The Illuminati are officially confirmed for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as new footage mentions the team by name. Doctor Strange's solo-sequel comes nearly six years after the first film and is set to push the Marvel Cinematic Universe fully into the multiverse. The original Doctor Strange made multiple mentions of other universes, but Phase 4 is where Marvel began exploring them. Loki, Marvel's What If...?, and Spider-Man: No Way Home had major multiverse connections, but it is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that will explore the possibilities that other universes contain.

Throughout the marketing campaign for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel has teased some of the alternate timelines the movie explores. The movie's trailers have shown a few variants of Benedict Cumberbatch's sorcerer, and of Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) too. One of the most exciting teases that Marvel gave came with Doctor Strange 2's Super Bowl trailer, which is where Patrick Stewart's Professor X voice was heard. This is also where Strange was shown in a mysterious location with Ultron bots, a possible Captain Marvel variant, and Baron Mordo. All of this led to speculation that the movie will introduce the Illuminati.

Related: Doctor Strange 2 Theory: Scarlet Witch Kills The Illuminati

Now that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is just 10 days away from its theatrical release, Marvel's marketing campaign continues to deliver new details and confirmation. The latest pieces of new footage from Doctor Strange 2 includes the confirmation that Mordo's team, which arrests Doctor Strange, is the Illuminati. During the trailer, Mordo is shown saying, "Stephen Strange, the Illuminati will see you now."

Click here to see the original video

The Illuminati Marvel comics team is among the most powerful of superteams. The original members include Iron Man, Professor X, Reed Richards, Namor, Black Bolt, and Doctor Strange, who join forces to work in secret and influence the universe's events. Despite their intentions, this usually backfired, with the Illuminati being responsible for the events of World War Hulk and Secret Invasion. The version of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange 2 will not only have a very different lineup, but it is also expected to be a multiversal council, as well.

The confirmation that Professor X and the Illuminati are the ones who summon Doctor Strange is a big piece of information to come before the film's release. Outside of an offhand mention in magazine copy, Marvel Studios had yet to officially confirm that this secret team was in fact the MCU's version of the Illuminati. However, since it was quickly realized that this team is what Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness had planned, it is understandable that Marvel would confirm their place in the story. Now, audiences can head into the movie knowing that this is the Illuminati, but still left wondering what role they will play.

More: Doctor Strange 2 Theory: Kang Inspired The MCU Illuminati

Source: Marvel