Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If…? season 3.
Marvel Studios has significantly enriched the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with the animated series What If…? This groundbreaking show has undergone three thrilling seasons from 2021 to 2024, showcasing an array of fascinating alternate realities within the multiverse. With its creative premise, What If…? has brought forth extraordinary variants of iconic Marvel characters, including some remarkable and formidable figures that might not have thrived in live-action adaptations.
Throughout its three seasons, several variants have left an indelible mark on MCU fans. Notable entries include T’Challa’s Star-Lord, Happy Hogan’s Freak, the Mech Avengers, and Xu Xialing’s Hood. Yet, what truly stands out are the exceptionally powerful characters introduced in What If…?—elevating the stakes of their potential appearances in live-action. The anticipation grows as many of their live-action counterparts have already been woven into the MCU tapestry.
10 Byrdie
Byrdie: Her Introduction
Before her anticipated live-action debut in 2025’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Natasha Lyonne lent her voice to Byrdie in the final season of What If…?. Byrdie is uniquely portrayed as the hybrid offspring of Darcy Lewis and Howard the Duck. Her powers began manifesting in egg form during What If…? season 3, episode 4, where she demonstrated her immense energy by thwarting an army intent on capturing her.
As an adult, Byrdie joined Captain Carter, Kahhori, and Storm in the season’s grand finale, showcasing an even broader range of powers. After taking the Watcher’s oath, Byrdie’s abilities were amplified with extra-dimensional powers, enhancing her unique human/duck hybrid capabilities. It’s yet to be confirmed if Natasha Lyonne will reprise her role in the upcoming live-action scenario, but the excitement around Byrdie’s possible crossover into the MCU is palpable.
9 Mega-Hulk
Mega-Hulk: A Power Upgrade
In its season 3 premiere, What If…? propelled Bruce Banner, already one of the strongest MCU characters, into new heights of power as the Mega-Hulk. In the episode titled “What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?”, Bruce utilized a gamma bomb to significantly augment his abilities, allowing him to combat the monstrous Hulk army he had unleashed.
Despite the overwhelming power of the Mega-Hulk, Bruce preserved his humanity with Sam Wilson’s friendship playing a crucial role in tempering his destructive tendencies. This moment could represent a path for Marvel Studios to explore future live-action narratives like the famed World War Hulk storyline. Given the underutilization of Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner in recent years, the emergence of this elevated Hulk variant is a welcome addition to the MCU landscape.
8 Kahhori
Kahhori: The Original Force
Kahhori first appeared in season 2 and was an original character in the What If…? universe. As a member of the Mohawk Nation, she gained remarkable powers from the Tesseract, which had fallen into her reality. This energizing event allowed her to become a significant warrior for her tribe, ultimately assisting Captain Carter against Doctor Strange.
In the finale of season 3, Kahhori was enhanced with Watcher-like abilities, enabling her to harness superhuman traits such as strength, speed, and energy projection. Kahhori’s compelling journey has sparked interest in her transition to live-action, with fans eager to see the emergence of this new cosmic superhero.
7 Doctor Strange Supreme
Doctor Strange Supreme: A Twisted Reality
In season 1, episode 4, What If…? presented a devastating alternate reality where Doctor Strange strived to alter the fate of Christine Palmer. His methods led to his transformation into a monstrous amalgamation of dark energies. Despite facing dire consequences for his actions, he later served as a Guardian of the Multiverse.
Even after sacrificing himself to restore his universe, the finale of season 3 reestablished him as an immensely powerful entity with abilities that could undermine even the Watchers. Benedict Cumberbatch’s live-action Doctor Strange continues to evolve, with potential outcomes for new narratives involving Strange Supreme.
6 Riri Williams’ Vision
Riri Williams’ Vision: The Synthezoid Hybrid
Before returning in the live-action adaptation Ironheart, which is set to premiere in 2025, Dominique Thorne reprised her role as Riri Williams in season 3. In this narrative, Williams manages to outsmart a nanite-enhanced Mysterio while leveraging the remnants of Earth devastated by the Celestial Tiamut’s emergence. Her rise to power came when she successfully overpowered Vision to become a human/synthezoid hybrid, showcasing tremendous capabilities.
This unique transformation has positioned Riri Williams among the most powerful characters in the MCU, giving her the ability to pierce Mysterio’s illusions and restore hope to a shattered world. Considering her impending return alongside the introduction of White Vision, the prospects for an Ironheart and Vision crossover are promising.
5 Zombie Scarlet Witch
Zombie Scarlet Witch: The Haunting Variant
Scarlet Witch, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen, is already one of the most potent beings in the MCU. In season 1’s “What If… Zombies?!”, we witnessed her transformation into a zombie under the influence of the Quantum Virus while maintaining her mastery of Chaos Magic. The terrifying variant poses a significant threat in the upcoming Marvel Zombies series.
Although the last time audiences saw Wanda was in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she sacrificed herself, rumors persist regarding her return to the MCU. The imminent arrival of the zombified Wanda might satiate fans’ cravings for her character’s depth and complexity while showcasing her potential for untold power.
4 Celestial Agatha Harkness
Celestial Agatha Harkness: Hollywood Dreams
In What If…? season 3’s second episode, Kathryn Hahn reprised her role as Agatha Harkness in a narrative where she seeks to harness energy from the Eternals in Hollywood. In her quest, she successfully absorbs the Celestial Tiamut’s powers, becoming a being of immense strength.
Following her victory over Celestial Arishem, Agatha’s choice to relinquish her powers for stardom introduces a fascinating character arc. Given both the popularity of Agatha and her compelling story in the MCU, a potential live-action return could align beautifully with Marvel’s upcoming projects.
3 Infinity Stones Captain Carter
Infinity Stones Captain Carter: The Ascendancy of Power
Hayley Atwell’s Captain Carter has become a cornerstone character in What If…?, providing a unified theme. By taking the role of a super soldier in a universe where she replaces Steve Rogers, she progressively increases her power across her journeys. Ultimately, she harnesses the Infinity Stones in season 2’s finale, propelling her to new heights within the MCU.
| Captain Carter’s What If…? Episode | Release Date |
|---|---|
| “What If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?” | August 11, 2021 |
| “What If… the Watcher Broke His Oath?” | October 6, 2021 |
| “What If… Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?” | December 26, 2023 |
| “What If… the Avengers Assembled in 1602?” | December 29, 2023 |
| “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?” | December 30, 2023 |
| “What If… the Watcher Disappeared?” | December 28, 2024 |
| “What If… What If?” | December 29, 2024 |
2 Infinity Ultron
Infinity Ultron: A Multiversal Menace
Infinity Ultron is yet another powerful figure emerging from the What If…? series, leveraging the Infinity Stones to reinforce his villainous potential. Having assumed Vision’s form and claimed the Infinity Stones from Thanos, he unleashed a devastating assault across the multiverse, only to be countered by the Guardians of the Multiverse.
This animated iteration resurfaced in season 3, where he remained isolated due to never encountering the Watcher. As a result, Ultron ultimately allied with Captain Carter to confront the looming threats, revealing untapped dimensions to his character.
1 Uatu The Watcher (& His Team)
Uatu The Watcher: The Arbiter of Realities
The crowning jewel of the What If…? series manifests in Uatu the Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright. Uatu, an omniscient being from the Fifth Dimension, observes the multiverse’s events, exhibiting powers that redefine the very fabric of reality. His actions throughout the series culminate in a significant development during season 3, wherein he bestowed his abilities onto Captain Carter, Kahhori, Storm, and Byrdie, forming what could be regarded as the most powerful superhero team ever introduced in the MCU.
The implications of their combined abilities, alongside the Watcher’s own strengths, hint at unprecedented dynamics should they transition into live-action. If this powerful ensemble can be integrated into the MCU’s ongoing storylines, it stands to revolutionize the power dynamics within the franchise.