A Marvel cameo legend teases an MCU future way beyond expectations

Bruce Campbell’s playful hints about his character Pizza Poppa in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have Marvel fans speculating that he might be stepping into a larger role in the MCU. Known for his long history with director Sam Raimi, Campbell isn’t new to the Marvel universe; he previously cameoed in Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, each time as a different character, delighting fans with his humor and wit. So, when he appeared in Multiverse of Madness as Pizza Poppa, the feisty street vendor with a memorable (and enchanted) run-in with Doctor Strange, it seemed like a fun nod to Raimi and Campbell’s decades-long friendship.

In Multiverse of Madness, Pizza Poppa is enchanted by Doctor Strange to repeatedly punch himself, all over an unpaid pizza that America Chavez steals. At first glance, the character seemed like a one-off cameo, included as a fun Easter egg for Raimi and Campbell fans. But in a recent Variety interview, Campbell hinted there might be more to Pizza Poppa. “I play the Pizza Poppa,” he teased, “but ask yourself, ‘Really? In the Marvel timeline, I’m just the Pizza Poppa?’” Adding fuel to the fire, Campbell mentioned his contract for the role, joking that a “contract that thick” would hardly be necessary for a one-off appearance.

Naturally, Campbell’s comments sparked theories. Marvel’s multiverse is rich with possibilities, and some fans imagine Pizza Poppa could be an avatar of someone much more powerful, like the cosmic Beyonder or even the infamous villain Mephisto. With rumors swirling that Dormammu may return in Doctor Strange 3, others speculate Pizza Poppa could be an agent of this interdimensional threat. Alternatively, Campbell’s horror background makes him a prime candidate for Marvel Zombies, where his Deadite-slaying experience from Evil Dead could fit right in.

Campbell is famously known for his mischief, so there’s a good chance he’s just having fun with MCU fans. But with rumors that Raimi could return to direct Doctor Strange 3, it’s possible that Campbell’s Pizza Poppa may get a chance to settle the score with Doctor Strange—or even reveal a far more sinister side. For now, it’s all in good fun, but in the multiverse, even a pizza vendor might be more than he seems.