What If…?
Series, 2021, Phase 4, Set in Multiversal
What If…? is #34 of 69 in release order and #28 of 69 in chronological order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The story
Taking inspiration from the comic books of the same name, each episode of this animated anthology series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments.
What If…? recap
This is the first season of an animated anthology narrated by the Watcher, a being who observes the multiverse and does not interfere. Each episode changes one event: Peggy Carter takes the super soldier serum and becomes Captain Carter; Yondu takes T'Challa instead of Peter Quill, making him a beloved Star-Lord; someone murders the Avengers before the team forms; Doctor Strange loses Christine Palmer and tears his universe apart trying to save her; a quantum virus turns heroes into zombies; Killmonger saves Tony Stark in Afghanistan to work his way into Wakanda; Thor grows up an only child and throws a party on Earth. In the eighth episode, Ultron wins Age of Ultron, takes all six stones, wipes out life and then sees the Watcher and attacks him across universes.
What If…? ending explained
The Watcher breaks his oath and gathers the Guardians of the Multiverse: Captain Carter, Star-Lord T'Challa, Strange Supreme, Killmonger, Gamora, party Thor and the Black Widow of Ultron's world. They upload Arnim Zola's mind into Ultron's body, Killmonger turns on them to take the stones, and Strange Supreme seals Killmonger and Zola in a pocket dimension he guards forever. The Natasha from Ultron's world moves to a universe that lost its own Natasha, and Captain Carter learns her Steve Rogers is alive inside a Hydra suit.
Where to watch What If…?
What If…? is streaming on Disney+ and PBS in the US.
Ratings
IMDb 7.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 89%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Black Widow, before Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
- Chronological order: after Deadpool & Wolverine, before What If…? Season 2.
What to watch before What If…?
In release order, 26 Marvel Cinematic Universe essentials come before What If…? (2021), from Iron Man (2008) to Black Widow (2021). What If…? itself is optional in the Marvel Cinematic Universe order.
Cast
- Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher (voice)
- Terri Douglas as Additional Voices (voice)
- Matthew Wood as Additional Voices (voice)
- Fred Tatasciore as Groot (voice)
- Robin Atkin Downes as Additional Voices (voice)
- Shelby Young as Additional Voices (voice)
- Debra Wilson as Additional Voices (voice)
- Dave B. Mitchell as Additional Voices (voice)
- Helen Sadler as Additional Voices (voice)
- Piotr Michael as General Dreykov (voice)
- Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter / Captain Carter (voice)
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes (voice)