Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Xochitl Gomez has revealed one big change in the movie which is not in the comics.
Gomez, who is set to play newcomer America Chavez in the highly-anticipated sequel, told Digital Spy that her character in the MCU is actually younger than she is in the comics.
"The amazing thing about America in the MCU is that she's 14, which is younger than any other version in the comics. So I think that Michael Waldron really had some freedom in introducing her in a new way," she explained.
Related: Has Doctor Strange 2 been worth the wait?
"For me, looking into the comics, she's younger and less experienced, so basically taking that confidence in her power and her ability and just developing it for this movie, which was fun. I enjoyed it."
America will enter the MCU from the Utopian Parallel, a new dimension unlike the multiverse fans are familiar with.
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In the movie, which will see Benedict Cumberbatch return as Stephen Strange, America has the power to open star-shaped holes in reality – and she's being hunted for it.
Related: Doctor Strange 2's Sam Raimi confirms major detail about new superhero
When asked what advice he gave the young actress about joining the franchise, MCU veteran Benedict Wong jokingly replied, "just run, run quicker. Stop being so out of breath, called her a lightweight at times..."
"Full credit to her, she was 14 when she joined us on a film of this magnitude. All you can do is be there, just to let her know that I'm here for her if anything she needs. You just watched her grow and grow into the role, which was fantastic," he continued.
Marvel executive Victoria Alonso recently commented on America Chavez's LGBTQ+ identity, confirming that the movie will keep this detail from the comics.
"It was important that we make the effort to have every kid in this world represented in our universe, and she represents both the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community," she said.
"[America] is a young Latina who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, and has great power. Children want to see themselves represented," she added.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is due to be released on May 5, 2022.
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Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
