Doctor Strange 2 merchandise might have just spoiled the new Marvel movie's villain

Doctor Strange
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

One of the villains in Doctor Strange 2 – full title Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – might have just been revealed, thanks to a Marvel puzzle.

Australian retailer Booktopia is now selling what appears to be an official 1000-piece puzzle depicting Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sorcerer Supreme doing battle with a villain that might be familiar to fans of Marvel’s comics.

One eye? Green tentacles? A general Lovecraftian vibe? That sure looks like Shuma-Gorath, a supernatural demon who rules over countless realities and has locked horns – and tentacles – with Doctor Strange in the past. If he does turn up in the Sam Raimi-directed sequel, he’s likely going to be one of the most powerful entities to ever appear in the MCU. Where’s Wanda when you need her?

Curiously enough, recent Disney Plus series What If…? also featured a semi-unseen villain in its premiere that some fans thought looked just like Shuma-Gorath, so the seeds might have already been sown in that regard.

If the omnipotent being appears, there’s every reason to believe Benedict Cumberbatch’s recent tongue-in-cheek soundbite. When Tom Holland asserted that Spider-Man: No Way Home was the most ambitious standalone superhero movie ever made, Cumberbatch replied on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast: "Only until Doctor Strange 2 comes out."

We’ll have to wait a little longer to find out if that’s the case. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been delayed from March 25, 2022 until May 6, 2022. Thor: Love and Thunder has shifted to July 8, 2022, while Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has leapt to November 11, 2022.

Want to find out what else is just over the horizon in the MCU? Here’s our complete guide to Marvel Phase 4.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Benedict Cumberbatch has just outlined Doctor Strange's Marvel future – including his absence from the next Avengers movie: "Is that a spoiler? F**k it"
Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Benedict Cumberbatch backtracks on previous Marvel comments, says he's actually in Avengers: Doomsday after all: "Don't ever believe anything I say"
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Avengers: Doomsday concept art reportedly "leaks" to reveal major returning MCU characters
Robert Downey Jr. during the Doctor Doom announcement at Marvel's SDCC 2024 panel
Marvel fans are debating whether the MCU's new big bad Doctor Doom should be introduced in other projects before Avengers: Doomsday
Spider-Man: No Way Home
This is why fans think Spider-Man will become the MCU's most important character after Avengers: Doomsday
MTG Marvel's Spider-Man set art of Spider-Man swinging in frame, surrounded by MTG Marvel's Spider-Man products
The first MTG Spider-Man previews have landed, and you can pre-order the set right now
Latest in Superhero Movies
The Toxic Avenger
Here's your first look at Peter Dinklage as the Toxic Avenger in ultra-violent, unrated, and long-delayed superhero movie remake
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things 4
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink joins Spider-Man 4 and fans are already theorizing she might be X-Men’s Jean Grey
The cast of Thunderbolts
Marvel fans are revealing who they'd like to see added to the Thunderbolts lineup, from Moon Knight to a major Hulk villain
Batman and Catwoman talking
Robert Pattinson is hoping to team up with his The Batman co-star Zoe Kravitz on another project soon
The cast of Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts director says the new Marvel movie is inspired by Toy Story 3: "Can they get out of the trash can together?"
Robert Downey Jr announces his Doctor Doom casting at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
"He is so dialed in": Robert Downey Jr. is coming up with backstory and costume ideas for Doctor Doom ahead of Avengers: Doomsday
Latest in News
Nintendo Switch 2, dock and TV
Report: Nintendo analysts expect Switch 2 to cost at least $400, have a great launch lineup with new 3D Mario and Metroid Prime 4, and be the biggest console launch in history
Silent Hill f
Famed Higurashi When They Cry creator Ryukishi07 says he worked so hard on the Silent Hill f story that "I don't think I would mind if it was the last thing I ever wrote"
Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors devs launch official wiki "free of ads, banners, and all of the junk that gets in your way," joining Stardew Valley and Terraria in community wikis with minimal intrusions
Gachiakuta season 1 promo art featuring Rudo
The anime for stylish action manga Gachiakuta will be a Crunchyroll exclusive, and the hit series could be the next big shonen star
WalkScape
"Staying MTX and advertisement free is absolutely key": Almost 20 years later, RuneScape fan turns his MMO love into an old-school RPG where fitness is the grind
Death Stranding 2 Collector's Edition Magellan Man
Hideo Kojima says Death Stranding 2's Collector's Edition 15-inch Magellan Man is part of his studio's "spirit and soul," so the crew went to China to make sure it's good enough