Warning: This article contains massive spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has introduced a major component of the Marvel Comics — the Illuminati, which is rearing its many heads as Strange traverses the multiverse. But who are the members of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s elite Illuminati?
Who are the members of the secret Illuminati?
In the Marvel Comics, the Illuminati is usually seen as a series of overly powerful members who are dishevelled by their own hubris group of geniuses. Headed in the Marvel comic books by Tony Stark, Namor, Doctor Strange, and other immensely powerful beings, it’s now made its way into the MCU.
The Illuminati presented in Marvel’s multiverse of Earth-838 are shown during Doctor Strange 2, marking the first appearance of the members of the mighty group. The group consists of:
Captain Carter
First seen in What If…?, Captain Carter is the result of Peggy Carter taking the super-soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers in an alternate universe. She has a vibranium shield, emblazoned with the Union Jack, and is aided by a jetpack booster.
Captain Marvel
A variant of 616’s Maria Rambeau, this version takes up the mantle of Captain Marvel in place of Carol Danvers.
Black Bolt
The ruler of the Inhumans, Blackagar Boltagon is better known by the name of Black Bolt. He is a variant of the 616 version last seen in the ill-fated Inhumans TV series.
Baron Mordo
Owing to some subtle changes in the timeline, Karl Mordo becomes Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme in place of Stephen Strange.
Mister Fantastic
Reed Richards, the leader of the Fantastic Four, sits in one of the chairs and is one of the more measured members of Earth 838’s Illuminati.
Professor X
Charles Xavier returns to screens as the leader of the Illuminati, giving a reasoned viewpoint to the chaos unfurling in the multiverse. He is believed to be a variant of the Fox X-Men series Professor X.
Though unfortunately, no one in the Illuminati manages to escape Wanda’s wrath in the end, we can expect their variants to crop up in future films — we are in the multiverse, after all!
