Patrick Stewart is officially confirmed as Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Ever since Marvel Studios reclaimed the character rights to the X-Men, fans have been wondering when the mutants would show up in the MCU. Kevin Feige and his team have remained mum about it, giving the smallest of teases here and there. Still, rumors persisted that Doctor Strange 2 would feature major cameos from a slew of past Marvel actors and newly cast heroes.

After a director switch that resulted in Sam Raimi taking over directing duties from Scott Derrickson, production for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness had quietly progressed as it became one of the MCU's most anticipated movies. Amidst reshoots, Marvel Studios opted to release fans' first look at the next MCU movie as Spider-Man: No Way Home's post-credits scene. Despite plot details remaining under wraps, the nature of the multiverse led many to believe that everyone from Tom Cruise to John Krasinski as Reed Richards would be in Doctor Strange 2. Now, thanks to the Multiverse of Madness trailer, one of them has been confirmed.

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Marvel Studios released its first official trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness during Super Bowl LVI. The clip is dense with information, but arguably its most exciting revelation is the confirmation that Stewart is back as Charles Xavier — at least in the film. In the video, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is put on trial, with the leader of the mutant seemingly functioning as the governing body's leader.

It's been several years since Stewart officially retired his Marvel role via James Mangold's Logan. Despite the interest to see him back as Professor X, especially after Marvel Studios reclaimed the character rights for the X-Men, he was adamant that he was no longer interested, not because he didn't love the role, but because his send-off in the Hugh Jackman-led 2017 dystopian movie was so well done. Still, he didn't hide the fact that he had conversations with Feige and his team about the future of Professor X in the MCU.

While the clip doesn't give context as to why Professor X is suddenly involved in Doctor Strange's new adventure, based on the comics, it's safe to assume that Marvel Studios is gearing to debut the MCU's Illuminati. So the question now is who else is part of the team's roster aside from Charles Xavier. In print, Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Namor, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange were all members of the line-up, but it's will be interesting to see if Marvel Studios will stick to this roster for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

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Source: Marvel Studios