The screenwriter of the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Michael Waldron, delivered his verdict. Behold, whether according to him, we will ever see each other again or not the Illuminati group in other MCU universes and films.
WARNING: this article contains spoilers concerning the film. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Do not continue reading if you do not want to read it.
An unlucky team
After assisting Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange has returned in an all-new movie, this time to help another heroine trying to escape the throes of the multiverse. While trying to flee the Scarlet Witch, young America Chavez, hunted for her powers, and Stephen Strange are stranded in different alternate realities. On one of them, baptized Earth-838, they met the Illuminati.
Much like they are in the Marvel comics, the Illuminati were shown in film as a group of heroes tasked with making tough decisions for the good of their universe. This consisted of Captain Carter (played by Hayley Atwell), Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Monica Rambeau (Lashana Lynch) in Captain Marvel outfit, as well as Mr Fantastic (John Krasinski) and Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart).
As Sam Raimi’s film reveals, the Illuminati played a key role in defeating Thanos in their universe. This therefore foreshadowed a certain level of power on their part. And yet, that did not stop them from get atomized by Wanda, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswhich left them no chance.
Any hope of finding them in the MCU?
So, will we ever witness the return of these MCU heroes who left too soon? The screenwriter of Doctor Strange 2 answered this question in an interview with Vanity Fair. Here is what Michael Waldron said when the question “do the Illuminati exist on Earth-616 (the universe where the MCU productions take place) or in other alternate realities” was asked:
No, not from what we know. I guess that might be the case. Eventually. But in any case not from what we know. They only exist on Earth-838.
The Illuminati’s appearance is certainly brief, but with the multiverse, Kevin Feige and his team could bring this team back whenever they see fit. However, Marvel Studios is not obligated to bring it back to the exact configuration where we know it. Indeed, nothing guarantees us that the actors chosen to interpret these new characters are the same ones when they are introduced in the new MCU films. This means, for example, that Red Richards will not necessarily be played by John Krasinski in the next reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise.
