In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU seems to introduce the Illuminati, but is an Avengers hero part of the mysterious group?
In the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer, fans were treated to a potential glimpse of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of the Illuminati. Audiences theorize about which multi-versal characters might be part of the group, as so many possibilities exist. It’s possible, however, that one of its most important members is a retired Avenger.
In the comics, the Illuminati are a group of super-beings who protect the multiverse, contrary to the belief that they were villains. The group had members like Iron Man, Charles Xavier, Doctor Strange, Reed Richards, Black Panther, Beast, Namor, and most interestingly, in this case, Captain America. While fans are suggesting that a multiversal version of Iron Man could be in the Illuminati, an even more exciting theory is that audiences could be seeing Steve Rogers, aka Captain America.
After returning the Infinity Stones to their correct timeline, Steve Rogers returned to the main MCU timeline to pass his shield to Sam Wilson. What Captain America did with his remaining time before his death is a mystery. And no, Steve wasn’t on the moon. However, he could have used his knowledge of the multiverse as a member of the Illuminati, protecting him during his twilight years.
In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it is never explicitly said that Steve is dead. It’s obvious he’s gone, and Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes might be the only two people in existence who know where he is. It’s possible that Steve actually left the main timeline once he delivered the shield and swore never to return. Instead, he protects the universe from threats as a member of the Illuminati.
Although not impossible, the theory has some flaws, namely the existence of VAT and the events of the Falcon and the Winter Soldier themselves. Sam Wilson leaves Cap’s shield with the Smithsonian on the TV show, but he doesn’t stay there. It ends with John Walker, the “new captain”. It’s unlikely that Steve just sat back and let this happen, especially if Steve wanted to be sure that Earth was safe while he worked on multiversal threats. If Captain America was alive in another dimension, he would have made a trip home to save his shield from falling into the wrong hands.
Also, with the existence of the VAT, it’s unlikely that Cap could have gone back and forth between timelines without repercussions. The TVA could see the purpose of handing over the Infinity Stones and preserving the deadlines – it’s their job, after all. But staying in a timeline you don’t belong to would have put Steve on their radar. Jumping into a space between dimensions one more time to become part of a clandestine organization would have been a big no-no.
It seems more likely that Steve returned to the Sacred Timeline after his time with Peggy and remained there until his death. Also, Sam is far more upset by the events surrounding the Smithsonian exposure and the reveal of a new “Cap” than he would have been had he known that Steve was out there somewhere watching the things from afar. The way Bucky and Sam talk about Captain America seems to indicate that he really is dead.
Anything is possible in the multiverse, so it’s not completely ridiculous to think that old Cap might reappear. However, it seems unlikely that the MCU will go down this route. More possible is the chance to see variant versions of Captain America, maybe even one who is a member of the Illuminati. It’s even been suggested that it’s not Captain America, but Marvel’s Captain Carter. What if?… TV show, which fans will see in theaters. As long as it’s not “Evil Cap,” audiences will likely be intrigued and excited about who’s occupying those seats.
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