Elizabeth Olsen says Doctor Strange sequel halts filming due to COVID surge

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Even though film and television production is allowed to continue in the U.K. despite their recent COVID-19 surge and third lockdown, Elizabeth Olssen has confirmed that shooting on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has temporarily been halted as the pandemic continues to escalate in the area. 

Olsen, who was a virtual guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night promoting the new Marvel Disney+ series WandaVision, revealed the news during her chat with the late-night host. Olsen said "Since the hospitals are overwhelmed here, we can't go back to work until that calms down. I'm just safely hanging out here, and just really grateful I get to be working. Disney has kept me busy during quarantine!"

Despite the halt in production, the Sam Raimi-directed sequel actually started filming sooner than expected so it doesn't look like the pause will result in another delay of its release. Since this is a Disney related project, I wouldn't be surprised if the live-action Little Mermaid, which is also shooting in the U.K., paused their production as well. 

This has not been the case for every production filming in the U.K., however. The Batman, which is close to wrapping principal photography, is expected to continue running cameras over in the area and the same goes for Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible 7. The decision to keep productions going has been a polarizing one and the U.K. is being allowed to run film and TV work because they have safety protocols in place and it's deemed essential work. The work is also deemed essential in Southern California but the area has decided to take a pause until at least mid-January due to a surge of COVID-19 and an overwhelmed hospital system.

Do YOU think it was right to halt production on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness while other U.K. productions remain up and running?