Will Marvel’s top secret super group appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
The Illuminati were heroes who formed an alliance and secretly worked behind the scenes in the Marvel Universe. Brian Michael Bendis created this Illuminati and revealed how they were secretly part of the biggest events of Marvel history starring with the Kree-Skrull war.
With plans for films starring Doctor Strange, Black Panther and Inhumans, almost every member of the secret super group will appear in the Marvel movies.
The original Illuminati would act a secret “United Nations” council with representatives from major groups and nations.
Iron Man of Avengers, Doctor Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme, Professor Xavier of X-Men, Namor of Atlantis, Black Bolt of the Inhumans, Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Black Panther refused to join and warned what could happen if they secretly played God behind the scenes and what would happen when the disagreed. One of the group’s most controversial decisions was to exile the Hulk to a isolated planet. The Green Goliath came back with a vengeance but that’s another story or possible movie.
The current Illuminati was assembled by Black Panther when he discovered a threat to Earth in centered in his homeland, Wakanda. Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Beast, Namor, Black Bolt, Reed Richards and Captain America formed this new Illuminati to find a way to prevent the destruction of Earth by incursions from rival Earths from the multiverse.
When Captain America stood against the team’s plan to wipe out a planet to save Earth, his memory was wiped by Doctor Strange and he was kicked out of the team. Namor betrays the group and forms a new cabal with super villains to do what the heroes won’t – kill heroes and destroy other worlds to save ours.
Based on the comic book counterparts – here’s who could be a potential Illuminati in the movies.
Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr) Tony Stark is the essential member who may even be the one to start this team within a team.
Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) T’Challa is a genius whose intellect rivals Stark who will do what it takes to protect his Kingdom.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) As the ultimate authority on the supernatural, Stephen walks the dark side and world of magical secrets.
Black Bolt of the Inhumans (yet to be cast) An immensely powerful leader who has kept his race hidden from the world for decades. Black Bolt is a master strategist who will make any sacrifice to keep his Inhuman family safe.
Captain America (Chris Evans) is the moral compass of the Avengers who will likley be kept out of the covert team. He’s the guilty conscience they don’t want to hear as they plot to do unheroic acts for the sake of the planet.
Reed Richard, Professor Xavier and Beast will not appear because film rights to those characters are with Fox.
Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) from Ant-Man could step in bringing their big brains to the group.
No word on if Marvel will ever bring the most divisive Illuminati member, Namor, to the movies.
The Illuminati are an integral element of the modern day Avengers comics while ret-conned into Marvel history. It’s the clash of egos, heroes’ moral compasses and the price of secrets that make for incredible drama.
By Editor