Doctor Strange 2 will likely be one of the biggest movies of 2022 if the trailer and rumors surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie are any indications. The film dives deep into the multiverse, which means Strange and co. you're likely to encounter many familiar (or less familiar) faces. But we now know that the Illuminati will have a role to play in Doctor Strange 2 .

Fans suspected the Illuminati were in 'Doctor Strange 2' after seeing the trailer

Marvel fans first caught wind of the idea of ​​the MCU featuring the Illuminati in Doctor Strange 2 after the trailer premiered during Super Bowl 2022.

The preview showed robots leading a handcuffed Strange into a bedroom where he encountered a group of characters. We never saw their faces, but fans immediately knew a person's identity. The mysterious individual faced Strange and said, “We should tell him the truth. Immediately, fans recognized Patrick Stewart's voice. And as many remember, Stewart played Professor X in the X-Men film series.

In the comics, Professor X is one of the key members of the Illuminati, a secret society of superheroes. So, of course, fans thought the panel Strange encountered in the Doctor Strange 2 trailer is the Illuminati.

Magazine photo confirms Illuminati appear in 'Doctor Strange 2'

Per ComicBook.com, a Marvel fan posted a photo on Twitter of a page from the upcoming issue of Empire Magazine. The image shows Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in Doctor Strange 2 . And the caption reads, "Strange stands before the Illuminati."

The magazine photo confirms that the Illuminati appear in the Doctor Strange sequel. However, it does not specify which members of the group Strange encounters in the film. Patrick Stewart's Professor X will likely be one of the superheroes. And other notable characters that were part of the Secret Society in the comics are Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Strange, Namor, Iron Man, and Black Bolt.

Unfortunately, Marvel has yet to confirm the presence of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange 2 . But thanks to Empire, fans are convinced the Secret Society plays a role in the MCU movie.

Benedict Cumberbatch calls 'Doctor Strange' sequel 'ambitious'

During an interview with Empire, Benedict Cumberbatch teased his upcoming film. And given his comments, we're not surprised that an exciting organization like the Illuminati is in Doctor Strange 2 .

"It's a big, big movie," the actor revealed. "It's going to be an absolute riot. And if he brings the level of ambition he has, we're going to have Spidey-level success. Here, I'm going to plant my flag in the sand.

Spider-Man: No Homecoming was the highest-grossing film of 2021 and is the sixth-highest-grossing film of all time. It would be pretty impressive if Doctor Strange 2 reached the level of success of the third MCU Spider-Man movie.

Cumberbatch also said, “There's a lot of accountability. And a lot of self-discovery. Strange is almost a stranger to himself before this film unfolds and reveals what, essentially, is in his nature, which he must then either face, or resist, or fall, or become. There are some very bold ideas and extraordinary tests of Strange and encounters. There are some very unexpected conclusions.