Ultron’s Return Sets Up The Guardians Of The Multiverse

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s What If...? episode 7.

The Guardians of the Multiverse could form as a response to Ultron’s rise in Marvel’s What If…? For months now, this group has been the subject of various rumors and teases related to the animated Disney+ series, but nothing about their debut has been outright confirmed by Marvel as of yet. They don’t exist in the comics, but their name has been tied to leaked merchandise for the show, plus a group of heroes has been seen battling Ultron in trailers.

So far, every episode of Marvel’s What If…? has been a contained story, with each one centering on different realities. Similar to the original comic and its connection to the wider Marvel Universe, What If…? episodes play with alternate scenarios of real events that happened in the MCU’s history. Due to the nature of the show and the idea it’s based on, the only link between the episodes is Uatu the Watcher, who has the ability to observe all timelines. This too is consistent with the comics’ approach. However, the series may be about to diverge from its current path in a huge way. The surprise ending of Marvel’s What If…? episode 8 could be a tease at a big crossover.

Somehow, Ultron has just burst onto the scene – but he’s not at all the same villain that battled Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in taken over the Vision’s body, but he’s also gathered all six of the Infinity Stones, thus setting him up to be an all-powerful enemy. What’s not known though, is who he’s supposed to fight. Here’s why the Guardians of the Multiverse may be his chosen opponents in What If…?, and who they could be.

The Watcher Was Shocked At Ultron's Return

Ultron having a complete set of Infinity Stones is bad news for Party Thor’s universe, but what’s even more worrisome is the Watcher’s reaction. As a cosmic being who sees all, there’s obviously very little that can unsettle him, but he was clearly surprised by Ultron’s arrival. The Watcher not seeing this coming is likely an indication that it wasn’t supposed to happen in this timeline, or at all. That would make sense, considering that this assumption about Ultron should be correct. The Avengers, such as the discovery of the Mind Stone and the beginning of his association with Bruce Banner. So, all things considered, there’s a very good likelihood that this new version of Ultron crossed over from a different timeline, presumably one that will be explored properly in a future What If…? story.

How Powerful Ultron Can Be With The Infinity Stones

Ultron uses the infinity Stones in What If

Any character who has Thor’s Stormbreaker swing in Infinity War. And victory may require a weapon that’s on Stormbreaker’s level, given that Vision’s body is made partially out of Vibranium.

Why The Watcher Will Break His Rules To Intervene

Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher In What If

According to the Watcher, he cannot and will not intervene in any event, but Ultron may put his devotion to this principle to the test. He didn’t stop Evil Doctor Strange from causing the end of his universe in episode 4, but it’s possible that he’ll have a different view of Ultron’s situation. In Marvel Comics, Uatu often violated his oath to help the Fantastic Four as a result of his empathy toward humanity. This element of his character may end up being at play in What If…? as well, but since it didn’t affect his actions in episode 4, it may take a combination of reasons to force his hand.

Since episode 7's Ultron is arguably an invader from another timeline, it could be that the Watcher will regard his case as an exception. After all, Ultron attacking and potentially destroying Party Thor’s universe isn’t supposed to happen, so the Watcher trying to set things right could be viewed as a justifiable response. In addition to that, it could be that Ultron is threatening multiple timelines. Party Thor’s universe could just be one of many worlds in danger of being wiped out if Ultron isn’t stopped. There may be a limit to what Uatu will permit under his watch, and if Ultron goes too far, the Watcher may feel that he has no other choice but to get involved.