Jeffrey Wright's voice as the Watcher carries the weight of a multiverse ending, marking the conclusion of a trilogy that began with a simple question. The third season of What If...? premiered on the 22nd of December 2024, releasing eight episodes daily until the 29th, serving as the final chapter of the animated anthology series. This season was not merely an extension of previous timelines but a deliberate culmination of an emotional journey for the alien observer, whose humanity was explored more deeply than in any prior installment. Development for this final season began in July 2022, with Matthew Chauncey replacing A. C. Bradley as head writer by December 2023, signaling a shift in creative direction. The decision to end the series was announced in August 2024, with executive producer Brad Winderbaum citing bigger reasons within the Multiverse Saga that required the story to conclude from a narrative perspective, though he left the door open for a potential revival. The season stands as a unique artifact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, blending the familiar with the bizarre to explore what happens when the rules of reality are rewritten.
Genre-Bending Timelines
The creative team pushed the boundaries of animation by incorporating wackier concepts and distinct genres that had never been seen in the first two seasons. One episode, titled Go-Avengers: Heroes of the Gamma War, features the Avengers piloting mechs to fight a horde of Mega-Hulk monsters, blending anime-inspired aesthetics from the 1970s and 1980s with the series' standard 3D animation. Another episode transports viewers to a 1930s screwball Bollywood musical number starring Agatha Harkness and Kingo, while a Western-themed episode fulfills director Bryan Andrews' long-held desire to explore the genre. The season also includes a Red Guardian-centered story where the character stops the Winter Soldier from assassinating Howard and Maria Stark, allowing the two to become allies. These episodes utilized unused concepts from the first and second seasons, ensuring that the final chapter felt like a celebration of the series' most ambitious ideas. The variety of genres allowed the writers to explore different tones, from the brutal samurai elements of a scrapped episode to the Dungeons & Dragons-styled concepts that never made it to screen.The Cast of Multiverse
Over 35 actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe reprised their roles for the third season, creating a tapestry of familiar voices and new interpretations. Anthony Mackie returned as Sam Wilson, now serving as Captain America, while Mark Ruffalo voiced Bruce Banner and Teyonah Parris portrayed Monica Rambeau. The cast included Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov, and Simu Liu as Xu Shang-Chi, among many others. Some characters were voiced by different actors than those who portrayed them in the films, such as Kari Wahlgren as Melina Vostokoff and Carina, and Brittany Adebumola as Nakia. New characters introduced in the season included America Ferrera as Ranger Morales and Natasha Lyonne as Byrdie the Duck. The casting also featured a trio of Watchers named the Eminence, the Incarnate, and the Executioner, voiced by Jason Isaacs, D. C. Douglas, and Darin De Paul. Alison Sealy-Smith voiced Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm the Goddess of Thunder, bringing a legacy from the 1992 animated series to the modern multiverse.Animation and Visual Innovation
The visual style of the third season was a deliberate departure from the norm, with specific episodes incorporating hand-animated sequences to match the tone of the story. The episode What If... the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers featured 2D animation inspired by anime from the 1970s and 1980s, before shifting to the series' usual 3D animation for the remainder of the episode. Bryan Andrews hand-animated much of the final fight in the episode What If... 1872?, working alongside the season's head of animation Scott Wright. Flying Bark Productions handled the animation for six episodes, while Stellar Creative Lab worked on the remaining two. The collaboration between the animation studios allowed for a diverse range of visual styles, ensuring that each episode felt unique. The decision to use different animation techniques was part of a broader strategy to make the season feel like a culmination of the series' visual experimentation. The season's animation was a key component in delivering the emotional and narrative weight of the final chapter.Unrealized Dreams and Regrets
Despite the success of the season, there were several ideas that were considered but never realized, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. One concept involved the band Kiss appearing in six different episodes, including a galactic Battle of the Bands where they served as judges. Another idea was a samurai episode that Bryan Andrews described as hardcore and just brutal and awesome, with elements of Romeo and Juliet. A Dungeons & Dragons-styled episode and a kung fu-themed episode featuring Iron Fist and Xu Shang-Chi were also part of the planning process. Andrews expressed regret over not including Hugh Jackman's Logan, or Wolverine, in the season. The team was also unaware of whether they had permission to use X-Men characters during development, despite X-Men '97 being released prior to the season. These unrealized concepts highlight the creative constraints and the dynamic nature of the production process, where ideas are constantly shifting based on the needs of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.The Music of the Multiverse
The musical score for the third season was composed by Laura Karpman, who returned from previous seasons, along with Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum, who had composed the score for the second season. The album was released on the 10th of January 2025, providing a sonic backdrop to the visual and narrative journey of the season. The music was designed to complement the diverse genres and emotional tones of the episodes, from the anime-inspired action sequences to the 1930s Bollywood musical number. The collaboration between Karpman and Kroll-Rosenbaum ensured that the music was both innovative and cohesive, enhancing the overall experience of the season. The score was a key component in the critical reception of the season, with many reviewers praising the musical choices as a highlight of the series. The music was a testament to the creative team's ability to blend different styles and genres into a unified whole.Reception and Accolades
The third season received a positive critical response, holding an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 6.85 out of 10. The season was recognized at the 77th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, with Jeffrey Wright nominated for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work on the episode What If... 1872?. The episode also received nominations for Outstanding Sound Editing For An Animated Program, with Mac Smith, Vanessa Lapato, Alyssa Nevarez, Steve Bissinger, Derek McGinley, Anele Onyekwere, Carl Sealove, Andrea Stelter Gard, and Sean England recognized for their contributions. The season's reception was a testament to the creative team's ability to deliver a compelling and emotionally resonant final chapter. The accolades were a recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire production team, from the writers to the animators. The season's success was a fitting conclusion to the series, leaving a lasting impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Jeffrey Wright's voice as the Watcher carries the weight of a multiverse ending, marking the conclusion of a trilogy that began with a simple question. The third season of What If...? premiered on the 22nd of December 2024, releasing eight episodes daily until the 29th, serving as the final chapter of the animated anthology series. This season was not merely an extension of previous timelines but a deliberate culmination of an emotional journey for the alien observer, whose humanity was explored more deeply than in any prior installment. Development for this final season began in July 2022, with Matthew Chauncey replacing A. C. Bradley as head writer by December 2023, signaling a shift in creative direction. The decision to end the series was announced in August 2024, with executive producer Brad Winderbaum citing bigger reasons within the Multiverse Saga that required the story to conclude from a narrative perspective, though he left the door open for a potential revival. The season stands as a unique artifact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, blending the familiar with the bizarre to explore what happens when the rules of reality are rewritten.
Genre-Bending Timelines
The creative team pushed the boundaries of animation by incorporating wackier concepts and distinct genres that had never been seen in the first two seasons. One episode, titled Go-Avengers: Heroes of the Gamma War, features the Avengers piloting mechs to fight a horde of Mega-Hulk monsters, blending anime-inspired aesthetics from the 1970s and 1980s with the series' standard 3D animation. Another episode transports viewers to a 1930s screwball Bollywood musical number starring Agatha Harkness and Kingo, while a Western-themed episode fulfills director Bryan Andrews' long-held desire to explore the genre. The season also includes a Red Guardian-centered story where the character stops the Winter Soldier from assassinating Howard and Maria Stark, allowing the two to become allies. These episodes utilized unused concepts from the first and second seasons, ensuring that the final chapter felt like a celebration of the series' most ambitious ideas. The variety of genres allowed the writers to explore different tones, from the brutal samurai elements of a scrapped episode to the Dungeons & Dragons-styled concepts that never made it to screen.
The Cast of Multiverse
Over 35 actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe reprised their roles for the third season, creating a tapestry of familiar voices and new interpretations. Anthony Mackie returned as Sam Wilson, now serving as Captain America, while Mark Ruffalo voiced Bruce Banner and Teyonah Parris portrayed Monica Rambeau. The cast included Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov, and Simu Liu as Xu Shang-Chi, among many others. Some characters were voiced by different actors than those who portrayed them in the films, such as Kari Wahlgren as Melina Vostokoff and Carina, and Brittany Adebumola as Nakia. New characters introduced in the season included America Ferrera as Ranger Morales and Natasha Lyonne as Byrdie the Duck. The casting also featured a trio of Watchers named the Eminence, the Incarnate, and the Executioner, voiced by Jason Isaacs, D. C. Douglas, and Darin De Paul. Alison Sealy-Smith voiced Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm the Goddess of Thunder, bringing a legacy from the 1992 animated series to the modern multiverse.
Animation and Visual Innovation
The visual style of the third season was a deliberate departure from the norm, with specific episodes incorporating hand-animated sequences to match the tone of the story. The episode What If... the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers featured 2D animation inspired by anime from the 1970s and 1980s, before shifting to the series' usual 3D animation for the remainder of the episode. Bryan Andrews hand-animated much of the final fight in the episode What If... 1872?, working alongside the season's head of animation Scott Wright. Flying Bark Productions handled the animation for six episodes, while Stellar Creative Lab worked on the remaining two. The collaboration between the animation studios allowed for a diverse range of visual styles, ensuring that each episode felt unique. The decision to use different animation techniques was part of a broader strategy to make the season feel like a culmination of the series' visual experimentation. The season's animation was a key component in delivering the emotional and narrative weight of the final chapter.
Unrealized Dreams and Regrets
Despite the success of the season, there were several ideas that were considered but never realized, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. One concept involved the band Kiss appearing in six different episodes, including a galactic Battle of the Bands where they served as judges. Another idea was a samurai episode that Bryan Andrews described as hardcore and just brutal and awesome, with elements of Romeo and Juliet. A Dungeons & Dragons-styled episode and a kung fu-themed episode featuring Iron Fist and Xu Shang-Chi were also part of the planning process. Andrews expressed regret over not including Hugh Jackman's Logan, or Wolverine, in the season. The team was also unaware of whether they had permission to use X-Men characters during development, despite X-Men '97 being released prior to the season. These unrealized concepts highlight the creative constraints and the dynamic nature of the production process, where ideas are constantly shifting based on the needs of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Music of the Multiverse
The musical score for the third season was composed by Laura Karpman, who returned from previous seasons, along with Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum, who had composed the score for the second season. The album was released on the 10th of January 2025, providing a sonic backdrop to the visual and narrative journey of the season. The music was designed to complement the diverse genres and emotional tones of the episodes, from the anime-inspired action sequences to the 1930s Bollywood musical number. The collaboration between Karpman and Kroll-Rosenbaum ensured that the music was both innovative and cohesive, enhancing the overall experience of the season. The score was a key component in the critical reception of the season, with many reviewers praising the musical choices as a highlight of the series. The music was a testament to the creative team's ability to blend different styles and genres into a unified whole.
Reception and Accolades
The third season received a positive critical response, holding an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 6.85 out of 10. The season was recognized at the 77th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, with Jeffrey Wright nominated for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work on the episode What If... 1872?. The episode also received nominations for Outstanding Sound Editing For An Animated Program, with Mac Smith, Vanessa Lapato, Alyssa Nevarez, Steve Bissinger, Derek McGinley, Anele Onyekwere, Carl Sealove, Andrea Stelter Gard, and Sean England recognized for their contributions. The season's reception was a testament to the creative team's ability to deliver a compelling and emotionally resonant final chapter. The accolades were a recognition of the hard work and dedication of the entire production team, from the writers to the animators. The season's success was a fitting conclusion to the series, leaving a lasting impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe.