MCU Phase 1 Already Set Up Marvel's Illuminati Team

An Easter egg from Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe already set up Marvel's Illuminati team. Now that the Infinity Saga is over, the MCU will begin to look quite different as Phase 4 begins to chart the course of the universe's future. Marvel might already be plotting for a Secret Invasion storyline and will reportedly introduce a number of superteams across the movies and Disney+ shows. According to some reports, one of the teams that could soon join the MCU is the Illuminati.

Created by Brian Michael Bendis for the comics, the team brought together the biggest Marvel heroes, revealing they secretly have had a major hand in some significant recent comic events. The Illuminati team consisted of Iron Man, Reed Richards, Professor X, Namor, Black Bolt, and Doctor Strange at first, but multiple other Marvel characters have joined the team since then. With the possibility of the Illuminati joining the MCU in Phase 4 or sometime after, fans have been left speculating how their introduction will be handled.

It might surprise some to know that Phase 1 of the MCU already helped set up the Illuminati - and Iron Man's involvement. During the opening of Iron Man 2 when Tony Stark is at a congressional hearing, he pulls out his phone to hack into the monitors being used by Justin Hammer. The device has a shortcut or app for SHIELD, but a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Easter egg (h/t u/sadknickerbockersfan) shows one that says Illuminati right next to it, with what appears to be the same logo/font used in the comics.

Tony Stark Illuminati Iron Man 2 Easter Egg

Even though the MCU has a reputation of being meticulously planned out by Kevin Feige, this Illuminati Easter egg is a prime example of how they plant references that could pay off in the future. For the last ten years, there has been no indication that the Illuminati were coming to the MCU or that they already existed. But, now that the team is reportedly on the way, this Easter egg becomes more intriguing. Thanks to this quick reference to Tony's role in the comics, Marvel Studios has a possible introduction point for the Illuminati in the MCU - if Feige even connects this tease to the team that eventually is revealed.

Marvel's plans for the Illuminati aren't known yet, but this Easter egg from Iron Man 2 could have some massive ramifications if it does have a payoff. In terms of the MCU timeline, this would mean that some version of the Illuminati would exist during 2010, even though the Avengers had yet to form. If a team did exist back then, Nick Fury and Hank Pym are a few options who would make sense as members alongside Iron Man. But, this reveal would also give Marvel the chance to have the Illuminati retroactively have a similar role in the MCU as they did in the comics, where they influenced past events without everyone else knowing.

At this time, it isn't clear what Marvel Studios will do with this Illuminati Easter egg when planning the team's debut. They could ignore it as Marvel did with The Incredible Hulk's set up fro The Leader or contradict it as they did with Thor: Ragnarok's explanation of the Infinity Gauntlet in Odin's vault. But, Marvel could also lean into the reference and retcon another part Iron Man 2, similar to the young Spider-Man cameo retcon. Marvel's track record could really see this Illuminati reference go either way, so fans will just have to wait and see what the MCU's future holds.

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