The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is always buzzing with rumors and speculation, but sometimes a report can spark a frenzy that’s hard to contain. Just recently, fans of the God of Thunder were buzzing with excitement after a rumor surfaced claiming that Jonathan Majors, the actor who brought the iconic villain Kang the Conundrum to life in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, was being considered for a potential return to the MCU. But, it seems like this rumor was more like a cosmic storm that was just a flash in the pan.
What If…? Season 3: A Disappointing Conclusion to the Multiverse Saga
What If…? has been something of a mixed bag from the start, though that first season was mostly excellent. We could have lived without Party Thor, for example, but the debuts of Captain Carter, T’Challa Star-Lord, and Strange Supreme still rank among the best episodic television we’ve seen from Marvel Studios. Season 2 wasn’t quite as good, with some episodes stretching the premise a little too thin (“What If… Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?”) and others that were downright bad (“What If… Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster?”). Season 3, in comparison, is largely disappointing with few bright spots to make up for storytelling seemingly running on fumes. No longer a show exploring how one small change could alter everything, What If…?’s latest batch of episodes instead takes us to a series of weird and wacky realities where it feels like the mandate was to cram in as many Phase 4 and 5 characters as possible.
There’s nothing wrong with that as it’s refreshing to see new faces like Sam Wilson/Captain America, Ironheart, and Kate Bishop take centre stage; critically, the show doesn’t find rich or compelling enough stories for them. We can’t help but wonder whether that’s down to What If…? being given access to the characters before their respective MCU debuts, meaning they had to be shoehorned into random stories rather than being fully reimagined.
“What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?” is pulpy fun and a strong start to the season. The characters are interchangeable – while Moon Knight’s return is welcomed, it could have been anyone piloting his mech – but the friendship between Sam and Bruce Banner is interesting to explore. “What If… Agatha Went to Hollywood?” also impressed with a story that sees Agatha Harkness gain the powers of a Celestial even if the presence of only one Eternal seems a shame. “What If… the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?” is fine if somewhat forgettable and leans too heavily on comedy to be the team-up these two deserved. As for “What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?”, its heart is in the right place but revisiting characters from season 1’s weakest episode was certainly a choice.
Underwhelming Storytelling
“What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?” sets the tone for the rest of the season with a pulpy, action-packed story that’s more concerned with getting the characters into an interesting situation rather than exploring the consequences of their actions. The result is a fun, if forgettable, episode that feels more like a greatest hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
“What If… the Hulk Fought the Mech Avengers?” – A Pulpy Start with Promise
The first episode of the season is a strong start, but it’s also a reminder that What If…? is a show that’s more concerned with setting up its next project than exploring the complexities of its characters. In this case, the focus is on the mech suits and the action that follows, rather than the relationships between the characters.
“What If… Agatha Went to Hollywood?” is a more compelling episode, if only because it sees Agatha Harkness gain the powers of a Celestial. The presence of only one Eternal is a shame, but the result is a story that’s more focused on character development than action.
“What If… Agatha Went to Hollywood?” – A Story with Potential, but Not Fully Realized
The Agatha-centric episode is a highlight of the season, but it’s also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The story is more focused on Agatha’s journey than the larger consequences of her actions, which makes it feel more like a standalone episode than a part of a larger narrative.
“What If… the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?” is a forgettable team-up that leans too heavily on comedy. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
“What If… the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?” – A Forgettable Team-Up
The Red Guardian and Winter Soldier team-up is a highlight of the season, but it’s also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
Character Mash-Ups and Mixed Results
“What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?” is a heartwarming episode that sees Howard the Duck get married. The result is a story that’s more focused on character development than action, which makes it feel more like a standalone episode than a part of a larger narrative.
“What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?” – A Heartfelt but Misguided Attempt
The Howard the Duck episode is a highlight of the season, but it’s also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
“What If… the Emergence Destroyed the Earth?” is a bold take on the Master of Illusions, but it’s not the alternate ending to Eternals we’d hoped for.
“What If… the Emergence Destroyed the Earth?” – A Bold Take, but Not the Alternate Ending We Hoped For
The Emergence episode is a highlight of the season, but it’s also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The Disappointing Finale
The two-part finale, “What If… the Watcher Disappeared?” and “What If… What If?”, is largely disappointing. Captain Carter, Kahhori, Byrdie, and Storm assemble to battle three villainous Watchers but there’s very little substance to these episodes beyond overlong action scenes and a disappointing conclusion to Peggy Carter’s Multiversal arc.
“What If… the Watcher Disappeared?” – A Disappointing Conclusion to Peggy Carter’s Multiversal Arc
The Watcher episodes are a highlight of the season, but they’re also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The biggest let-down is the fact that even in its final year, the series does little to tie into the wider Multiverse Saga.
The Show’s Failure to Tie into the Wider Multiverse Saga
The failure to tie into the wider Multiverse Saga is a major disappointment, especially given the potential of the show. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The Future of What If…? and the Multiverse Saga
The potential for The Watcher to appear in future movies and TV shows is a major opportunity for the show, but it’s also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The Potential for The Watcher to Appear in Future Movies and TV Shows
The potential for The Watcher to appear in future movies and TV shows is a major opportunity for the show, but it’s also a reminder that the show is struggling to find its footing. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The impact on the MCU and the Future of the Multiverse Saga is a major question mark, especially given the potential of the show. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
The Impact on the MCU and the Future of the Multiverse Saga
The impact on the MCU and the Future of the Multiverse Saga is a major question mark, especially given the potential of the show. The result is a story that feels more like a Greatest Hits compilation than a genuine attempt at storytelling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our investigation into the reported return of Jonathan Majors to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has yielded a crucial clarification. Despite the initial claims, we can confidently confirm that the actor is not currently being considered for a Marvel comeback. This revelation has significant implications for fans eagerly awaiting the next installment of the franchise, as it means that any potential reprisal of Majors’ iconic character will have to wait.
The significance of this finding extends beyond the immediate excitement surrounding Majors’ potential return. It underscores the importance of fact-checking and reliable sources in the entertainment industry, where rumors and misinformation can spread like wildfire. As the MCU continues to evolve and expand, it’s crucial that fans remain vigilant and discerning in their pursuit of accurate information.
As we look to the future, it’s clear that the Marvel Universe will continue to shape-shift and surprise us with new characters, storylines, and talent. While Majors may not be part of the immediate plans, his absence will undoubtedly leave a void that will be filled by a new wave of exciting actors and stories. As we await the next chapter in the Marvel saga, one thing is certain: the future is bright, and the possibilities are endless. The game is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next.