Marvel Studios altered a poster for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that was released in Italy, as it featured a hand gesture considered by many in the country to be offensive.
Shared on Reddit, a poster for the upcoming film showed Benedict Cumberbatch’s Master of the Mystic Arts flashing a hand gesture known by some as the symbol for rock and roll. However, for others, it is known as “the horns,” which can have several different meanings depending on the country or region. In Italy and other Mediterranean countries, the gesture, with fingers angled downwards and not directed at another person, is used to ward off bad luck or “the evil eye.”
However, when pointed upward (as it is in the poster), or aggressively at another person, it is considered an offensive way to call someone a “cuckold.” Marvel Studios has edited the Italian poster so that Doctor Strange is giving a peace sign instead.
Multiverse of Madness wrapped extensive reshoots in January 2021 with the additional material helmed by director Sam Raimi and Loki writer Michael Waldron. Raimi took over directorial duties from Scott Derrickson, who directed the first film and departed the sequel over creative differences. Following the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, it was reported that Multiverse of Madness would have “more fun with the multiverse,” with reshoots for the film including even more cameos and character introductions than originally intended.
Cumberbatch has commented on the scale of the production, stating that he was not entirely sure if the sequel was really “his” movie. “There’s a lot of stuff going on in it,” he said. “It’s like, do I have a character arc in this? Is it working? No, there’s great stuff for me to do. It’s very busy. It’s called The Multiverse of Madness, and it’s bonkers.”
The first trailer for Multiverse of Madness teased everything that Phase 4 of the MCU has been headed towards, depicting not only a possible team-up between Doctor Strange, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and Wong, but the MCU debut of America Chavez/Miss America (Xochitl Gomez). Multiverse of Madness will not only pick up after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home but will tie directly into two of Marvel’s Disney+ series, WandaVision and Loki, both of which dealt heavily with the multiverse.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres in theaters on May 6, 2022.
Source: Reddit