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Who Are the Avengers In What If...? Season 3
Who Will Be on the New Avengers Team?
When Will the Avengers Finally Return to the MCU?
What If...? is back for its third and final season, which aims to introduce more off-kilter storylines based on alternate versions of the Sacred Timeline (Earth-616), the main world in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the MCU inches closer to the end of the Multiverse Saga in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the events of this animated anthology series could prove to be more important than audiences initially thought, especially as the multiverse becomes even more unruly and unpredictable. With only a few episodes left, What If...? could drop several hints about what audiences should expect from upcoming installments of the MCU.
The season three premiere of What If...? introduces a world where Bruce Banner accidentally created an even more dangerous monster after trying to rid himself of the Hulk. The birth of this new Apex Hulk and its many gamma-radiated minions led to an all-out war that left the other original Avengers dead. With the loss of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, a new generation of superheroes rises to take their place, led by Sam Wilson as Captain America. Although this team hails from an alternate universe, its members could be a sneak peek at who audiences should expect to comprise the new Avengers lineup in the MCU.
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Who Are the Avengers In What If...? Season 3
Sam Wilson Leads the Mecha-Avengers In What If...?
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What If...? introduces a more dangerous Hulk, who leads an army of mutated beasts against a mechanized version of the Avengers in a battle known as the Gamma War. The conflict leaves Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor, and Hawkeye dead. With the Hulk himself officially out of action after causing the conflict, the duty of protecting Earth forced a new generation of superheroes to take up the mantle of the Avengers. Led by Sam Wilson's Captain America, the Mech-Avengers managed to defeat Apex Hulk and his minions, though it would later be revealed that their struggle was far from finished.
What If...? picks up ten years after the end of the Gamma War, with Sam Wilson leading a new Avengers team. The new lineup of Avengers includes characters from all phases and all corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, uniting new and old heroes alike on the same team. Joining their ranks from the current MCU Avengers lineup are Captain America and the Winter Soldier, who operate out of the main helicarrier. Monica Rambeau's Photon is also a prominent member of the team, acting as a solid advisor to Sam and motivating him to make the difficult choices that ultimately benefit the world. Melina Vostokoff, a.k.a. the Iron Maiden, and Alexei Shostakov, a.k.a. the Red Guardian, operate one mechanized suit together, representing their home nation. Meanwhile, fan-favorite characters Moon Knight, Nakia, and Shang-Chi round out the rest of the team. With a little bit of help from Bruce Banner, the team bands together to defeat Apex Hulk and save the world once and for all.
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Who Will Be on the New Avengers Team?
A New Generation of Heroes Is Rising in the MCU
Although this episode of What If...? occurs in a different timeline, it could drop some hints regarding the next Avengers lineup in the Sacred TImeline. Certain elements of this multiversal Avengers team will most likely be adapted in the MCU moving forward, including Sam Wilson's new leadership role. Although it is unlikely that heroes like the Red Guardian and the Iron Maiden will join the Avengers, it wouldn't be at all surprising if others, particularly Moon Knight, Photon, and Shang-Chi, were all integrated into the team in Doomsday or Secret Wars. These characters stand out as highlights introduced in the Multiverse Saga and will therefore become prominent figures in the next MCU saga. Nakia has never been associated with the Avengers in the past, even sitting out of the Battle of Wakanda during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, but has proven to be a fan-favorite part of the Black Panther franchise. She could therefore eventually join the team, perhaps adopting a more heroic version of her alter-ego Malice from the comics. The Winter Soldier, on the other hand, has been an Avenger in the past and, though he is joining the Thunderbolts in their upcoming film, could return to help the team in future conflicts.
Upcoming MCU Films
Film
Release Date
Captain America: Brave New World
February 14, 2025
Thunderbolts*
May 2, 2025
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
July 25, 2025
Avengers: Doomsday
May 1, 2026
Spider-Man 4
July 24, 2026
Avengers: Secret Wars
May 7, 2027
Armor Wars
TBA
Blade
TBA
Black Panther 3
TBA
read more
Sam Wilson's Avengers team will likely also include several MCU heroes who don't show up as part of the What If...? lineup. With the retirement of original members like Thor, Hawkeye, and Hulk on the horizon, the team will need new members to take their places. As one of the most powerful superheroes in the MCU at the moment, Captain Marvel will almost certainly join the team. Spider-Man will also likely play a prominent role in the next iteration of the Avengers, especially the popularity of his character following the Infinity Saga. The team may also find a Hulk replacement in the likes of She-Hulk or even Red Hulk, though both of these characters' futures in the MCU seem unclear. Fans should also expect Shuri to continue her brother's legacy by contributing her skills as the Black Panther to the next Avengers team. Even Chris Pratt's Star-Lord could find his way onto the next Avengers team following his decision to return to Earth at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Of course, Doctor Strange and Wong will likely continue to play prominent roles on the team, bringing a bit of magic to Earth's Mightiest Heroes' aid.
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When Will the Avengers Finally Return to the MCU?
The Avengers Are About to Return
Hopefully, fans won't have to wait until Avengers: Doomsday to see the next lineup of the MCU's premiere superhero team. It may be hard to believe, but it has been over five years since the team was last seen in action, with Avengers: Endgame featuring their latest appearance. Since then, audiences have gotten very few hints about the status, lineup, and future of the Avengers. Certain hints from various series and movies suggest that the Avengers aren't currently active in the MCU and will therefore need to be reassembled in the next year or two leading up to the end of the Multiverse Saga.
Upcoming MCU Series
Title
Release Date
What If...? Season 3
Now Airing
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
January 29, 2025
Daredevil: Born Again
March 4, 2025
Ironheart
June 24, 2025
Eyes of Wakanda
August 6, 2025
Marvel Zombies
October 2025
Wonder Man
December 2025
Vision Quest
2026
read more
The Avengers will most likely return during the events of Captain America: Brave New World. Some trailers for the upcoming film include a scene in which Harrison Ford's President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross asks Sam Wilson to reform the Avengers. However, given Ross's shady morality, it is more than likely that he has ulterior motives for bringing the Avengers back. Even if Sam ultimately has to defy the president's command, the movie will most likely end with him bringing together the next iteration of the team. Fans should expect to know more about the Avengers lineup by the end of Brave New World.
The MCU is building up to the introduction of the new Avengers lineup, led by a new Captain America. Although there is still time for speculation about who might join Earth's Mightiest Heroes in their next adventure, the franchise is dropping hints about which characters to expect. What If...? imagines great and fantastical worlds, but it also may give clues about what audiences should expect in the MCU's future.
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What If...?
Superhero
Animation
Action
Adventure
Exploring pivotal moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and turning them on their head, leading the audience into uncharted territory.
Release Date August 11, 2021
Finale Year November 30, 2023
Cast Samuel L. Jackson , Stanley Tucci , Michael Douglas , Sean Gunn , Mark Ruffalo , Karen Gillan , Tom Hiddleston , Jeffrey Wright , Michael B. Jordan , Toby Jones , Sebastian Stan , Paul Rudd , David Dastmalchian , Natalie Portman , Josh Brolin , Dominic Cooper , Jeff Goldblum , Hayley Atwell , Djimon Hounsou , Chadwick Boseman , Taika Waititi , Chris Hemsworth , Neil McDonaugh , Jeremy Renner , Michael Rooker
Rating
Seasons 3
Creator
Producer
Production Company
Writers Ashley Bradley , Matthew Chauncey
Number of Episodes
Streaming Service(s) Disney+
Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe
Directors Bryan Andrews
Showrunner Ashley Bradley
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