When you’re travelling through the multiverse, you’re bound to see new characters or even new versions of the characters you’re already acquainted with. That’s why in Doctor Strange 2, Strange not only meets multiple versions of himself, he is also introduced to a never-seen-before team of superheroes: the Illuminati.
Sadly, before we can any action or juicy details, Wanda gets rid of them with a flick of her wrist (to put it mildly). So who exactly are the Illuminati?
In Doctor Strange 2, the Illuminati is introduced as Earth-838’s team of superheroes who work together, akin to the Avengers or Agents of SHIELD. It is made up of six members: Karl Mordo, Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Captain Carter, and Captain Marvel.
To note, Earth-838’s Illuminati has a few different members from that in the comics — that is Doctor Strange was a well and alive member, while Captain Carter and Captain Marvel were not part of it at all.
There may be other universes where the founding members of the Illuminati either completely match the comics or are vastly different. It is also implied that the Illuminati were a secret organization kept away from the public eye.
What’s also fascinating is that each member was a representation of other major superheroes teams/organizations, like Black Bolt for Inhumans or Professor X for Mutants.
As you may have noticed there are a few familiar faces, while others are totally new characters. Here’s a little information on each of the members:
1. Karl Mordo
Karl Mordo turns into an antagonist at the end of Doctor Strange. So it is indeed difficult for us to “Go at red!” when we another version of him on Earth-838.
In this universe, he took on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme after Strange’s death. He was also Strange’s close friend but had to stand down when Strange strayed into the dark arts due with his dream walking.
That’s why when another Strange appears, he is extremely wary of him, traps him and calls on the rest of the Illuminati for more help.
2. Charles Xavier | Professor X
Patrick Stewart appearing on screen once again as Professor X got one of the loudest cheers in the theatre.
Just to clarify, this isn’t Professor X from Sony’s X-Men. If his golden-yellow floating wheelchair is anything to go by, he’s may be from X-Men: The Animated Series. But he definitely exudes the same nurturing personality, when he recites his memorable X-Men dialogue to Strange.
What is cool is that this is the first time we’re seeing a Mutant in the MCU!
3. Reed Richards | Mister Fantastic
Whoever said manifestation doesn’t work, has not experienced the magic of fan-casting. John Krasinski takes on the baton of playing Reed Richards/Mr Fantastic from Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller who helmed the role in the 2005 Fantastic Four movies and the 2015 reboot, respectively.
As mentioned in the film, he is quite literally a genius, being an ace in the field of mechanical, aerospace and electrical engineering, chemistry, all levels of physics, and human and alien biology.
It is a little sad that we don’t get to see him show off his intellect or his stretching superpowers (that much) in the film. Here’s to hoping Krasinski makes a fantastic return.
4. Blackagar Boltagon | Black Bolt
Anson Mount has played Black Bolt before, in a Marvel series known as Inhuman. Unfortunately, the show received astoundingly bad reviews. Still, it was nice to see both the character and actor make a comeback in Doctor Strange 2.
For those of you who don’t know, Inhumans are a reclusive race of genetically altered superhumans. Black Bolt is the ruler of Attilan, an Inhuman Kingdom.
I appreciated that we got to see just exactly how his powers worked and having a rad, comic book accurate costume. Whether this was just Marvel’s way of giving the Inhuman chapter a send-off, or opening the gates for future projects is yet to be seen.
5. Peggy Carter | Captain Carter
If you haven’t watched What If…? you may be a little confused as to why Peggy Carter has Cap’s get-up and Union Jack shield. Well, in some universes out there, there’s a possibility that it is Peggy who gets injected by the super-soldier serum instead of Steve. Earth-868 happens to be one of them.
She has a similar strength range to Captain America, and apparently even shares his iconic phrase. But there’s nothing more revealed about this version of Peggy in the film.
6. Maria Rambeau | Captain Marvel
Lashana Lynch has appeared as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel and WandaVision. While she does not have super powers in her first appearance, WandaVision will take you through her journey where she may someday become Captain Marvel’s protege.
On Earth-868, Maria has already landed that position but her origin story is unknown. It is believed that she did have powers equal to MCU’s (or well, Earth-616’s) Carol Danvers.
7. About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the sequel to the 2016 movie Doctor Strange. The film is directed by Sam Raimi with a screenplay by Jade Bartlett and Michael Waldron.
It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez.
The sequel revolves around the dangerous consequences of Doctor Strange opening the multiverse.
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