Another year and another Marvel Studios produced movie is around the corner. First up is the long-awaited Doctor Strange sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Directed by Sam Raimi – after Scott Derrickson left the project for creative differences – the movie is set to have the MCU wizard multiverse hop to fight some sort of antagonist. However, there may be a secret team that might appear in Doctor Strange 2.
The Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer showcases a confrontation with Morodo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Shuma-Gorath, and even an evil version of Doctor Strange himself. The last time we saw the “evil” Doctor Strange was in last year’s Disney Plus series, What If… series.
With every new trailer of a Marvel Studios property comes along tons and TONS of theories on what might happen, who might show up, and which direction the MCU is going. Well, how about another theory?!
The First Steps
Disney Plus’s Wandavision was the first move in the “multiverse” direction. The show presented the idea to the general audience and fans of Marvel Studios. The concept of the “multiverse” in comics is nothing new to Marvel—or just plain comic book fans—but Wandavision was a gradual move for Marvel Studios. Loki was the show that blew the door wide and What If… showed the endless possibilities of the multiverse.
The Scene in Question
A lot is going on in the trailer but will most certainly set the internet on fire. Strange has been restrained with a pair of special handcuffs and brought into a room. Occupying him are several bots that look very similar to something we saw in Avengers: Age of Ultron—leading to the idea that Stark tech is being used to restrain Stephen Strange.
After, Strange is brought into a room that is set up like a tribunal with chairs. In the next shot, a very familiar voice is heard and the character walks—or rolls—into the scene. It appears that Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier might be making his debut in the MCU. It’s not confirmed but that’s a strong possibility.
He’s Not Alone
If Professor X is to finally become part of the MCU in Doctor Strange 2, I believe the movie will showcase a very important group from the comics.
That’s right, The Illuminati. The group has made a significant impact in Marvel Comics and was heavily involved with the events leading up to the Marvel Comics’ Secret Wars back in 2015. The roster of members has changed over time. The members included have been Mr. Fantastic, Iron Man, Black Bolt, Namor, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, along with several heroes of the Marvel Comics universe. The big issue is how this could work in the MCU.
Robert Downey’s Tony Stark last appeared in Avengers: Endgame. Downey has said, repeatedly, that he does not plan on returning to the role that’s made him a household name. It could be possible that Marvel Studios brought a dump truck full of cash to his front door, but I believe the studio would do a disservice on bringing him back. His character’s arc ended in the most perfect way possible.
The person that could take Stark’s place is Kang the Conquer. The character has been hinted at since last year’s Loki and the character is set to appear in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Many have speculated that Namor will be featured in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Jon Watts is set to direct a new Fantastic Four movie. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would be a great way to start the hype for those characters and their introduction into the MCU.
The hype around Black Bolt has been dead for years—like that Inhumans show. The idea of bringing in the character this early in the MCU’s recent phase could telegraph the reintroduction of the Inhumans in the MCU. That leaves one spot: Doctor Strange.
Doctor Strange has not joined the Illuminati in this universe but we could see it happening in Doctor Strange 2. The way I see it is that the last seat is currently Mordo’s. The movie might lead up to a big confrontation between Doctor Strange and Mordo ending with the latter’s defeat and Strange taking his spot as a member of the Illuminati.
It’s a theory that will fall into a sea of other theories that surrounded the island of Doctor Strange 2. I don’t know any hard facts from the production of the movie, but this theory is something to think about as you’ve probably come up with one of your own. We’ll just have to wait and see what’s to come next of the MCU in Doctor Strange in Multiverse of Madness that is set to hit theaters on May 6th, 2022.