Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness post-credits explained: Who is Clea?

For more on the ending of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, you can read all about that, but below we’ve broken down some of the less clear parts of these after-credits scenes, but be warned – we’ll be dealing in spoiler territory, so look away now if you haven’t had a chance to see the film before reading this.

**Spoiler warning for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness**

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness post-credits scene 1

First, a little background. After defeating the threat to the multiverse, the film ends with Doctor Strange insisting to Wong (Benedict Wong) that he hasn’t been affected by the dark magic of the Darkhold. But moments later, as he walks down the street he collapses to his knees in pain, screaming as a third eye (similar to one used by his “dark” alternate self in another universe) opens on his forehead.

Exactly what this "third eye" represents is unclear. Generally speaking, the term "third eye" is often used to describe an ability to witness magic or see the future more generally, so it could be that this new feature will enhance Strange's abilities.

Anyway, it's quite the cliffhanger, right? Well, no – because the first post-credits scene shows what happens next, more or less. Jumping forward in time, the scene follows Strange out for another walk with a fetching scarf on, only to find himself confronted by a purple-costumed woman who appears from another dimension.

Her name is Clea, she’s played by Charlize Theron and she has a bone to pick with Strange.

“You caused an incursion, and we’re gonna fix it,” she tells him. This calls back to a threat mentioned in the main body of the film, where multiversal travel is noted to risk “incursions” where two universes collide and one is destroyed.

We saw the effects of this in Dark/Sinister Strange’s world, and the Illuminati feared the MCU Strange’s travels could cause something similar. Now, it seems that he did – and Clea wants him to clean it up.

“Unless you’re afraid,” she adds. By reply, Strange turns his scarf into his trademark Cloak of Levitation and opens his newly-acquired third eye.

“Not in the least,” he tells her as they head on this new adventure.

Who is Clea in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?

Clea is a sorceress from Marvel Comics and is portrayed here by Charlize Theron.

In the comics, Clea is a regular ally and sometimes love interest for Doctor Strange, so it makes sense that they’d finally include her in one of the films.

An elemental being who is (oddly) the niece of the first Doctor Strange’s Dormammu, Clea is more than a match for Strange, and nabbing Theron to play her is a canny move on Marvel’s part.

When we’ll see her again is less clear, but if there is another Doctor Strange sequel we wouldn’t be surprised to see her pop up again.

Following the release of the film, Theron tweeted an image of herself in a purple - Clea's trademark colour - and teased her role.

Theron tweeted: "Cat's out of the bag."

The actress went on to share further imagery of herself as Clea on Instagram.

Screenwriter Michael Waldron discussed Clea's inclusion with Marvel.com, noting: "We were really excited to introduce Clea.

"Getting Charlize Theron to play that character, holy crap! In the comics, Clea is Doctor Strange’s great love so to speak.

"The alternate Christine Palmer, as she says goodbye to our Doctor Strange, tells him to face his fears, to be willing to love someone else and to face that fear connecting with someone else."

He added that this felt like the "perfect time" to introduce the major Doctor Strange character to the MCU.

So, we can definitely expect to see Theron back as Clea sometime soon.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness post-credits scene 2

Wait right up until the end of the full credits, and there’s something else for fans to enjoy. Earlier in the film, while visiting the ‘Illuminati' universe (838), Strange got into a tussle with a street vendor called ‘Pizza Poppa', played by longtime Sam Raimi collaborator Bruce Campbell. This altercation led to Strange casting a spell forcing Pizza Poppa to beat himself up, which he noted would last quite a while.

And in the second post-credits scene we catch up with Pizza Poppa, still slapping and assaulting himself as his cart of ‘pizza balls’ (which our universe should really get onto, stat) boils over behind him.

Finally, suddenly, the spell lifts – and in a very meta moment, Campbell looks right down the camera lens as he laughs and shouts: “It’s over!”

Raimi is known for casting Evil Dead star Campbell in his movies (for example, he’s in all three of the original Spider-Man films in different roles), so his appearance here ties Multiverse of Madness into the director’s wider oeuvre. It’s short and sweet, but a fun way to close off the film.

And who knows? This might be a stretch, but perhaps the inclusion of the pizza balls is a reference to the infamous ‘Pizza Time’ memes that sprang up around Spider-Man 2. It still wouldn't be the most obscure callback in the MCU.

• Read More: Doctor Strange 2 will get same reaction as Spider-Man: No Way Home, says star
• Read More: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a “progression” of WandaVision
• Read More: Biggest cameos in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
• Read More: Doctor Strange 2 includes a clever cartoon Easter Egg
• Read More: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ending explained

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is out now in UK cinemas, while you can sign up for Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 a year. For more, check out our dedicated Fantasy page or our full TV Guide.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.