Warning! Spoilers ahead for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness producer Richie Palmer confirms Tony Stark’s Ultron plan worked on Earth-838. With a script by Loki creator Michael Waldron, director Sam Raimi’s Multiverse of Madness features many callbacks to previous Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. For example, the film appears to build upon/diverge from the plot of 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Partway through Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) escape their Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) on Earth-616 and land in the seemingly Utopian universe Earth-838. There, they’re arrested and escorted by Ultron sentries before the Illuminati: a secret society of superheroes consisting of Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Maria Rambeau/Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), and Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski). Fans long theorized that the “good” Ultron bots seen in its trailer signified Tony Stark/Iron Man was an Illuminati member. While neither Robert Downey Jr. nor Tom Cruise appear in the film, Multiverse of Madness’ producer has confirmed a suspected connection between Earth-838 and the events of Age of Ultron—which sees Tony fail to put a “suit of armor around the world.”
In a recent interview with Empire (via The Direct), Marvel Studios producer Richie Palmer discussed how Earth-838’s Iron Man allowed for the Illuminati’s formation. In particular, he confirmed that the superhero team exists in “a world where Ultron seemed to work the way [he was] intended [to in Age of Ultron],” which gave many enhanced individuals the opportunity to retire, including Wanda. Read the full quote below:
“…this is a world where Ultron seemed to work the way Tony Stark intended him to work in Age of Ultron. 'A suit of armor around the world,' Tony was trying to get the Avengers to retire in Age of Ultron. So, imagine this is a Wanda that, around that time... This is a world where Tony cracked Ultron, and it worked, and he went, 'Hey, whoever wants to retire and go home, can.' And then the Illuminati came to rise behind the scenes, pulling the strings, but I think it's just a little bit of a better world for whatever reason, and Wanda was able to go and have the life that she deserved. We as the audience don't know who the father of those children is in this universe.”
It’s interesting how Palmer mentions the mysterious identity of Billy and Tommy’s father on Earth-838. Given that Multiverse of Madness takes place after WandaVision, it’s assumed the pair are the children of Wanda and Vision. However, if Ultron didn’t become a murderous A.I. in that universe, Tony never would have transferred Jarvis into his vibranium body and created Vision. Again, this brings into question the glaring absence of Iron Man—whose Ultron program would’ve been instrumental in the creation of a Utopian society and is one of the original members of the Illuminati in the comics.
Cruise was famously in talks to play Iron Man before the role went to Downey. Following the latter’s retirement in Avengers: Endgame, rumors persisted that Cruise would cameo in Multiverse of Madness as an Iron Man variant. Specifically, Marvel Comics’ Superior Iron Man, a villainous version of the Avenger with even more advanced technology. Reports suggest that Kevin Feige and company considered reaching out to Cruise. However, the A-Lister has been more than busy filming the final two installments in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Still, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness leaves one chair on the Illuminati empty. While it may be Black Panther who decided to skip work the day the Scarlet Witch slaughtered his colleagues (or wasn't needed when the Illuminati killed Thanos), Palmer’s comments lend credence to the theory it was Iron Man.
Source: Empire (via The Direct)
