Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduced a new group of Multiversal "heroes" known as The Illuminati, and while they didn't stick around for very long thanks to the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), they certainly made an impression.
The line-up was comprised of Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski), Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), and sole survivor Master Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). We know that other members were considered at various points during the project's development, and writer Michael Waldon has now added another early possibility to the list.
During the audio commentary on the digital release of Sam Raimi's sequel, Waldron spoke about his decision to utilize The Illuminati in the second act ("I had no idea where the hell I was going, and I just thought, 'Well, why don't I take a swing and drop the Illuminati in there?'"), and revealed that Hope Van Dyne, aka The Wasp, was part of an earlier incarnation of the team.
"Yeah, I think I watched Aliens and was just thinking about the way those Marines get massacred, and, yeah, I was glad it worked. I think originally, the Wasp was in a version of the Illuminati, and the Wasp shrunk down and flew at Wanda, and [Wanda] just clapped her hands and just smushed the Wasp in the first draft."
Not the most noble end for the hero, but then none of the Illuminati's deaths were treated in a particularly respectful manner in the movie! Rumors persist that other alternate cameos were actually shot, but so far all we've seen from the deleted/extended scenes is more Pizza Poppa.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now available to stream on Disney+.