity. This difference probably comes from Reed Richards, the smartest man in the world, the leader of the Fantastic Four. Reed’s intelligence may have helped the Illuminati calculate more carefully and accurately, thereby controlling the risks in the Ultron project and preventing this AI from turning into a terrifying villain like in Earth-616.
According to ScreenRant