‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’: Patrick Stewart Claimed He Turned Down Kevin Feige When He Asked Him to Return as Professor X

The new Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer contains many Easter eggs for fans to get excited about. And one of the most compelling details in the video comes from a mystery voice that sounds like a particular mutant — Professor X. However, Patrick Stewart, who played Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series, denied being in the Doctor Strange sequel or any Marvel Cinematic Universe film.

Fans believe Patrick Stewart is in the ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ trailer

Halfway into the new Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer, Stephen Strange, in handcuffs, is taken to a mysterious chamber where he meets with a panel whose faces we cannot see.

Before this scene, Mordo tells the former Sorcerer Supreme, “I’m sorry, Stephen. Your desecration of reality will not go unpunished.” So it seems like Stephen is being judged for his crimes against the multiverse from Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Once he enters the room, a mystery voice says, “We should tell him the truth.” And many fans believe this is Professor X, played by Patrick Stewart, in the Doctor Strange sequel trailer.

Multiple people are also speculating that the panel that Stephen is facing is the Illuminati from Marvel Comics, in which Professor X plays a big part. Plus, Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, which held the rights to the X-Men. So it would make sense if Stewart reprises his role as the leader of the X-Men in the MCU movie. However, the actor once denied that he would ever return to the character.

Patrick Stewart denies his involvement in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

During an interview with Digital Spy in 2020, Patrick Stewart addressed the chances of every playing Professor X again.

“I met with Kevin Feige a couple of months ago, and we had long, long conversations,” Stewart shared. “And there have been moves and suggestions, which include Charles Xavier. Here’s the problem … If we had not made Logan, then yes, I would probably be ready to get into that wheelchair one more time and be Charles Xavier. But Logan changed all that.”

As many recall, Charles died in Logan. However, anything is possible when the multiverse is involved. And the actor made these comments two years ago. It’s conceivable that many things have changed since then and that Feige convinced Patrick Stewart to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And it is hard to deny that the new trailer features his iconic voice.

Other possible cameos teased in the new trailer

Now that the multiverse is in play in the MCU, any cameos are possible in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, not only Patrick Stewart as Professor X. And there are other teases in the trailer that fans are excited about.

The video features a glowing superpowered individual who faces off against Scarlet Witch. Many have speculated that this is Captain Marvel or one of her variants. But some also believe it could be Superior Iron Man. Unfortunately, the picture isn’t clear enough in the trailer to definitively identify them.

Elsewhere in the video, fans think they spot Reed Richards in the Illuminati. The Fantastic Four member was a part of the Illuminati in the comic books, so it’s plausible that he’s in the Doctor Strange sequel.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres exclusively in theaters on May 6.