What If…? Episode 1 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character

The biggest selling point for Marvel’s What If…? is the invitation to see already familiar MCU characters in different roles thanks to the multiverse. As the trailers promised immediately, fans would get to see Peggy Carter reimagined as an Elseworld Captain America, the arrival of Marvel’s Zombies, and the return of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa, but as Star-Lord, rather than Wakanda’s protector Black Panther. Because of that, there are lots of returning MCU characters in every episode, as well as some new voice actors to throw into the mix.

Episode 1 of the latest of Disney+’s MCU TV shows offers a tantalizing bridge between the events of Loki and Doctor Strange 2’s Multiverse of Madness. Essentially, the set-up allows for infinite scope into the wildest ideas Marvel’s creative team could possibly fathom. The early episodes see the reimagining of characters as huge as Tony Stark, Thanos, Steve Rogers, Drax, and The Collector (as confirmed by the trailers), with some incredible story moments designed to reward fans who have watched the MCU since its inception.

Related: Is Marvel’s What If Canon? The Show’s MCU Connections Explained

As each episode (initially at least) is set up as an anthology story, the cast changes almost completely each week, which is great for the show’s pace. Packing in new characters, returning MCU actors (including one from a near-forgotten One Shot), and one very notable replacement headline actor, here’s the full cast and character guide for What If…? episode one.

Every New & Replacement Actor In What If…? Episode 1

Josh Keaton – Skinny Steve Rogers/Hydra Stomper

Despite rumors of his MCU return in Phase 4, Chris Evans did not return in What If…? to voice Steve Rogers – it specifically “Skinny Steve Rogers” – as he’s billed in episode 1. Instead, voice actor Josh Keaton replaces him. He’s previously worked on Marvel projects including the animated Spider-Man as Norman Osborn, Marvel’s Iron Man VR as Tony Stark, and Avengers Assemble as Ant-Man. He also has a number of animated DC projects under his belt, as well as Ben 10 and Disney’s Hercules.

Jeffrey Wright – The Watcher

Jeffrey Wright appears in every episode of What If…? as The Watcher, the all-powerful cosmic entity who vows to oversee the events of the MCU multiverse while never interfering. He acts as the narrator of each episode, bookending each. Wright is a prolific actor known for Westworld and as Felix Leiter in Daniel Craig’s Bond movies. He also has The Batman in 2022, in which he’ll play Jim Gordon, and before that will pull on the cowl himself for Batman: The Audio Adventures for HBO Max.

Bradley Whitford – Colonel Flynn

While Bradley Whitford’s Flynn may appear to be a new character for What If…? a different version of him appeared in Marvel One Shot Agent Carter, in which he was one of the commanding officers of the Strategic Scientific Reserve, which formed part of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s foundation. Here he’s a military man, basically replacing Tommy Lee Jones’ Colonel Chester Phillips who appeared in The First Avenger. Whitford appeared in Get Out, The Cabin In The Woods, and more recently The Handmaid’s Tale.

Related: Every MCU Death Fakeout (So Far)

Returning MCU Actors In What If…? Episode 1

Captain Carter/Peggy – Hayley Atwell

Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter returned to the MCU having seen her own show – Agent Carter – unceremoniously dropped out of canon after its cancellation. This time, she’s the main event, taking the place of Steve Rogers in Dr Erskine’s super-soldier experiment out of necessity when the MCU’s Captain America is shot. Carter is a beefed-up, smack-talking version of Carter, who wields a shield and the MCU’s first version of the Sword of Might. Alongside her MCU appearances (most recently in Avengers: Endgame) Atwell has appeared in the likes of Christopher Robin, Peter Rabbit 2, and has been cast in Mission: Impossible 7 & 8.

Bucky Barnes – Sebastian Stan

Having appeared as Bucky Barnes AKA The Winter Soldier as recently as in Disney+’s second MCU TV show, The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, Sebastian Stan returns to show what Bucky would have been like without Arnim Zola’s influence on his genes. The answer appears to be heroic but still snarky. Recently, Stan has appeared in The Devil All the Time, Monday, and has Pam & Tommy coming up, in which he plays legendary hellraising drummer Tommy Lee.

Howard Stark – Dominic Cooper

Reuniting with Hayley Atwell after Agent Carter, Dominic Cooper reprises his role as Howard “Father of Tony” Stark, this time stealing his own son’s greatest achievement to create the multiverse’s first Iron Man armor called The Hydra Stomper. This Stark is an active field presence, despite calling himself a nerd. Since bowing out of the MCU, Cooper has appeared in Warcraft: The Beginning, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, and Preacher.

Johann Schmidt/Red Skull – Ross Marquand

Having replaced the not-returning Hugo Weaving as Red Skull in Avengers: Infinity War, impressionist and actor Ross Marquand returns once more as Red Skull, offering a spot-on take on Weaving’s lilting German accent from Captain America: The First Avenger. Alongside his duties as the Guardian of the Soul Stone, Marquand has appeared in American Dad, Invincible, and The Walking Dead as Aaron.

Related: Is Marvel’s What If? For Kids: How Violent & Gory Is It?

Arnim Zola – Toby Jones

Largely limited to a defiant stance against Captain Carter and a single, alarmed swear word, Toby Jones’ Arnim Zola returns in What If…? as the key to finding Bucky Barnes when he’s captured. Jones has previously played Zola in both The First Avenger, The Winter Soldier, and Agent Carter. He has a role in Indiana Jones 5, and has recently appeared in the likes of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and Atomic Blonde.

Dr. Erskine – Stanley Tucci

Though he was killed off in The First Avenger, Stanley Tucci’s Dr. Abraham Erskine returns to the MCU as the grandfather of the super-soldier serum. No longer assassinated, he lives to see Peggy Carter become Captain Carter. Oddly, he looks markedly different to Tucci in real life. The veteran actor has recently appeared in The Witches, Jolt, and Central Park as Bitsy Brandenham. He has The King’s Man and the mysterious spy series Citadel upcoming.

Dum Dum Dugan – Neal McDonough

Reminding the world that the Howling Commandos are still a huge MCU missed opportunity, Neal McDonough returns for a supporting role as Dum Dum Dugan. He previously played Dugan in Agent Carter, as well as appearing in The Arrowverse as villain Damien Darhk. Later this year, he’ll appear in Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.

Nick Fury – Samuel L Jackson

Given that he’s still an MCU mainstay, Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury appearing here (and in other episodes) shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s only involved for a pre-credits stinger, but it couldn’t have been anyone else. Jackson will return as Fury in Secret Invasion and has Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle to follow up his recent work on The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard and Spiral: From the Book of Saw.

Related: Every MCU Movie & TV Show Howard The Duck Has Appeared In

Clint Barton/Hawkeye – Jeremy Renner

Alongside Nick Fury’s return, Jeremy Renner reprises his role as Hawkeye (which he’ll return for in episode 3), ahead of his own Disney+ show debuting in late 2021. Since Endgame, Renner has only appeared in Polar Squad, but has the Spawn reboot coming up in the not-too-distant future.

What If…? Episode 1 Supporting Characters & Who Voices Them

Isaac Robinson-Smith As Brick: The voice-over actor plays Brick, a hulking Hydra soldier who faces off against Captain Carter and gets resoundingly beaten for his efforts. He’s previously played Theo in Marvel’s Avengers video game and Adams in Voltron: Legendary Defender.

Darrell Hammond As Nazi Commander: Veteran SNL cast member Hammond plays the Nazi Commander who challenges Red Skull on his defiance of Hitler and winds up very quickly dead. He’s previously appeared in several Scary Movie chapters and The Last Sharknado.

Next: Every Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie

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