WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home, now playing in theaters.
With the Marvel Cinematic Universe's recent installments having cracked the multiverse open, the floodgates are open for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to unleash a slew of extradimensional variants for the former Sorcerer Supreme to encounter. Spider-Man: No Way Home proved that Marvel Studios has no problem bringing characters from other universes into the MCU, and it's looking incredibly likely that Stephen Strange's second solo outing will follow suit.
Let's break down every character rumored to show up in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated Feb. 21, 2022, to include additional rumored characters.
Loki And His TVA Allies May Appear In Doctor Strange 2
Considering the fact that the Disney+ Loki series was where the MCU's multiverse first broke open, it seems very likely that its lead characters will be returning for Multiverse of Madness. Both Loki and his variant Sylvie feel like shoo-ins to appear after their interactions with He Who Remains in their show's finale, while the return of fan-favorite character Mobius M. Mobius also seems quite possible. All three of these characters have been heavily rumored to return in Multiverse of Madness, and the fact that the movie's screenwriter Michael Waldron also served as Loki's executive producer makes their return feel like a near-certainty.
Wiccan and Speed's Return Could Be Wanda's Goal In Doctor Strange 2
The first official trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness revealed that the film will be following up the events of WandaVision, with Wanda directly mentioning her takeover of Westview that took place in the Disney+ series. The post-credits scene of that show's finale depicted Wanda hearing the voices of her magically created children, Billy and Tommy, while studying the Darkhold, which seems to be a pretty clear indication that the two will return in Multiverse of Madness. It stands to reason that Wanda may be joining Strange specifically with the intention to get her kids back, so viewers shouldn't be too surprised if the future Young Avengers pop up again somewhere in the multiverse.
Professor X May Appear As a Member of Doctor Strange 2's Illuminati
Ever since Disney acquired 21st Century Fox (and all of the Marvel properties that it owned), fans have eagerly awaited the day that the X-Men make their debut in the MCU. That day may finally come with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as Patrick Stewart has been rumored to reprise his iconic role of Professor Charles Xavier from the X-Men films. According to these rumors, Stewart's Xavier will be depicted as a leading member of the Illuminati, who Strange will reportedly encounter during his trip through the multiverse with America Chavez.
Mister Fantastic Could Make His MCU Debut in Doctor Strange 2
Another Fox-owned Marvel character who will purportedly return in Multiverse of Madness is Reed Richards, who was portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd in Tim Story's Fantastic Four duology. Reports claim that Mister Fantastic will serve as a member of the Illuminati alongside Patrick Stewart's Professor X, though further details about his supposed role have not yet been revealed. The return of Gruffudd's Reed Richards would be a neat callback that could help set the stage for the Fantastic Four's upcoming solo film from Marvel Studios. Additionally, John Krasinski has been rumored to appear as another variant of Reed somewhere in the movie.
An Unnamed Fox-Marvel Character Has Been Rumored For Doctor Strange 2
In addition to Professor X and Mister Fantastic, reports have claimed that another character who originated in Fox's Marvel films will be making their MCU debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. No details have been given as to this character's identity, but it has been claimed that Scarlet Witch will engage in a fight with them, potentially delivering one of the MCU's craziest action scenes yet. It seems likely that the character will be tied to the X-Men, given Professor X's rumored status as the leader of the Illuminati, but as of yet nothing has been confirmed.
What If's Captain Carter Has Been Reported To Return In Doctor Strange 2
Captain Carter proved to be one of the most popular characters introduced in Marvel's What If...? animated series, so it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that she has been rumored to return in Multiverse of Madness. Specifically, it has been claimed that the Super-Soldier variant of Peggy Carter will appear as yet another member of the Illuminati, alongside Professor X and Mister Fantastic. What If...?'s creators have already confirmed that Captain Carter will return to the MCU in the near future, so what better place is there for her to appear next than a movie about variants and multiversal shenanigans?
Ultron (and/Or His Sentries) May Serve The Illuminati In Doctor Strange 2
The same report that claimed that Patrick Stewart's Professor X would return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also stated that the film would mark the cinematic return of Ultron -- or at least his sentries. The Illuminati will reportedly be using Ultron's sentries as foot soldiers, and they will apparently engage in a battle with Strange before capturing him and bringing him to the leading council. Considering the fact that What If... depicted an incredibly powerful variant of Ultron with the ability to travel between dimensions, the return of his sentries would serve as a nice tie-in to that series while also establishing just how powerful the MCU's Illuminati truly is.
Sleepwalker's Debut Was Teased By Doctor Strange 2's Merchandise
Some recent toy listings for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness have hinted at the debut of a fairly obscure Marvel character called Sleepwalker. In the comic book source material, Sleepwalker is a supernatural hero with the power to travel through dreams while his host body is sleeping. It's currently unknown what role Sleepwalker will play in the upcoming film, if any, but his inclusion in its merchandise line seems a bit too specific for him to have just been placed in randomly.
D'Spayre May Bring A Shang-Chi Connection To Doctor Strange 2
Another character whose introduction has been hinted at by Multiverse of Madness' toy listings is D'Spayre, a demonic villain who uses telepathic powers to induce fear in humans. In the comics, D'Spayre is a servant of the Dweller-In-Darkness, the monstrous final villain of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While the beast was defeated by that film's titular hero, D'Spayre's inclusion in Multiverse of Madness's merchandise could signal that the Dweller-In-Darkness may return for a battle with yet another Marvel hero.
Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man May Take Another Trip Through The Multiverse Of Madness
Tobey Maguire's return as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home sent comic book fans everywhere into a frenzy of excitement, and if reports are to be believed, he's not done with the MCU. It's been heavily rumored that Maguire will return in the Doctor Strange sequel, and while the extent of his role has not been revealed, it's undeniable that a reunion between him and Sam Raimi (who directed the Maguire-starring Spider-Man trilogy) would be absolutely magical. Other, slightly less believable reports even have gone so far as to claim that Marvel and Sony have plans for a solo project starring Tobey Maguire as the Web-Head once again.
Doctor Strange 2's Poster May Hint At Deadpool's MCU Debut
The theatrical poster for Multiverse of Madness has seemingly hinted that Deadpool will make his way into the MCU as part of the sequel. Ryan Reynolds has already been confirmed to be reprising his role as the Merc with a Mouth in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but as of now, it's unknown where exactly he will debut. Several eagle-eyed fans have claimed to have spotted Deadpool in a glass shard on the sequel's poster, but Reynolds himself has denied the rumors of his return - although perhaps not in the most believable manner.
Wolverine May Appear in Doctor Strange 2 - But Not Hugh Jackman
Recent reports have claimed none other than Wolverine will appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness -- but not actor Hugh Jackman. If these reports are to be believed, the movie will introduce audiences to a new version of the iconic X-Man, who may or may not end up recurring later down the line. Wolverine is one of Marvel's most popular and successful characters, so his introduction in this film would be a good way to get fans excited about Marvel Studios' inevitable X-Men reboot.
Ghost Rider May Ride Through The Multiverse Of Madness
Several actors have played Ghost Rider over the years, and it sounds like the Spirit of Vengeance may get another chance on the big screen. Rumors have indicated the skull-headed antihero may be involved in the events of the Doctor Strange sequel, though the circumstances of his involvement haven't been revealed. Additionally, reports are conflicted as to whether a previous actor (like Nicolas Cage or Gabriel Luna) will be returning to play the character, or if the film will introduce a whole new version entirely, though it is worth noting that The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus has been heavily rumored to portray the MCU's version of Ghost Rider.
A Variant Of Iron Man Played By Tom Cruise May Lead Doctor Strange 2's Illuminati
Tom Cruise is one of the biggest action stars of all time, and if rumors are to be believed, then he may just end up joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Doctor Strange 2. Various reports have claimed that the Mission: Impossible star will appear in the film as a variant of Tony Stark, as an in-joke to the fact that he was almost cast as Iron Man before Robert Downey Jr. ultimately won the role way back in 2008. If he does appear in the film, Cruise will purportedly be playing the Superior Iron Man, a version of the character with a much darker and more power-hungry personality. These rumors have also claimed that Cruise's Iron Man will be a central figure in the Illuminati, perhaps even serving as the group's leader.
Nightmare's MCU Debut Was Hinted in Doctor Strange 2's Trailer
Doctor Strange 2's second trailer revealed that Strange has been plagued by nightmares for a while now, and fans are taking this as a hint that Nightmare himself may be the culprit. He's Strange's oldest foe, with the two having debuted in the same issue of Strange Tales way back in 1963, and his arrival to the MCU has been discussed by fans for years. With so much on Strange's plate already, it's unclear exactly what capacity Nightmare would appear in, but his arrival would surely open the door for some insane stories for the future.
Directed by Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set for release on May 6, 2022.