Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees its eponymous superhero travel across a variety of universes, meeting many interesting characters along the way.
Some of them are familiar, like Baron Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) or even an alternate version of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), but there were also some surprising cameos in the film.
The biggest of these come with the introduction of the Illuminati, a group who help keep peace in their multiverse much like the Avengers do in the version of Earth fans are familiar with.
Here is everything you need to know about the characters that appear. But, be warned there are spoilers ahead of the sorcerer's solo sequel.
Who Are the Members of the Illuminati? 'Doctor Strange 2' Group Explained
The Illuminati consist of six members in total, and they are seen when they hold a council meeting when Earth-616's Doctor Strange enters their multiverse.
Baron Mordo takes the sorcerer in handcuffs to meet the group, introducing him to their universe's Captain Marvel, played by Lashana Lynch.
Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell) is also part of the group, the character's live-action debut after first appearing in the animated series What If...?
One long-rumored character making his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is Reed Richards, Fantastic 4's leader, played by John Krasinski.
Krasinski's appearance as Mr Fantastic was first rumored after Kevin Feige confirmed a Fantastic 4 film was in the works for Marvel in December 2020, as was his real-life wife Emily Blunt's potential to play Sue Storm/Invisible Woman.
In an interview with Uproxx in May 2021, Krasinski said he'd be keen to play Mr. Fantastic, but Blunt said on The Howard Stern Show at the time that she has no interest in appearing in a superhero film.
Reed Richards' wife is referenced once in Doctor Strange 2 but she is not seen, so it is yet to be confirmed who will play her.
The remaining two members of the Illuminati are Black Bolt (Anson Mount) and Professor X, portrayed once again by Sir Patrick Stewart.
The Illuminati inform Doctor Strange that they were forced to kill their version of him because he became consumed by the Darkhold, the book of spells that gives its wielder access to terrible dark magic and corrupts their minds.
Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) is the one with the Darkhold now, and she uses it to dreamwalk into her variant in the multiverse where Strange is with America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) so she can steal her powers and travel to a universe where she can be with her children, Billy (Julian Hilliard) and Tommy (Jett Klyne).
The Illuminati face off against Wanda but they prove no match for the Scarlet Witch, and each is brutally killed by her.
Wanda removes Black Bolt's mouth so he uses his sonic-boom on himself, she makes Richards disintegrate, cuts Captain Carter in half with her own shield, crushes Captain Marvel with a statue, and kills Professor X's mind when he tries to invade hers.
Whether the characters could appear in another film, as another variant perhaps, is yet to be confirmed, but Feige's announcement of a Fantastic 4 project suggests that Krasinski's Richards will return at least.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is out in theaters now.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Roxy Simons is a Newsweek TV and Film Reporter (SEO), based in London, U.K. Her focus is reporting on the ... Read more
