Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is just over a week away, and Marvel Studios is really starting to tip its hand. In the newest promo, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange is a prisoner who is stripped of his cloak and magical objects. Then, a version of his former friend, Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), tells Strange the words that comic book fans have been waiting to hear: “The Illuminati will see you now.” Summons Doctor Strange.
The scene in question takes place around the 18 second mark in the video below. However, we don’t actually get to see the Illuminati at this time. After all, Marvel has to save something for the movie.
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So, who are the Illuminati? While the name comes from a long-running conspiracy theory, Marvel’s Illuminati are Professor Charles Xavier, Prince Namor, Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards, Iron Man/Tony Stark, Black Bolt of the Inhumans, and Stephen Strange himself. They were a group of heroes who took it upon themselves to prematurely end threats and manipulate events in the name of protecting the Earth.
Empire accidentally spoiled the Illuminati’s presence last month, but it wasn’t a secret if you’ve been paying attention. The Super Bowl trailer for In the Multiverse of Madness featured Patrick Stewart’s voice, which seemingly confirmed his return as Xavier. The lineup seen above will likely be tweaked in the film, especially since Black Bolt and the Inhumans have been largely ignored since the ill-fated Inhumans TV series. Namor is also heavily rumored to make his MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but that remains unconfirmed for now.
We’ll learn who is in the MCU’s Illuminati when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on Friday, May 6.
Are you eager to see the Illuminati in the MCU? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Doctor Strange Vol. 1: The Way of the Weird
