Xochitl Gomez Shares How Her Father Helped Her Prepare for ‘Doctor Strange’ 2

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness delivered impressive opening-weekend numbers, grossing $185 million domestically and $450 million globally. Benedict Cumberbatch leads Marvel’s latest blockbuster as Dr. Stephen Strange but the sequel wouldn’t be what it is without his supporting cast, including Benedict Wong and Xochitl Gomez. The actor plays Wong, the Sorcerer Supreme of Earth-616, who is also Strange’s mentor and part of his team. Gomez plays a Mexican-American teenager named America Chavez, who has the ability to travel between dimensions in the multiverse and is running away from ​​Wanda Maximoff who is attempting to steal her power. Gomez was just 14 years old when she landed this role, and she is already learning what it means to be representing various marginalized communities through this character. America has a few lines in Spanish in the opening scene for Multiverse of Madness, and Gomez tells Complex that meant a lot to her father who doesn’t speak English, and was the one who helped her perfect those lines.

The addition of America’s storyline, specifically the part that she has two moms and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself, caused some pushback for the film. Certain regions asked Disney to remove the scene where viewers meet her parents. The studio refused to do so and the film was banned in countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, and Oman. Cumberbatch told Complex how disappointing that was but how proud he is of adding this character to the film, regardless of the opposition. And those who have seen the film may agree that America added a new and much-needed layer to this film and is a great addition into the MCU. We caught up with Wong and Gomez ahead of the movie’s release for a brief chat about how they prepared for their intense action scenes, representing their communities and diversity in the MCU.

What about you, Benedict?

Benedict Wong: I did some training whilst I was in Australia, this thing that is called Functional Patterns with Shannon Hegarty. I trained with him, and did some kind of sword work. It was quite grueling, at times it was very, very painful. But I’m very pleased with the action shots.

XG: Yeah. It looks so good. You looked so cool.

XG: Yeah. It is kind of crazy how many people feel represented by America being on the screen. I’m just so happy that Marvel chose to have America in the MCU, and especially where she has such an important place in this movie. I feel so proud, honestly. I’m happy that they’re also doing Moon Knight and Echo and Ms. Marvel, I mean they’re really growing. I’m very proud of them.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now in theaters.