The post-credits scene of *Captain America: Brave New World* certainly leaves an impression. If you’re not already in the loop, you might want to brace yourself for some significant spoilers regarding what unfolds and what might have been.
In the film’s final moments, Sam Wilson finds himself in the shadowy depths of the Raft, where he encounters the enigmatic Samuel Sterns. In a moment thick with suspense, Sterns cryptically warns Sam about incoming threats from other worlds and refers to “the others.” While these ominous hints could easily be interpreted as a nod toward the multiversal chaos anticipated in *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Secret Wars* — realms where even those outside the know, like Doctor Strange and Monica Rambeau, remain largely uninformed — the reference to “others” hints at a deeper intrigue. Speculation suggests it might have originally pertained to the Illuminati, Marvel’s assembly of supergeniuses, who made their first major appearance in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*.
In a recent discussion with *Brave New World* director Julius Onah, TheWrap speculated on the Illuminati’s role, asserting they were part of an earlier draft of the screenplay but were ultimately excised during reshoots. It was later shared by scooper Alex Perez that these characters were envisioned as a collection of heroes from alternate realities, setting them apart from the Earth-838 versions seen previously. Onah was reticent to delve into specifics, yet he highlighted that Sterns’ ominous proclamation was intentionally vague, built to create intrigue. He indicated that while the narrative focus might have shifted, the desire to conclude the film with some form of forewarning was always present, especially as Marvel began to clarify its trajectory during a tumultuous time when writers were sidelined by industry strikes.
Why were the Illuminati considered for *Brave New World*? In the comic realm, Steve Rogers has a history with this elite group, having clashed with them during the lead-up to the multiverse-centric *Secret Wars* saga. His opposition to their controversial strategy of prioritizing their world at the expense of countless others led to a drastic course of action: they erased his memories. Once he regained those lost recollections, he rallied the Avengers to confront them. This precedent certainly sets the stage for the potent narrative intersections between Captain America and the Illuminati — though one can’t shake the feeling that their potential appearances in *Brave New World* would’ve landed as unexpectedly as Sterns’ foreboding words.
Priyam Gera