A list of all MCU Phase 1 characters returning in Marvel’s What If…?

For Marvel’s What If…?, many MCU Phase 1 characters return to reprise their roles. Marvel’s What If…? claims to be the first comprehensive look into the Marvel Comics multiverse and all the various realities that exist beyond the Quantum Realm. Also, in addition to being the first animated series made as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Given the unfolding tale of Phase 4 of the MCU and the notion that the Multiverse would play a key role in numerous upcoming films, this has many fans excited.

First debuting in 1977, What If…? was a sweeping comic for its time. While Marvel and DC Comics had always published “imaginary stories” set outside of regular continuity, and DC Comics had an extensive multiverse populated by various versions of their most popular heroes, What If…? was the first monthly comic dedicated to examining how various classic stories might have played out if one small change or one decision had been made differently. The majority of these tales were told by the all-seeing Uatu the Watcher, a cosmic entity pledged to keep an eye on all that had happened or may happen, but never to interfere with earthly matters.

Marvel’s What If…? will be presented in the same anthology format, with Jeffrey Wright reprising his role as Uatu the Watcher from Westworld. The cast of the series is excellent, with most of the actors repeating their roles from the original MCU movie. Here’s a rundown of every MCU phase 1 character who’ll be back for Marvel’s What If…? and what we know about their new roles.

List of every MCU phase 1 character returning to Marvel’s What if

Tony Stark

Tony Stark was well-known before he became the invincible Iron Man, but his life would have gone a different path if it hadn’t been for a well-timed terrorist strike and a stroke of terrible luck. One episode of Marvel’s What If…? will be based on Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger preventing the attack that caused Tony Stark to suffer shrapnel in his heart, according to the teaser. A zombie version of Tony Stark will appear in another episode, probably based on the Marvel Zombies universe.

Pepper Potts

Tony Stark’s fiery executive assistant went on to marry him and become a hero in her own right, complete with her own set of power armor. Pepper Potts will appear in at least one episode of Marvel’s What If…?, although not as Gwyneth Paltrow’s character.

Harold “Happy” Hogan

Harold “Happy” Hogan, a former boxer who Tony Stark hired as his personal bodyguard and chauffeur, rose through the ranks at Stark Industries to become Head of Security and an unusual mentor to Peter Parker. Jon Favreau will reprise his role as the grumpy yet endearing character.

Christine Everhart

Christine Everhart was a Vanity Fair reporter who originally appeared in Iron Man when she had a one-night affair with Tony Stark and then went on to question his business operations. She reprised her role as an anchor for WHiH World News in the MCU online series WHiH World Newsfront before moving on to a new role as an anchor for WHiH World News in Iron Man 2. Leslie Bibb will reprise her role as her.

James Rhodes

James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a Colonel in the United States Air Force and Tony Stark’s best friend since college, fought many metaphorical wars alongside Tony before piloting his War Machine armor into physical war zones. Don Cheadle is set to reprise his role in Marvel’s What If…?

Nick Fury

Nick Fury has worn a variety of headgear during his career, as well as his signature eye patch. Soldier. Spy. Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., among other things. In Marvel’s What If…?, it’s unknown where the multiverse will lead him. However, Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as him.

Bruce Banner

Dr. Bruce Banner was eternally changed by the accident that released his inner wrath in the shape of the Incredible Hulk, but his narrative has been the topic of several What If…? comics in which he was affected in different ways or other people were transformed by the gamma bomb instead of him. Mark Ruffalo will reprise his role as Dr. Banner as Hulk in all of his incarnations since the first Avengers film.

Peggy Carter

Peggy Carter, who first appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger before moving on to her own short-lived solo series Agent Carter, has always had a bigger role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe than simply Captain America’s long-lost love. The first teaser for Marvel’s What If…? highlighted this point, revealing that in at least one alternate world, Peggy Carter instead of Steve Rogers took the Super Soldier Serum and used it to form a powerful barrier against the Axis Powers’ soldiers. Hayley Atwell has announced that she will reprise her role as Captain Carter’s voice.

Steve Rogers

While Chris Evans will not feature in any episodes of Marvel’s What If…?, Steve Rogers will appear in at least one. Another episode will feature a zombie Captain America, presumably located in the Marvel Zombies universe.

Dum Dum Dugan

It’s simple to see why “Dum Dum” Dugan chose his nickname over his given name, Timothy Alloysius Cadwaller Dugan. “Dum Dum” Dugan was one of the original Howling Commandos led by Captain America during World War II, and following Steve Rogers’ apparent death, he went on to lead the unit and assisted Peggy Carter and Howard Stark with various SSR missions. Neal McDonough will reprise his role as Dugan.

Arnim Zola

Armin Zola, a Swiss-born scientist working for HYDRA, was the first to investigate Tesseract’s abilities. Following World War II, he went on to rebuild HYDRA in the shadow of S.H.I.E.L.D. Toby Jones will reprise his role as Zola.

James “Bucky” Barnes

James “Bucky” Barnes, Steve Rogers’ best friend since childhood, was kidnapped by HYDRA soldiers and brainwashed into becoming the Winter Soldier, unbeknownst to his Howling Commandos teammates. It’s unclear how Barnes’ life would be altered in Marvel’s What If…?, but Sebastian Stan will reprise his role as Barnes.

Abraham Erskine

Dr. Abraham Erskine was a German-born scientist who worked with the SSR to develop the first MCU Super Soldier Serum rather than serve the Nazi war machine. Unfortunately, he perished from an assassin’s bullet just as his life’s labor was coming to a close, and the serum’s secrets went with him. In Captain America: The First Avenger, Stanley Tucci reprised his role as Dr. Erskine.

Howard Stark

Howard Stark, the father of Tony Stark and the inventor of Captain America’s Vibranium shield, set the path for the MCU’s first widely recognized superheroes. Dominic Cooper reprises his role as him.

Thor

Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Odin’s son and Asgard’s champion. It’s unknown what role Mjolnir’s wielder will have in Marvel’s What If…? But, because Loki has made that joke, it’s safe to assume he won’t be appearing as Throg.

Loki

The God of Mischief, as burdened as ever with splendid intent, will appear in at least one episode of Marvel’s What If…? and will be voiced by Tom Hiddleston. One episode of Marvel’s What If…? is said to be dedicated to examining what would have happened if Loki had been appointed Odin’s heir instead of Thor.

Sif

Jaimie Alexander will play Lady Sif of Asgard in Marvel’s What If…?, following her cameo in Loki. It’s unclear how this Sif will differ from the one familiar to MCU fans, although it could be related to her strange departure in Thor: Ragnarok.

Jane Foster

Natalie Portman’s return to the part of Jane Foster for Marvel’s What If…? was one of the most surprise casting announcements ahead of her involvement in the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder. Some have hypothesized that the film’s Jane Foster could be a variation of Jane from another universe, and Marvel’s What If… could easily build up such a plot.

Darcy Lewis

Darcy Lewis first appeared as Jane Foster Thor’s “sassy sidekick” in Thor: The Dark World, before moving on to a more important role in WandaVision, assisting S.W.O.R.D. in assessing the abnormality around Westview. Kat Dennings reprises her role as Darcy in a parallel universe.

Clint Barton

Clint Barton, one of the founding Avengers and a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent alongside Natasha Romanoff provided a unique perspective as a sharp-eyed and hard-of-hearing character. In advance of his upcoming Hawkeye series, Jeremy Renner then reprises his role as the archery-themed Avenger.

Maria Hill

Maria Hill was the former Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and also Nick Fury’s right-hand woman. She was there to keep the lights on during numerous crises. In Marvel’s What If…?, Cobie Smulders will reprise her role as the super spy.

Natasha Romanoff

Natasha Romanoff defected to S.H.I.E.L.D. to make up for the red in her ledger after being indoctrinated into the Red Room as a youngster and taught to be a deadly assassin. MCU Phase 1 character Scarlett Johansson will not reprise her role as Black Widow. But at least one version of the character will appear in Marvel’s What If…?

Phil Coulson

The untimely death of MCU Phase 1 character, Phil Coulson, one of SHIELD’s finest operatives, prompted the establishment of the Avengers. While there is still controversy about whether his later term as director of SHIELD in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series is canon, the newly constructed multiverse demonstrates that the events of that series took place somewhere, if not in the main MCU’s current timeline. Clark Gregg will return to voice at least one version of the Son of Coul in Marvel’s What If…?.