While fans are currently engaged in the weekly story of Oscar Isaac's Moon Knight, it hasn't kept audiences from looking forward to what comes next: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The movie is said to be the first true dive into the Multiverse, something that seems right up the ally of Benedict Cumberbatch's former Sorcerer Supreme.
The trailers have teased many aspects of the film, from a giant monster named Gargantos, countless Variants of the leading characters, and the introduction of Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez. It even looks like Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch is breaking bad.
One of the biggest teases present in the footage released so far has been the sound of an offscreen voice, one belonging to Patrick Stewart. The actor previously portrayed Professor X in the early 2000 X-Men movies, so, naturally, fans have assumed that's exactly who he'll be playing here.
On top of that, the trailer teases his character being on a mysterious council of sorts—something fans have already theorized is the Illuminati. But is it?
While there might not be an answer to that question yet, director Sam Raimi commented on Stewart's part to play in the upcoming Multiverse adventure.
Doctor Strange 2 Director Under the Marvel Scope
In an interview with Fandango, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi commented on Patrick Stewart's mystery role in the upcoming Marvel Studios film—or rather, he avoided the topic altogether.
In response, Raimi revealed that Marvel is keen on keeping his mouth about Charles Xavier's return, saying how "[he] couldn't promise... that Patrick Stewart's in the picture" and "that's all that Marvel will let me say."
He went on to note how he enjoyed working with Benedict Cumberbatch's "iconic character," as well as Elizabeth Olsen and Benedict Wong:
"Well, I got to work, at least, with Benedict Cumberbatch. I thought he was an iconic character now after so many Marvel movies. Lizzie too, I'd say. And Benedict Wong I'd put in that status."
Avoiding the Patrick Stewart in the Room
The quick and easy answer is that Patrick Stewart is absolutely in the film—assuming that the scene from previous footage makes it into the final cut. The voice off-screen is undeniably Stewart's, something the actor himself has all but confirmed.
Given all of the potential implications of him being in the movie, it's not a surprise that Marvel Studios doesn't want director Sam Raimi to say anything about his part in the film. After all, if he is playing Professor X, he could very well be the first mutant to make it into an MCU project.
Fans have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of the X-Men, and even the slightest appearance of the X-Gene will likely make audiences go wild in theaters. Many have theorized for a long time now that this film, particularly Scarlet Witch, will be responsible for introducing Mutants into the entire MCU, and not just with Multiverse appearances.
Thankfully, the fanbase won't have to wait long to find out, as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in theaters on May 6.
