The Illuminati members in Doctor Strange 2, listed and explained

21/12/2022

0 0 5 minutes read

Doctor Strange from the Mad Multiverse introduces a new group to the MCU: the Illuminati. If you hadn’t expected them to appear, you might have iterated many new characters. Some have become familiar faces with a few changes, while others are recognizable heroes making their first steps into the MCU.

But who are the Illuminati? How many members are there? And why does your marble feel tingle every time it appears on the screen?

This is where we come in. With so many cameos in Doctor Strange 2 in Marvel history, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly who is who. Not everyone can help with obscure references to comic book boyfriends. But don’t worry, we’ll be the ones! Below, we take a look at all the Illuminati members of Doctor Strange 2 you’ve seen before, and why one of them may have a long future in the MCU. Be warned: There are spoilers for Doctor Strange 2! If you haven’t seen the new Marvel movies yet, go back now.

Who are the Illuminati?

In Doctor Strange 2, we encounter the Illuminati in a multiverse, or more precisely, a universe called 838. This secret society is made up of six members: Karl Mordo, Professor X, and Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Captain Carter, Captain Marvel. Each member represents a different group of superheroes and meets regularly with the goal of sharing information to prevent wars and conflicts across multiple universes, particularly intrusions where the two multiple universes collide. Doctor Strange from Universe 838 was also a member, but like the Scarlet Witch in the movie, he was soon corrupted by the Darkhold, and Strange was killed by Black Bolt.

Karl Mordo

(Image credit: Marvel)

Played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is an alternate version of the character we know of from the first Doctor Strange movie. The original version of Mordo (designated 616 in the main Marvel Universe) was formerly a master of mystical arts and formerly an ally of Doctor Strange. He now depletes his abilities by hunting other wizards and is the enemy of Strange. But in this universe, after Strange’s execution, he is the Sorcerer Supreme. He was last seen handcuffed in Doctor Strange 2 after losing the fight against Strange.

Professor X

(Image courtesy of 20th Century Studios)

Patrick Stewart reprises the role of X-Men as Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X, in Doctor Strange 2. Well, to be precise, he’s not the same version as in the X-Men movie. The leader of the cartoon X-Men, Professor X appears to be from the X-Men: Animated Series. On the Saturday morning TV show, Xavier has the same yellow floating wheelchair. A version of the series theme song is also heard when he arrives in Doctor Strange 2.

Professor X represents a mutant of the Illuminati. In fact, he is one of the most powerful mutants in the world and he has telepathy. This is the character’s first appearance in the MCU and could be the last to be killed by Wanda. He also marks the first major mutation we’ve seen in a non-Fox X-Men movie.

Mr Fantastic

(Image credit: Getty)

Fantastic Four leader Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic) is played by John Krasinski in the film. Representing the scientific part of the superhero community, Mr. Fantastic has mastered mechanical, aerospace and electrical engineering, chemistry, physics at all levels, and human and extraterrestrial biology.

Mr. Fantastic appeared in three Fantastic Four films, played by Ioan Gruffudd, released in 2005, and Miles Teller in the 2015 reboot. Krasinski was a popular fancast for the MCU version of Fantastic Four, and was confirmed along the way. , and this is his first appearance in the MCU. It remains to be seen whether Krasinski will return to the role. Since this version is simply multi-version, you can cast others.

black bolt

(Image credit: ABC)

Black Bolt is played by Anson Mount in Doctor Strange 2 and King of the Inhumans. For the most part, the power of a mute hero lies in his voice. When he speaks, he releases a shockwave powerful enough to destroy a city. So I don’t usually speak and communicate more through sign language.

This character previously appeared in the TV series Inhumans, played by Mount. However, this version is different from the version we saw on the small screen, and has a much more comical and accurate costume. This is the first time Inhumans have been mentioned in other Marvel media. The show did not receive good reviews from critics or fans at the time of its release, and lasted only one season, despite Marvel’s intention to film Inhumans at one point.

Captain Carter

if...?

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Captain Carter, played by Hayley Atwell, is an alternate space version of Peggy Carter, an ally of Steve Rogers, founder of SHIELD and MI6 agent. Atwell played normal Peggy in her first Captain America movie and she got a role back in The Winter Soldier, but under heavy will she starred in Avengers: Endgame and has the spin-off series Agent Carter.

But the actor also voiced an alternate version of Peggy in the Disney Plus animated series What If…? Here, Peggy is the recipient of the Super Soldier serum, not Steve. Her name with her superpowers is Captain Carter and she is equipped with a vibranium shield with a Union Jack flag on the front. The version seen in Doctor Strange 2 is bisected with his shield in Darth Maul style.

Captain Marvel

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

The Illuminati version of Captain Marvel is not Carol Danvers (played by Brie Larson on the MCU), but Maria Rambeau, played by Lashana Lynch. Maria’s version of Captain Marvel is just as powerful as Carol’s, but how she came to occupy this cosmic fireplace is unknown.

Lynch previously played Maria in the first Captain Marvel movie, despite being a non-motorized fighter pilot. In the Disney Plus series WandaVision, we learn that Maria from the main Marvel timeline helps form the Galactic Defense Team SWORD, where she serves as her head until she dies of cancer. Their daughter, Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, starred in WandaVision and will have her next lead role in the Captain Marvel sequel The Marvels.

Want to know more about Doctor Strange in the Mad Multiverse? Then check out the following guide.

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Doctor Strange 2’s Illuminati, Listing and Description
Marvel Phase 4 Guide
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All Doctor Strange 2 Easter Eggs Listed
What does 616 mean in Doctor Strange 2?
Where does Doctor Strange 2 fit into on the Marvel timeline?
Who is Charlize Theron in Doctor Strange 2?
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Our full WandaVision cleanup
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More information

The Illuminati members in Doctor Strange 2, listed and explained

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduces a new group to the MCU: the Illuminati. If you weren’t expecting them to appear, the multiple new characters might have thrown you through a loop. That’s become some are familiar faces with a slight tweak, while others are recognizable heroes making their first steps into the MCU.
But who are the Illuminati? How many members do they have? And why does your Marvel-sense keep tingling every time one of them is on screen?
That’s where we come in. Due to Doctor Strange 2’s flurry of cameos from throughout Marvel history, it can be difficult to keep up with exactly who’s who – and not everybody has that Comic Book Guy friend to help them with the obscure references. But don’t worry, we’ll be that guy! Below we go through all the members of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange 2, where you’ve seen them before, and why one of them probably has a long future in the MCU. Be warned: spoilers for Doctor Strange 2 are ahead! Turn back now if you haven’t seen the new Marvel movie.
Who are the Illuminati?
In Doctor Strange 2, we meet the Illuminati in the multiverse – in the universe designated 838, to be exact. This secret society is comprised of six members: Karl Mordo, Professor X, Mr. Fantastic, Black Bolt, Captain Carter, and Captain Marvel. Each member represents a different group of superheroes, and they meet regularly with the aim of exchanging information to prevent wars and conflicts across the multiverse, especially incursions, where two multiverses collide. Universe 838’s Doctor Strange was also a member, but he was soon corrupted by the Darkhold, similar to Scarlet Witch in the film, and Strange was killed by Black Bolt.
Karl Mordo

(Image credit: Marvel)
Played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is an alternate version of the character we know from the first Doctor Strange movie. The original version of Mordo (from the main Marvel universe designated 616) is a former Master of the Mystic Arts and a former ally of Doctor Strange – he now hunts down other sorcerers to strip them of their powers and is an enemy of Strange’s. However, in this universe, he is now the Sorcerer Supreme after Strange’s execution. He’s last seen in Doctor Strange 2 in handcuffs, having been defeated in a fight against Strange.
Professor X

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Patrick Stewart reprises his X-Men role of Charles Xavier, AKA Professor X, in Doctor Strange 2. Well, to be specific, he’s not actually the same version from the X-Men movies. This version of Professor X – who, in the comics, is leader of the X-Men – seems to be from X-Men: The Animated Series. In the Saturday morning TV show, Xavier has the same yellow floating wheelchair. Plus, in Doctor Strange 2, upon his arrival, we hear a version of the show’s theme song.
Professor X represents mutants in the Illuminati. Indeed, he’s one of the most powerful mutants in the world and he is telepathic. This is the first time the character has appeared in the MCU, and perhaps the last, as he’s killed by Wanda. He also marks the first main mutant we’ve seen in a non-Fox X-Men movie.
Mr. Fantastic

(Image credit: Getty)
Leader of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards (AKA Mr. Fantastic) is played by John Krasinski in the movie. Representing the scientific part of the superhero community, Mr. Fantastic has a mastery of mechanical, aerospace and electrical engineering, chemistry, all levels of physics, and human and alien biology.
Mr. Fantastic has appeared in three Fantastic Four movies, played by Ioan Gruffudd in the 2005 release and its sequel, and Miles Teller in the 2015 reboot. Krasinski was a popular fan-casting for the MCU version of Fantastic Four, which has been confirmed on the way, and this is his first appearance in the MCU. Whether Krasinski will reprise the role remains to be seen – they could cast someone else as this version is simply a multiversal variant.
Black Bolt

(Image credit: ABC)
Black Bolt is the King of the Inhumans and he’s played by Anson Mount in Doctor Strange 2. The mostly mute hero’s power is in his voice – if he speaks, it triggers a shockwave powerful enough to destroy a city. Therefore, he usually remains silent and tends to communicate through sign language.
The character previously appeared in the TV series Inhumans, played there by Mount as well. However, this version is different to the one we’ve seen on the small screen, wearing a much more comic book-accurate costume. It’s also the first time the Inhumans has been referenced in any other Marvel media – the show was not well-received upon its release by critics or fans, and only lasted one season despite Marvel once intending Inhumans to be a movie.
Captain Carter

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Captain Carter, played by Hayley Atwell, is an alternate universe version of Peggy Carter, the MI6 agent, ally of Steve Rogers, and founder of SHIELD. Atwell played the normal Peggy in the first Captain America movie, reprised the role in Winter Soldier, but under heavy prosthetics, then cameoed in Avengers: Endgame, and had a spin-off series, Agent Carter.
However, the actor also voiced an alternate version of Peggy in the animated Disney Plus series What If…?, in which Peggy is the one who receives the super-soldier serum, not Steve. With her superpowers, she’s called Captain Carter and is equipped with a vibranium shield with the Union Jack flag on the front. The version seen in Doctor Strange 2 is cut in half, Darth Maul style, by her own shield.
Captain Marvel

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)
The Illuminati version of Captain Marvel is Maria Rambeau, played by Lashana Lynch, rather than Carol Danvers (played by Brie Larson in the MCU). Maria’s version of Captain Marvel is just as powerful as Carol’s, although we don’t know how she came to take on the mantel in this universe.
Lynch previously played Maria in the first Captain Marvel movie, though she was a non-powered fighter pilot. In the Disney Plus series WandaVision, we learn that Maria from the main Marvel timeline helps form the intergalactic defense team SWORD, serving as its Director until dying of cancer. Her daughter Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, has a leading role in WandaVision and will next appear in the Captain Marvel sequel The Marvels.
Want more on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Then check out our guides to:
Doctor Strange 2 ending explained
Doctor Strange 2 post-credits scenes explained
The Illuminati in Doctor Strange 2, listed and explained
Our guide to Marvel Phase 4
The rumored Doctor Strange cameos that never came true
All the Doctor Strange 2 Easter eggs listed
What does 616 in Doctor Strange 2 mean?
Where does Doctor Strange 2 fit on the Marvel timeline?
Who is Charlize Theron in Doctor Strange 2?
The TV history of the Darkhold, explained
Our full WandaVision recap
The Marvel movies and shows to watch before Doctor Strange 2
When is Doctor Strange 2 on Disney Plus?
How to watch the Marvel movies in order
Is Doctor Strange 2 too scary for children?