Warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.The Illuminati is one of the most powerful formation of superheroes in the history of Marvel Comics. Yet in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda decimates each team member with ease, including the world’s most powerful mutant, Professor Charles Xavier (Sir Patrick Stewart). The Illuminati consist of the highly anticipated Reed Richards of The Fantastic Four (John Krasinski), alongside Captain Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) from Marvel’s What If…?, Maria Rambeau (Lashan Lynch) as Captain Marvel variant, a variant of Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) from the first film, and finally, Black Bolt (Anson Mount). This formidable team is dismantled in the most horrific of ways by the Scarlet Witch, and she does it with relative ease and, frankly, violence that, per Variety, have people questioning the film’s PG-13 rating.

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While the lack of screen time and total decimation may have diminished The Illuminati’s presence, we highly doubt that they were introduced only to be slaughtered. This was, we believe, an introduction to characters whose multiversal variants will play a role in forming and running the Illuminati in the MCU going forward. After all, this was only The Illuminati from one universe. There are an infinite number of universes, including the MCU’s main universe. As such, there are an equally infinite number of characters who could form a different roster of The Illuminati in the main timeline. Indeed, the MCU is reportedly planning to introduce some of the characters we saw in Multiverse of Madness in future phases. From a Fantastic Four reboot to the introduction of the mutants, the main timeline will soon have its own Reed Richards and Professor Charles Xavier. Let’s take a look at what could be next for the Illuminati in the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse.

The Illuminati in Main MCU Timeline (Earth 616)

     Marvel Comics

It appears more than likely that we will be re-introduced to some of the heroes from The Illuminati that appeared in Multiverse of Madness. The question is: will it include variants of the same heroes we saw in Multiverse of Madness? Or will we be introduced to a new version of the Illuminati? In Multiverse of Madness, The Illuminati lived in a timeline called Earth 838. In Marvel Comics lore, however, the Illuminati from Earth 616 — the main MCU timeline — consists of Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Namor, and Professor Xavier. Per Screen Rant, Namor is rumored to be appearing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Additionally, the stage is being set to introduce The Fantastic Four and the X-Men. Iron Man probably won’t be a part of the team given his heroic sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, and nothing has be reported yet about bringing Inhumans into the MCU fold, so there’s a chance they’ll be substituted with other powerful heroes.

Illuminati Formation After Secret Invasion

     Marvel Studios

With the MCU set to release a Secret Invasion series on Disney+, this could be what sets the stage for the formation of The Illuminati. In Marvel Comics, The Illuminati was formed after the Kree-Skrull War. With an upcoming show that we know will feature Skrulls, could this be the catalyst for the formation of the Illuminati in the main MCU timeline? Only time will tell.

Upcoming Fantastic Four Film

The MCU has a Fantastic Four film, announced back in 2019, in development. Despite the recent loss of director Jon Watts (director of the Spider-Man: Homecoming Trilogy), The Fantastic Four is still likely to hit the silver screen in the next few years. While that may seem like a lifetime for movie fans, we could see The Fantastic Four appear in other MCU films before appearing in their own. Regardless, this could be another path leading to the formation of The Illuminati.

X-Men Reboot

     20th Century Fox

While there are no official plans at Marvel Studios regarding their reboot of the X-Men franchise, it’s probably a safe bet Kevin Feige will not leave money on the table, considering how beloved (and lucrative) the Fox franchise was, and especially considering their leader had a cameo (albeit brief) in Multiverse of Madness. While that Charles Xavier met a gruesome end, he is ultimately a variant Charles Xavier; therefore, he is not from the main MCU timeline. We have yet to meet Charles Xavier from Earth 616. When we do, it may be once again in his capacity as the leader of The Illuminati.

What If…? Season 2

     Via: Marvel Studios

While What If…? is an animated show, season one presented an infinite amount of possible realities. Season two could spend an episode exploring The Illuminati and how they are formed. While they may not be in the main MCU timeline in What If…?, fans would still love to see an animated Professor X alongside an animated Reed Richards, Captain Carter, Black Bolt, and Captain Marvel. Even Iron Man could potentially join the squad in What If…? in a reality where he didn’t make the heroic sacrifice. Moreover, fans have already been introduced to a few animated versions of The Illuminati we saw in Multiverse of Madness — Professor X has appeared in multiple animated X-Men shows, and Captain Carter herself was a new character created specifically for What If…?’s season one. We will find out soon enough when the second season of What If…? makes it to Disney+.

These are just a few ways in which the Illuminati could return to the MCU in its main timeline. Still, the creative team at Marvel could find another reason for forming this powerful group of over-watching superheroes that has been beloved by fans of Marvel Comics since their first appearance in 2005’s New Avengers #7. With a multiverse of possibilities, there is no telling what Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios have planned for this group of heroes, and we cannot wait to see.