Marvel Studios has officially closed the book on a key chapter of its Multiverse Saga.
Marvel Studios’ What If…? plunged fans into the untamed chaos of the Multiverse, reimagining pivotal moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This animated anthology, created by A.C. Bradley and director Bryan Andrews, offered captivating alternate realities, twisting the MCU into mind-bending “what if” scenarios. With its third and final season premiering on December 22, 2024, and wrapping up its daily episode rollout on December 29, the series delivered a climactic and fitting finale.
Central to What If…? is Jeffrey Wright’s compelling portrayal of Uatu the Watcher. As an omniscient cosmic guide, Uatu’s resonant voice anchors viewers through the infinite possibilities of the Multiverse, making him an iconic figure in this ambitious series.
The show paid tribute to the MCU’s legacy, welcoming back beloved stars to reprise their roles in animated form. Fans were thrilled to hear Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, the late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Star-Lord, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Iconic performances from Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), and Josh Brolin (Thanos) brought even more familiar faces to the series.
However, not all key players returned. Seemingly due to a mix of contract issues and scheduling conflicts, stars like Brie Larson, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Dave Bautista were absent in earlier seasons. This trend continued into the final season, with notable recastings adding a fresh twist.
Season 3 introduced new voices to familiar roles, keeping fans on their toes. Episode five, “What If…the Emergence Destroyed the Earth?”, featured Kenna Ramsey as Okoye, replacing Danai Gurira, and David Chen stepping in for Benedict Wong as Wong. Meanwhile, Alejandro Saab replaced Jake Gyllenhaal as Quentin Beck/Mysterio, showcasing the versatility of the series.
As the MCU’s most daring dive into alternate realities, What If…? embraced limitless creativity, transforming the MCU into a vibrant multiversal playground. Its conclusion solidifies its legacy as a bold and imaginative experiment, proving that in the Multiverse, anything—and anyone—is possible.
In mid-November, Marvel confirmed Season 3 would mark the end of What If…?, signaling the conclusion of this chapter of the Multiverse Saga. Marvel’s Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, explained the decision on The Geekcentric Podcast:
“We always looked at it as it’s an anthology first and foremost, but that it would have an overarching narrative, especially when it comes to Uatu and his story as the Watcher and his struggle. Even though all three seasons culminate by the finish line, it is a slow burn and kind of keeps that anthological element of the story throughout, but if you look at the final episodes of each season as kind of a Watcher Act 1, Act 2, Act 3, I think it does stand alone as a Watcher story.”
Winderbaum added:
“And in terms of tying to the MCU, we do follow very closely the mythology that’s being set up for the Multiverse as the MCU unfolds. Whether it’s kind of the revelation that the Multiverse exists or the idea that it’s all now harnessed by Loki sitting in the center of the Multiversal tree of stories, or, you know, as will be revealed over time why this was the perfect moment to culminate What If…? in its third season.”
While Loki first introduced the concept of the Multiverse and the Sacred Timeline, What If…? expanded it in extraordinary ways, taking viewers on a journey through infinite possibilities. Its conclusion signals the end of an era for the MCU.
As Phase Five winds down with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* in 2025, Phase Six will kick off with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Multiverse Saga will ultimately culminate with the Russo Brothers Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
How do you feel about the end of this major Multiverse Saga chapter? Let us know in the comments!
