Multiverse Of Madness: 10 Potential Members Of The MCU’s Illuminati

The second trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has officially dropped, giving audiences their best look yet at what is sure to be a wild ride of a movie. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong, the film is scheduled to release on May 6th.

One of the most exciting reveals of the new trailer was what seems to be the headquarters for some kind of multiversal Illuminati, which will detain Strange at some point in the film. Six chairs sit in the main chamber, though only one member has been revealed as of yet, leaving viewers to speculate as to what characters could comprise this council.

Captain Marvel Variant

The second trailer for Multiverse of Madness surprised many viewers by showing an unidentified powered-up being battling with the Scarlet Witch. While many took this figure to be an Iron Man variant, closer inspection reveals a power set more similar to that of Captain Marvel.

While it is unlikely that Carol Danvers will be making an appearance in the film, this could actually be a variant of Monica Rambeau, who, in her universe, was the one to become Captain Marvel, keeping in line with the comic book origin of the character. Also, if this Monica variant happens to be a member of the multiversal Illuminati, it could tie into the trailer’s sequences which seem to depict the Scarlet Witch attacking their council chamber.

Black Bolt

Black Bolt is the leader of the Inhuman colony on the moon, who is sworn to silence, as any noise produced from his mouth would emit enough power to level a city. The character is an essential member of Marvel’s Illuminati in the comics, representing the entire Inhuman race with his involvement.

Introducing Black Bolt as a member of the Illuminati would give Marvel a second chance at adapting the Inhumans after the unprecedented failure of the short-lived ABC series that first introduced Black Bolt and his compatriots to the MCU. Should the Inhuman king appear in Multiverse of Madness, however, it is highly likely that it will be a rebooted version of the character, rather than Anson Mount’s portrayal.

Kang

One character whose presence seems inevitable in Multiverse of Madness is Kang the Conqueror. Loki revealed that Kang and his variants have preceded over the flow of time itself for eons, serving as an Illuminati of their own, using the Time Variance Authority as their enforcers to preserve the “Sacred Timeline.”

Played by Jonathan Majors, the supervillain is primed to be the next Big Bad of the MCU, with his plotting proving palpable enough to add to the sufferings of even Loki Laufeyson himself. Kang is unlikely to sit out an event as huge as the colliding of the multiverse, and perhaps will take part in the Illuminati. More likely, however, is that Kang was a former member of the organization, before being removed from its council for his nefarious goals.

Baron Mordo

Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo played a major role in the latest trailer for the upcoming film and was shown to be present for the scene in which Doctor Strange is brought before the Illuminati. As such, it is more than likely that he serves as a member of the clandestine group, perhaps as the replacement for the recently deceased Ancient One.

If Mordo, or a variant thereof, is indeed one of the six members of the Illuminati, this would spell certain doom for Stephen Strange when he is brought before them in the film. Strange’s former friend has promised that the Sorcerer Supreme will pay for his crimes against reality, and now would have the power to bring such a promise about, lending to the theory that Mordo may be the ultimate villain of Multiverse of Madness.

Black Panther Variant

Black Panther has often been included in comic book storylines involving the Illuminati. Historically, he was offered a position on the original lineup as the representative of Wakanda, but turned it down, fearing that the power the council held would be too much for them to handle. In later years, he has served as an interim member of the group when other members were unavailable.

Given the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 and the studio’s promise not to digitally recreate the actor’s likeness in live-action, it is impossible for the T’Challa whom the audience is familiar with to appear as a member of the Illuminati. More likely, however, is an alternate reality version of the character to appear, perhaps one played by Killmonger actor Michael B. Jordan.

Captain Carter

Captain Carter was a standout among the newly introduced characters in What If…?, with some fans even going so far as to suggest that she is an even better Captain America than Steve Rogers himself. As such, the alternate reality hero could very well prove to be a member of the multiversal Illuminati.

Marvel Studios has heavily implied that the character will make her live-action debut in Multiverse of Madness, with her shield even appearing in the official poster. With Captain Carter already very familiar with the multiverse, it is highly likely that she would either be a member of or have even founded a governing body to keep alternate realities from colliding, creating chaos throughout the universe.

Mister Fantastic

Mister Fantastic, thought to be the best and brightest mind on the planet, is a founding member of the comic book Illuminati, and an essential voice in their various debates. He often lends a foreboding sense of realism to the matters they discuss, which often leads to several controversial decisions.

After years in 20th Century Fox’s hands, Mister Fantastic and the other members of the Fantastic Four are officially en route to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a rebooted franchise set to premiere in the next few years. The Illuminati might be the perfect place to introduce Mister Fantastic to the MCU for the first time, either as a variant version or as the character that audiences will continue to see moving forward.

Superior Iron Man

Iron Man has always been an essential member of Marvel’s Illuminati, representing the common people of Earth with his presence. However, with the MCU’s Tony Stark dead, some have suggested that this new version of the Illuminati could include the Superior Iron Man, the alternate reality villainous version of the normally heroic character.

Many fans were quick to note the presence of several Ultron drones escorting Doctor Strange into the Illuminati’s headquarters, suggesting that Ultron’s original creator might be involved in the organization somehow. There has also been speculation that this Stark variant could be played by Tom Cruise, though he is just one of many hotly rumored multiversal cameos in Multiverse of Madness.

Doctor Strange Variant

One likely candidate for a member of the MCU’s Illuminati is Doctor Strange himself. The film has already presented at least three different versions of the Sorcerer Supreme in Multiverse of Madness: the MCU’s Strange, Defender Strange, and the as-yet-unnamed dark version of Strange. It is more than likely that at least one of these characters will have a seat on the council.

Doctor Strange has always been a pivotal member of the Illuminati in the comics, representing the sorcerers of Earth. Given that the MCU’s Strange seems to be Earth-199999’s first ambassador to the Illuminati, it wouldn’t be all too surprising if he takes a seat on the council before the film’s end.

Professor Xavier

There is one member of the Illuminati that has already been confirmed by Marvel–and it’s quite shocking. Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, the leader of the mutants himself, is revealed in the latest trailer for the film, promising to tell Doctor Strange, and, by extension, the fans, some mysterious unknown truth.

Professor Xavier is another essential member of the Illuminati in the comics, representing mutantkind with his presence. This revelation is doubly exciting in that it signals the long-awaited arrival of the mutants in the MCU, and lends credence to the theories of certain previous X-Men actors reprising their roles in the near future.

About The Author