Sam Raimi Comments On Professor X & Illuminati In Doctor Strange 2

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Director Sam Raimi comments on the Professor X and Illuminati theories, as they are seemingly appearing in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Phase 4 has been busy exploring multiple new territories as Marvel Studios is entering a new era after the Infinity Saga's end. One of the new storytelling devices for the ever-growing MCU is the concept of the Multiverse. As it's getting more and more popular in shared universes, the MCU has been playing around with the idea of alternative universes and doppelgangers.

 

Following Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange 2 will be the next franchise to continue the Multiverse trend. While uniting Spider-Men of three generations was a massive success, Doctor Strange 2 is reportedly upping the ante on that front. One of the recent trailers caught universal attention as Charles Xavier, a.k.a. Professor X, seemingly appears as a mystery figure, with X-Men star Patrick Stewart's voice being heard. The supposed return also sparked speculation that Professor X's involvement will also see the MCU's introduction of The Illuminati.

 

Everyone involved is, as expected, staying very silent on both fronts, including Stewart, who has been pulling an Andrew Garfield in several recent interviews. Raimi, who is returning to the superhero genre through Doctor Strange 2, since 2007, is joining his fellow colleagues in the secrecy. In a recent interview with Fandango, the filmmaker was directly asked about the scene from the trailer where Stewart's voice was heard, along with the tease of Illuminati. Like many of the talent that works for Marvel Studios, Raimi kept his lips sealed as he stated the following:

"I couldn't promise you that Patrick Stewart's in the picture. That's all that Marvel will let me say."

 

Even though there is a lot of evidence pointing to both being in Doctor Strange 2, it's not stopping Marvel Studios from having its strict rules on spoilers. Aside from Stewart's consistently hilarious statements in past interviews, the famous Marvel group did "accidentally" get confirmed to be part of Doctor Strange 2, despite the secrecy. During the middle of March, the Illuminati was referenced via caption on an official photo from Empire Magazine, that said "Strange stands before the Illuminati." Since the caption was never corrected, nor did the publication have to retract its release, it's evident that this was something Marvel Studios wanted to be out there.

Regardless of the lack of clear statements from either Raimi or Stewart, it's still fascinating to see what roles Professor X and the Illuminati will potentially play in Doctor Strange 2. Given the massive love for Stewart's portrayal of the iconic Mutant, it will be a huge deal to see him engage with MCU players, in one way or another. The bigger mystery, however, is what other Multiverse cameos will Doctor Strange 2 include in the story. As Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is officially exactly one month away from hitting theaters, fans will know very soon what Raimi's film has in store for the MCU.

 

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