What If…? may have started with a fun series of alternate realities – but has suddenly transformed into something altogether more epic. The most recent episode has introduced a new villain that not only defeats the Avengers but makes even the deadliest MCU Big Bads look like small fry by comparison.
Spoilers for What If…? episode 8 follow…
What If…’s deviation on Marvel lore sees Ultron take control of Vision’s body (a plan that was foiled in the MCU during Avengers: Age of Ultron) to wreak havoc on the planet. His initial plan involves the successful launch of thousands of nukes to raze the Earth – and that’s just the beginning.
The so-called Ultra-Vision also takes possession of the Infinity Stones and slices Thanos in half without skipping a beat in one climactic scene. From there, he takes dominion everywhere from Asgard to Xandar, but sets his sights even higher.
At the peak of his powers, Ultra-Vision senses The Watcher’s presence, and begins to chase him over the entire multiverse. He eventually subdues Jeffrey Wright’s omniscient being, but not before eating a universe whole, Galactus-style. It’s fair to say there aren’t any strings on Ultron anymore.
Simply put, the MCU has never seen a villain on Ultra-Vision’s level. He wipes out the Earth, defeats Thanos, conquers worlds, and even has the multiverse at his feet. Unless he’s stopped – the episode’s ending sets that downfall in motion – then there’s every chance the one-time Stark invention could end up dooming all of reality.
For more on what’s still to come in the MCU, check out our comprehensive guide to Marvel Phase 4.
Netflix is rebooting Scooby-Doo as a live-action series from the producer of Supergirl and The Flash centered around a "supernatural murder" at a summer camp
Captain Planet is back after 33 years with a "sexy" makeover and a message that's as important as ever: "Reality has gotten a lot less subtle"
