Who Arrests Doctor Strange? MCU Illuminati & Professor X Link Explained

The new “Big Game” trailer for Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness teases the debut of the MCU Illuminati. Supported by Patrick Stewart’s appearance as Professor X from the X-Men franchise, it seems as though the classic team comprised of Marvel’s leading heroes will be coming together, their original purpose from the comics having been expanded to the entire multiverse if this new trailer is any indication. Now, it seems as though they’ll be taking Doctor Strange into custody after manipulating the multiverse itself.

As revealed by the Doctor Strange 2 Super Bowl trailer, Stephen Strange will be facing new threats and dangers related to the multiverse which he seems to be responsible for (which likely began after helping Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home). Joined by Wanda Maximoff who’s officially become the Scarlet Witch, Wong as the current Sorcerer Supreme, and a new hero America Chavez, it seems as though Strange will be trying to close the proverbial Pandora’s Box that is the multiverse. However, it may already be too late after Karl Mordo tells Strange that his “desecration of the multiverse will not go unpunished“.

Likewise, Mordo’s foreboding comments are followed by Strange being placed in handcuffs and escorted by drones who very much resemble Ultron. Standing before a tribunal that seems to include Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, it’s likely that Strange has been brought before the Illuminati for his crimes against the multiverse. Beyond Charles Xavier himself, leading heroes such as Iron Man, Reed Richards, Namor, Black Bolt, Black Panther, and more have been involved in the comics’ secret gathering of heroes. While Doctor Strange has been a member of the Illuminati in the comics as well, it seems as though Mordo may be filling in for Strange instead. While the team has taken it upon themselves to shape and guide the Marvel Universe towards outcomes they believe to be preferable, it looks as though the MCU’s version will be taking it a step further, having the entire multiverse in mind.

Who Arrests Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Trailer

As seen in the new Doctor Strange trailer, Stephen is being escorted by what look to be hybrid versions of Ultron drones and the Iron Legion, Tony Stark’s autonomous robots he used to aid the Avengers in crowd control and relief efforts before their corruption in Avengers: Age of Ultron. While Strange is taken to a chamber with several overlooking chairs, the audience isn’t shown who ultimately sits in them save for the voice of Patrick Stewart, a major tease for that the X-Men’s Professor Xavier is among this particular group (apparently some sort of tribunal in response to Strange’s multiversal crimes). Combined with the Iron Legion drones who likely belong to a variant of Iron Man, it seems Doctor Strange will be appearing before a live-action Illuminati. The fact that Mordo talks over that part of the trailer concerning Strange’s crimes against the sanctity of the multiverse, it would seem likely that he too is a member of the powerful council, or at least works for them.

Who Are The Illuminati? Marvel Comics History Explained

Created for Marvel Comics by Brian Michael Bendis in 2005, it was revealed that the Illuminati have existed in the shadows ever since the Kree-Skrull War came to Earth and nearly destroyed the world. Seen as the pillars of the superhero community, these heroes come together in secret from time to time to guide the world and keep it protected, each of them bringing something crucial to the table. While Namor represents his realm of Atlantis and the antihero mindset, Iron Man represents the Avengers and the common man, having no inherent powers. Black Bolt represents the race of the Inhumans and the perspectives of a king, a role he’s shared with fellow rulers Namor and Black Panther. Reed Richards is also an important member who offers his background in advanced science and exploration, while Professor Xavier represents mutantkind. Last but not least, Doctor Strange represents magicians as the Sorcerer Supreme.

Together, the Illuminati believe that they have the responsibility and right to manipulate and shape events in secret to keep the world safe. However, they often make hard decisions that ultimately make things worse. For example, they inadvertently caused a Skrull invasion. Likewise, they unilaterally decided to banish the Hulk to space to stop his rampages on Earth only for him to return as a ruler bent on revenge (causing World War Hulk). However, that’s only if they manage to stay unified, seeing as how they’ve had their fair share of division over the years (having lost and regained members along the way).

 How Doctor Strange 2 Is Setting Up The Illimunati Differently

What’s interesting about this teased Illuminati for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is that they seem to be very focused on protecting the entire multiverse, hence Strange being punished for tampering with it. While the Illuminati of the comics have had their share of battles and conflicts with multiversal threats, it’s all in the interest of protecting their own reality with all of the heroes coming from the same universe. In the case of this hinted MCU version, it seems likely that this clandestine group will be made up of variants from other universes such as Professor X from the X-Men universe or the rumors of Tom Cruise playing a variant of Tony Stark, acting as major multiverse cameos in Doctor Strange 2.

This new trailer does seem to suggest that the MCU Illuminati will closely resemble the Watchers such as What If…?’s Uatu or perhaps serving as a more genuine version of Loki’s TVA rather than being an organization secretly run by He Who Remains (and now Kang). Either way, the new footage for Doctor Strange 2 very much supports the theories of the Illuminati debuting in the MCU, albeit one dedicated to protecting all universes rather than just one. As such, they may have decided to sacrifice the MCU for the good of the greater multiverse, potentially making them the villains of the upcoming film. Fans will just have to wait and see when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness comes to theaters on May 6th.