Illuminati Captain Carter Helps Doctor Strange In MCU Concept Art

Marvel storyboard artist Soren Bendt reveals Captain Carter's extended role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The release of the Doctor Strange sequel was met with high expectations, particularly due to the appearance of the Illuminati. The film allowed for Marvel to finally delve into the expanded multiverse and show off characters that otherwise they couldn't previously introduce. It featured appearances from Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski), Maria Rambeau as Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), and the live-action debut of Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell). Despite the impressive line-up, the depiction of the characters was very divisive.It is no secret that Marvel had major plans for the characters and that massive rewrites resulted in the scenes being heavily altered. Bendt shared his storyboards online (as seen via Doctor Strange Updates), unveiling a bit more about the Illuminati's original roles. The biggest reveal was that Captain Carter was originally going to help Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his allies escape through the tunnels and stay behind to battle Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). The art can be seen down below:Related: Why Peggy Carter Doesn't Call Herself Captain Britain In The MCU

Why The Illuminati's Doctor Strange 2 Role Was Reduced

Captain Carter at the Illuminati HQ in Multiverse of Madness

Within the comics, the Illuminati is a group that was composed of the smartest members of the Marvel Universe who all represented a certain aspect of their world. Together, they shared their knowledge in an effort to prevent dangerous threats, but this ultimately became their downfall. The MCU version of the team makes them more about making drastic and executive decisions that the Avengers of the main universe would not make. They ultimately serve as a way to show Doctor Strange how dangerous the multiverse is, and to also show off how dangerous Scarlet Witch is. Wanda is able to dispatch them quickly, which was another source of criticism from some viewers.

In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the Illuminati act more like anti-heroes to Doctor Strange. While they are considered the good guys, their methods are questionable. Having Captain Carter help the main heroes in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would have at least fleshed her out more. As to why Carter and the rest of the Illuminati had a reduced role, it was likely so that the pace of the film could move quicker after audiences are suddenly introduced to several new characters in a short amount of time.

The biggest reason for the Illuminati's smaller role was also most likely to maintain the narrative at its most basic core. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is first and foremost about Doctor Strange and his journey in learning to move on following a major traumatic event that affected the world. Had the extra Illuminati scenes stayed in, they would have been enjoyable, but they would also most likely slow the film down and detract from the main plot. While audiences were only treated to short appearances from Captain Carter and the other characters, there is always a chance they will return to the MCU someday.

Next: Why Doctor Strange Really Hated MCU Iron Man

Source: Soren Bendt (via Doctor Strange Updates/Twitter)