Benedict Cumberbatchmay have just let a pretty huge cat out of the bag. SinceDoctor Strangeis coming out soon, the actor has been doing quite a few interviews in order to promote the movie. Recently, an interview he did during a set visit was released, and he may have revealed that the secret Marvel super team theIlluminaticould be coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Screenrantrecently released a pretty in-depth interview withBenedict Cumberbatchfrom the set ofDoctor Strange. During the interview, the actor was asked about the pressures of bringing such a big,important characterinto the larger fabric of the MCU. His response was anything but concise, but there was a pretty glaring clue in it. Here is what he had to say.
““I think playing anyiconic rolewhen you’re stepping into big shoes, into the shadow of people who have come before you and you can’t process that in a movie to movie basis … I’m excited to see where the Illuminati and whatever else might happen, how that works, and where it ends up. So, yeah, I’m aware of his place within the comic pantheon of it all, the Marvelverse, but I don’t email Kevin saying, “When are we doing next film?” I’m excited to see. I’m excited to see. And as you know, from all these previous incarnations, they play out in unexpected ways from the comic format and journey, so they manage to both fulfill that magical space of doing things that seem to please diehard fans and bring something new as well. So, I guess that’ll be the centerpiece for this guy’s journey.”
Were it not for one word, that would have been a nice answer, but there wouldn’t have been anything very noteworthy in there. However, he mentions “Illuminati” by name and is seeming to imply that is something that has been discussed. Given the name drop fromBenedict Cumberbatch, some of what is going on in the MCU currently and the characters that make up theIlluminati, there is enough evidence to support the idea that they may be forming in a future Marvel movie. While theIlluminatimay not have the name recognition thatThe Avengershave, they are a powerful group and a very important one at that.
For those who may not know, theIlluminatiwere formed in the comics (via a bit of retconning) shortly after the Kree-Skrull war. The group originally consisted ofStephen Strange,Iron Man,Namor, who is essentially Marvel’sAquaman, Reed Richards fromFantastic Four, Black Bolt from theInhumansand Professor X from theX-Men. The group forms because Tony Stark realizes that between them, they had enough information to stop the Kree-Skrull war from happening. So, they decided to get together and exchange information from time to time, working behind the scenes in secret without the knowledge of the otherAvengersor superheroes. Not only that, but the originalIlluminatirun had ties toCivil War, which just occurred in the MCU. Granted, at least a couple of the names in that lineup wouldn’t be able to appear, but other characters likeBlack Pantherhave appeared over the years and could sub in.
WhileDoctor Strangehasn’t even hit theaters yet, it is fairly clear thatKevin Feigehas big plans with the character in the future of the MCU. He is an incredibly powerful character and he will be introducing the concept of magic into the Marvel Universe. It is likely he will have a fairly significant role inAvengers: Infinity War. He has already been confirmed to appear and assuming some leaked plot details we have heard are even somewhat true, he will be essential to the movie.Doctor Strangearrives in theaters on November 4 and if we’re lucky, we’ll get a clue as to whether or not theIlluminatior on the horizon.
