Warning: Full spoilers follow for Marvel’s What If…? Episodes 1-6.
The MCU-based What If…? animated series is finally here, and it features many of the actual MCU actors from the movies voicing their iconic characters. At the same time, some actors aren’t back to reprise their roles as part of the What If…? cast.
In the sixth episode, What If…? explored an alternate timeline where Tony Stark never became Iron Man thanks to a rescue by Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger. Stark’s life – and perhaps the entire Avengers Initiative – is changed drastically by this, and many of our favorite characters fall to Killmonger’s hand during his quest for vengeance.
Each episode features new and returning characters from the MCU, and we are here to document each one so you can keep track of which voice actors are returning to their roles, which aren’t, and what these new versions of our favorite heroes look like. We’re updating this article throughout the season so be sure to check back each week!
Jump to a specific episode right here, or read through the slideshow or full article for every actor so far…
What If…? Episode 6 Cast: What If… Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?
Tony Stark / Iron Man – Mick Wingert
Tony Stark’s life, and perhaps the entire Avengers initiative, was changed the most in this week’s story when Killmonger showed up to save him from the attack by the Ten Rings. Not only does he never become Iron Man, but he also falls to Killmonger after initially putting so much trust in him. Mick Wingert once again voices Tony Stark instead of Robert Downey Jr after making his first appearance in Episode 3.
Killmonger – Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is back as Killmonger in this week’s episode and he lives up to the villain we were introduced to in Black Panther. In this alternate universe, however, he saves Tony Stark from the Ten Rings and becomes his trusted ally. Unbeknownst to many he encounters throughout this story, he has an ulterior motive with not only Tony – who he indirectly prevents from ever becoming Iron Man – but also with Ulysses Klaue, General Ross, and T’Chaka. Luckily, not everyone is fooled by his actions.
Happy Hogan – Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau returns to play a Happy Hogan who was passed up for his Stark Industries’ Chief Security Officer promotion when Tony Stark selected Lt. Eric Stevens/Killmonger for the job after his life was saved by him.
T’Challa / Black Panther – Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman once again takes up the role of T’Challa and Black Panther in this sixth episode, but he falls to Killmonger when trying to stop him from purchasing Vibranium from Ulysses Klaue.
Queen Ramonda – Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett lent her voice once again to Queen Ramonda, and we get to see her warrior side take center stage in the battle against the Liberators.
Okoye – Danai Gurira
As we seem to say every week, the wonderful Danai Gurira is back again as Okoye and she does what she does best – protect Wakanda and those who call it home.
Ulysses Klaue – Andy Serkis
Ulysses Klaue makes an appearance in this episode of Marvel’s What If…? and Andy Serkis returns to voice the arms dealer who meets a fate similar to the one he had in the MCU.
Rhodey – Don Cheadle
Since there is no Iron Man in this alternate timeline, that means there is also no War Machine/Iron Patriot. Despite that, James “Rhodey” Rhodes still has a role to play and Don Cheadle returns to voice him. Too bad he also has an unhappy ending thanks to Killmonger.
Jarvis – Paul Bettany
Paul Bettany is back as Tony Stark’s AI friend Jarvis, as this story takes place before he becomes Vision and is given physical form.
Christine Everhart – Leslie Bibb
Leslie Bibb makes her second appearance as Christine Everhart in Marvel’s What If…? and continues the trend of asking Tony Stark the tough questions.
T’Chaka – John Kani
John Kani is back as T’Chaka and puts his full trust in Killmonger after he “saves” Wakanda from an attack the villain secretly orchestrated. He even makes Killmonger the next Black Panther.
Obadiah Stane – Kiff Vandenheuvel
While Obidiah Stane returned for a new story in Marvel’s What If…?, Jeff Bridges did not. Instead, Kiff Vendenheuvel took on the role of Tony Stark’s business partner who was secretly plotting his demise. Vendenheuvel has appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Officer Mazzuccheli, and in both Marvel’s Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales for PS4/PS5.
Pepper Potts – Beth Hoyt
Gwyneth Paltrow did not return as Pepper Potts this week, and instead she is played by Better Call Saul and Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Beth Hoyt. Pepper Potts ends up being one of the few people not swayed by Killmonger, and may be the key to stopping him in this alternate timeline.
General Ross – Mike McGill
Mike McGill once again replaces William Hurt to play General Ross, another character who unwittingly helps Killmonger achieve his goals.
Shuri – Ozioma Akagha
Shuri plays a big role in this week’s episode as one of the few characters who sees through Killmonger’s plan. Letitia Wright does not return to play the princess of Wakanda, and instead, she is voiced by Runaway’s Ozioma Akagha.
The Watcher – Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright is, as always, part of this episode of Marvel’s What If…?, and his character, The Watcher, gives us perhaps our best look at him so far.
What If…? Episode 5 Cast: What If… Zombies!
Bruce Banner / Hulk – Mark Ruffalo
Mark Ruffalo once again lends his voice to Bruce Banner and the Hulk, who has arrived on an alternate Earth to warn the Avengers of Thanos. However, the heroes he came to warn have turned into an even bigger threat than he could have ever imagined.
T’Challa / Black Panther – Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman makes his second appearance in Marvel’s What If…?, and this time he is playing the Black Panther we know and love… well, except for the fact that he was kidnapped by Vision and partially fed to a zombified Wanda Maximoff.
Vision – Paul Bettany
Paul Bettany’s Vision has had a rough go of it in not only in our Marvel Cinematic Universe, but in this one as well. While the zombie apocalypse may have prevented Thanos from killing him, his fate here is just as grim. He is powerless to help cure a zombie version of Wanda, and he has resorted to kidnapping his friends to keep her alive. Furthermore, he still is killed when the Mind Stone is removed from his head, yet this time it is by his own hand.
Bucky Barnes – Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan also makes a return to Marvel’s What If…?, this time with his long-flowing hair and Vibranium arm. In Peter Parker’s “So You Want to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” video, he is not only known as Bucky “Silent But Deadly” Barnes, but his skills are listed as “murder, killer arm, and heavy sleeper.”
Hope van Dyne / Wasp – Evangeline Lilly
Evangeline Lilly takes on the role of Hope van Dyne once more, and is one of the people unintentionally involved in starting the MCU zombie apocalypse after Hank Pym found her mother Janet van Dyne who, in this universe, “contracted a quantum virus that corrupted her brain.”
Scott Lang / Ant-Man – Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd and his jokes find their way to Marvel’s What If…? this week, and while he returns as Ant-Man, most of his screen time is spent as a talking head that has been cured of the quantum virus that has turned this world into zombies. Does that make him Ant-Head now?
Happy Hogan / Zombie Happy – Jon Favreau
Happy Hogan is once again played by Jon Favreau, and although he gets a few moments to enjoy some Stark tech for himself, he soon thereafter becomes a victim of zombie Hawkeye.
In Peter Parker’s “So You Want to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” video, he is not only known as Happy “Never Actually Happy” Hogan, but he’s also wearing a shirt that says, “I’m not single, I’m saving myself for Thor.” Also, his skills are listed as “driving, coffee, and boxing.”
Okoye – Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira lends her voice to Okoye once more this week after making an appearance in the second episode of What If…?
Sharon Carter – Emily Vancamp
Emily Vancamp is once again Sharon Carter in this week’s episode, and while she has a good run helping out the team, she, unfortunately, is attacked by zombie Captain America before being blown up from the inside by Hope.
In Peter Parker’s “So You Want to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse” video, she is known as Sharon “The Blond Bond” Carter and her skills are listed as “spycraft, first aid, and eulogies.”
Kurt – David Dastmalchian
David Dastmalchian is back as the “Resident Weirdo” Kurt and is one of the stars of Peter Parker’s “So You Wanna Survive The Zombie Apocalypse” video. His skills are listed as “languages, Slavic folklore, and crime.”
Peter Parker / Spider-Man – Hudson Thames
While Peter Parker is one of the main characters of this week’s episode, Tom Holland does not reprise his role as Spider-Man. Instead, Hudson Thames takes on the legendary role. Thames was previously seen in Mad Men, I think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and more.
Ebony Maw – Tom Vaughan-Lawlor
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is once again Ebony Maw, but his arrival on Earth is short-lived after the zombie Avengers turn him into an undead nightmare as well.
Steve Rogers / Captain America – Josh Keaton
Josh Keaton, who voiced Steve Rogers in What If…?’s first episode, is back again for a short appearance as Captain America. The Avengers turning into zombies was one of the main reasons the full-blown apocalypse occurred, and Cap himself was undone by Hank Pym in tiny form.
The Watcher – Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright is once again The Watcher, but we get a brief look at his face, whereas before he was mostly a figure in the sky without an actual face. Could this evolution mean we are heading towards his role in future stories being expanded? Only time will tell.
Zombies
This week’s episode of Marvel’s What If…? was filled with zombified versions of our favorite heroes and villains, and while some of them had voice actors behind them, others just made an undead showing without words. These include Wanda Maximoff, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Wong, Cull Obsidian, and the Mad Titan himself – Thanos. Unfortunately, for this universe, Thanos still has the Infinity Gauntlet.
What If…? Episode 4 Cast: What If… Doctor Strange Lost His Heart Instead of His Hands?
Doctor Strange – Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch returned to play Dr. Stephen Strange M.D. — aka Sorcerer Supreme for Earth — in this twisted tale of obsession and regret.
Christine Palmer – Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams once again played Christine Palmer, Stephen Strange’s love interest, marking her first return to the MCU since 2016’s Doctor Strange. McAdams will be back as Christine again in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The Ancient One – Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton reprised her role as The Ancient One, once again attempting to guide Doctor Strange through obstacles and temptation that could lead to ruin and cosmic devastation.
Wong – Benedict Wong
Benedict Wong was back as Doctor Strange’s trusty Sanctum Sanctorum sidekick, Wong, though ultimately no one would be spared in Strange’s dark and warped quest to reclaim the love of his life.
O’Bengh – Ike Amadi
A new character in the MCU, O’Bengh was the guardian of the Lost Library of Cagliostro. He eventually died of old age after Strange spent centuries learning forbidden knowledge and absorbing the energy of other magical beings.
In the comics, there is speculation that Cagliostro’s real name was O’Bengh.
Christine Everhart – Leslie Bibb
Leslie Bibb can be heard briefly as reporter Christine Everhart, who appeared in both Iron Man and Iron Man 2 (as well as a viral videos released by Marvel preceding Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War).
What If…? Episode 3 Cast: What If… The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?
Nick Fury – Samuel L. Jackson
Nick Fury takes center stage in the third episode of Marvel’s What If…?, and Samuel L. Jackson returns to voice the MCU character he’s been playing since 2008’s Iron Man. Unfortunately for this version of Nick Fury, his idea to form the Avengers didn’t go quite as planned.
Hank Pym / Yellow Jacket – Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas returns to play Hank Pym, but in this alternate universe he ends up becoming one of the episode’s true villains after his daughter Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly/The Wasp in the MCU!) passed away on a S.H.I.E.L.D. mission. Instead of becoming Ant-Man, he becomes Yellow Jacket, as he did in the comics.
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow – Lake Bell
Scarlett Johansson, who is currently in a legal battle with Disney over a Black Widow contract breach, did not return to play Black Widow in this show. Instead, actress and comedian Lake Bell lent her voice to the iconic role. Bell and her voice have appeared in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, the Harley Quinn TV series, Cryptozoo, and much more.
Tony Stark / Iron Man – Mick Wingert
Much like Black Widow, Iron Man also has a new voice actor as Robert Downey, Jr. did not return to play the character that kicked off the entire MCU. Instead, Mick Wingert took up the role. Wingert has played Tony Stark in a ton of Marvel shows, including Marvel Future Avengers, Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more.
Agent Coulson – Clark Gregg
Clark Gregg once again becomes Agent Coulson in Marvel’s What If…? and is rightfully very impressed with Thor and his hair.
Brock Rumlow – Frank Grillo
Frank Grillo is back as Brock Rumlow and adds Marvel’s What If…? to the list of his MCU appearances that also include Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: Civil War, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Clint Barton / Hawkeye – Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner, who already appeared in the first episode of Marvel’s What If…? alongside Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, returns for a bigger role in episode 3. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have quite a happy ending. Luckily, he will reprise the role once more in his own Disney+ show later this year.
Betty Ross – Stephanie Panisello
The role of Betty Ross has changed once more as Hulk’s Jennifer Connolly nor The Incredible Hulk’s Liv Tyler returned to reprise their role. Instead, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness’ Stephanie Panisello makes her MCU debut in Marvel’s What If…?
Bruce Banner / Hulk – Mark Ruffalo
Bruce Banner and The Hulk make their Marvel’s What If…? debut in episode three. Although it’s always great to see Mark Ruffalo take on the role again, he returns for a story that sees an unfortunate end to his character.
Loki – Tom Hiddleston
Hot off the season finale of Marvel’s Loki, Tom Hiddleston appears again in the MCU as Loki in Marvel’s What If…? In this alternate universe, he comes to get his vengeance after the fall of Thor, and also takes the opportunity to become the ruler of Earth. Not bad for a day’s work.
General Ross – Mike McGill
Although William Hurt played General Thunderbolt Ross in Black Widow, Mike McGill was the one who voiced the short appearance by the general in this episode. McGill was recently seen in Bosch, Grace and Grit, Shameless, Grey’s Anatomy, and more.
Lady Sif – Jaimie Alexander
Much like Loki, Lady Sif returns to the MCU after making an appearance in Marvel’s Loki. Even better, Jaimie Alexander returns to lend her voice. Alexander is also set to be a part of Thor: Love and Thunder.
Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel – Alexandra Daniels
Although she is only seen for a brief moment at the very end, Captain Marvel answers Nick Fury’s call and heads to Earth to help her old friend. Instead of Brie Larson, Mothers and Daughters’ Alexandra Daniels plays the hero also known as Carol Danvers.
Thor
Thor and his majestic hair appeared in this episode of Marvel’s What If…?, but the God of Thunder had no lines, so there was no chance for Chris Hemsworth to return… yet.
What If…? Episode 2 Cast: What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?
Star-Lord T’Challa – Chadwick Boseman
Before his death in 2020, Chadwick Boseman recorded his final lines for T’Challa for Marvel’s What If…?, but in this version he plays Star-Lord T’Challa instead of Black Panther. While he made his debut as this alternate version of his character in the second episode of the series, there are still more episodes with his character in them.
Nebula – Karen Gillan
Karen Gillan returns to voice Nebula, and this time she is sporting some flowing blonde hair and, thanks to T’Challa becoming Star-Lord and helping turn Thanos into a “good guy,” she is free to live another life that is not helping her adopted father balance the universe.
Yondu – Michael Rooker
Michael Rooker once again becomes Yondu in this episode of What If…? and sees first-hand what happens when he leaves important jobs to other people. Since his Ravagers picked up T’Challa instead of Peter Quill, the trajectory of his life has changed greatly as well.
Korath – Djimon Hounsou
In a hilarious twist to the beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy, Djimon Hounsou returns to play Korath, who is this time a huge fan of Star-Lord and ends up joining his team of Ravagers.
King T’Chaka – John Kani
The life of King T’Chaka is altered when his son goes missing one day, but that doesn’t stop him from searching the stars for T’Challa in the years that followed. John Kani returns as the voice of the king, and we get to see younger and older versions of him in the episode.
Thanos – Josh Brolin
In perhaps the most shocking twist of all, Josh Brolin returns to play a Thanos who has decided to give up on his idea of wiping out half of all living things in the universe. He has joined Star-Lord T’Challa and the Ravagers and, while he still jokes about his original plan being efficient, he has turned into a much more friendly Mad Titan.
The Collector – Benicio del Toro
Benicio del Toro once again plays The Collector, a character who has seen his stock rise after not having to deal with Thanos in his quest for the Infinity Stones. He is a force to be reckoned with in this alternate timeline, but ultimately is no match for T’Challa and his friends.
Ego – Kurt Russell
While it is but a brief cameo, Kurt Russell once again becomes Ego and decides to pay a visit to his son Peter Quill at a Dairy Queen. Quill of course never ended up becoming Star-Lord in this reality, though what this meeting with Ego means for him is unclear (for now).
Kraglin – Sean Gunn
Hot off his role as Weasel in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, the director’s brother Sean Gunn lends his voice once more to Kraglin.
Taserface – Chris Sullivan
Chris Sullivan is also back as the Ravager Taserface, joining Star Lord T’Challa and the rest of their crew across the stars.
Howard the Duck – Seth Green
Howard the Duck, who makes his fourth MCU appearance following the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films and Avengers: Endgame, is once again voiced by Seth Green and looking classy as ever.
Okoye – Danai Gurira
Danai Gurira has only one line, but it’s always a treat to hear and see Okoye – the general of the Dora Milaje – get more screen time.
Carina – Ophelia Lovibond
In this alternate story, Carina was never killed as she never tried to use the Power Stone against The Collector. What’s more, she gets some karmic justice against her captor.
Proxima Midnight – Carrie Coon
Carrie Coon once again plays Proxima Midnight, who joined forces with The Collector after Thanos had a change of heart.
Ebony Maw – Tom Vaughan-Lawlor
As with Proxima Midnight, Ebony Maw was on the look-out for new work following Thanos joining the Ravagers, and he joined The Collector just as the other members of the Black Order did.
Drax – Fred Tatasciore
Drax the Destroyer shows up in this episode of Marvel’s What If…?, but now he is… Drax the Bartender? While it’s great to see Drax again, he was voiced by Fred Tatasciore instead of Dave Bautista, who has said he was not asked to return to play his MCU character.
Corvus Glaive – Fred Tatasciore
Fred Tatasciore also plays Corvus Glaive from the Black Order, replacing the original voice actor Michael James Shaw.
Young T’Challa – Maddix Robinson
Young T’Challa only showed up in a deleted scene in Black Panther, but he gets a bigger role in Marvel’s What If…? In this episode, he was played by Maddix Robinson instead of Ashton Tyler.
Peter Quill – Brian T. Delaney
Peter Quill’s destiny was changed the most when the Ravagers picked up T’Challa instead of him. While we only see him for a brief moment, we see that his new fate was to work at Dairy Queen until his Dad pays him a visit. Chris Pratt did not return to voice this version of Peter Quill, and he was instead voiced by Brian T. Delaney.
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, and Cull Obsidian
Queen Ramonda of Wakanda, Shuri, and Cull Obsidian all make an appearance in this episode of Marvel’s What If…? but they have no lines so there were no returning or new actors for their characters.
What If…? Episode 1 Cast: What If… Captain Carter Were The First Avenger?
Captain Carter/Peggy Carter – Hayley Atwell
Hayley Atwell voices Peggy Carter in a story focusing on what would happen if she was the one who became a super soldier. Steve Rogers still joins the fight with a suit made by Howard Stark. Chris Evans did not return for this episode of What If…?, and instead Josh Keaton lent his voice to Skinny Steve Rogers.
Skinny Steve Rogers – Josh Keaton
Despite many of the other MCU characters returning to reprise their roles, Chris Evan did not return for What If…? to voice Skinny Steve Rogers. Instead, Josh Keaton became this alternate version of Steve. This voice actor is also known for his roles as Peter Parker in the animated The Spectacular Spider-Man series, Tony Stark in Marvel’s Iron Man VR, and many other projects.
Dr. Erskine – Stanley Tucci
Stanley Tucci voices Abraham Erskine, the only scientist to perfect the Super Soldier Serum. In this version of the story, he lives!
Howard Stark – Dominic Cooper
Dominic Cooper is back as (the younger version of) Howard Stark, who is the father of Iron Man himself, Tony Stark. In this story, Howard Stark created the first Iron Man armor in the Hydra Stomper.
Colonel Flynn – Bradley Whitford
While Bradley Whitford’s Colonel John Flynn has not been in a big MCU film, he was part of the Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter, which was one of a series of shorts that expanded on the MCU world.
Johann Schmidt / Red Skull – Ross Marquand
Hugo Weaving did not return in What If…? to reprise his role as Red Skull, and instead Marvel brought back Ross Marquand, who played Red Skull in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Dum Dum Dugan – Neal McDonough
Neal McDonough is back to voice Howling Commando Dum Dum Dugan from The Winter Soldier (and Agent Carter).
Bucky Barnes – Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan voices Bucky Barnes. In this alternate tale, Bucky was not experimented on by Arnim Zola and therefore never became The Winter Soldier.
Arnim Zola – Toby Jones
Toby Jones has returned to the MCU to voice Arnim Zola, and his fate is still very tied to Bucky Barnes, even if he isn’t as successful in this timeline.
Nick Fury – Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson returns to play Nick Fury and make a brief appearance at the end of the episode.
Hawkeye – Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner once again become Hawkeye in Marvel’s What If…?
The Watcher – Jeffrey Wright
Jeffrey Wright plays The Watcher, a celestial being assigned to watch over Earth and its surrounding solar system. He’ll serve as the narrator for the series each week.
For even more on the show, check out our article on how to watch Marvel’s What If…?, get the lowdown on these nine crazy What If…? comics storylines, or catch up on how Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa becomes Star-Lord in the series.