Top 10 Easter Eggs in Marvel’s What If Season 3

Warning: This article contains significant SPOILERS for What If…? Season 3. Marvel’s What If…? Season 3 is teeming with Easter eggs and references that highlight the captivating multiverse dynamic. As the series draws its final curtains, dedicated fans of the MCU can spot numerous variants and clever nods to the overarching Marvel Cinematic Universe. Among these references, a few standout moments truly capture the essence of this season.

This concluding season features eight compelling narratives, all skillfully narrated by Uatu the Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright). Notably, the finale presents Uatu facing his fellow Watchers regarding his repeated breaches of the vow to remain a mere observer. Keeping this context in mind, let’s delve into some of the most intriguing Easter eggs and references from Season 3 of What If…?

10 Blade as Moon Knight

Anticipating 2025’s Marvel Zombies

In Episode 8 of What If…? Season 3, a vibrant montage showcases various character variants, including Mahershala Ali’s portrayal of Blade as a new incarnation of Moon Knight. This variant is particularly exciting as it precedes Blade’s anticipated debut in the upcoming animated series, Marvel Zombies, set to premiere in 2025. Following the haunting storyline introduced in Season 1’s episode on Marvel Zombies, fans can look forward to seeing Blade animated for the first time in what promises to be an enthralling continuation.

9 Egg Jun-Fan

The Iron Fist from 1872 Comics

During Episode 6, viewers are transported to an alternate Wild West reality where Shang-Chi operates as The Ten Rings alongside Kate Bishop, a sharpshooting Hawkeye. Their mission introduces a young boy named Kwai Jun-Fan, whose father has fallen victim to a vicious crime lord’s abduction schemes. Notably, in the original comics, Kwai Jun-Fan is recognized as Iron Fist from 1878, providing a clever connection since the episode unfolds in 1872. Bishop even acknowledges the boy’s formidable “iron fists”by the episode’s conclusion.

8 Kang’s Time Sphere

Implications for Kang

At the outset of Episode 7, Captain Carter is seen navigating Kang the Conqueror’s Time Sphere, prompting speculation about the significance of this for Kang and the Council of Kangs, introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. With Marvel pivoting towards Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, this scene may insinuate that Captain Carter and her allies dealt with Kang and his variations off-screen.

7 Natasha Lyonne as Byrdie

Leading to Her Secret Fantastic Four Role

In Episodes 7 and 8 of What If…?, Natasha Lyonne lends her voice to Byrdie the Duck, the matured daughter of Darcy Lewis and Howard the Duck, previously introduced in Episode 4. This appearance hints at an interesting MCU role crafted for Lyonne, especially considering her upcoming project in Fantastic Four: First Steps. While there’s speculation about inviting her as Byrdie, it’s likely that she might portray a different character, potentially the robot HERBIE or Alicia Masters.

6 The Debut of The Hood and His Powers Before Ironheart

(Sort Of, Kind Of)

In Episode 6 of What If…?, the antagonist is unveiled as The Hood, also known as Parker Robbins. Traditionally a criminal mastermind in the comics, The Hood will make his live-action appearance in the 2025 series Ironheart, where he will be portrayed by Anthony Ramos—although the series was initially slated for a 2023 release. The episode concludes with Robbins’ Hood being defeated and replaced by Xu Xialing, who inherits the same phasing and teleportation abilities

5 MCU First Looks via Foosball

Featuring Invisible Woman, Doctor Doom, Galactus, and More

In Episode 7, Byrdie boasts a Foosball table featuring depictions of numerous Marvel heroes and villains, including characters not yet introduced in the MCU. The lineup consists of familiar faces like Thanos, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Red Skull, Kang, Hela, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch, Zemo, Mystique, Magneto, Rogue, Wolverine, She-Hulk, Captain America, Galactus, Loki, Doctor Doom, Invisible Woman, Iron Man, Beta Ray Bill, and Infinity Ultron. Infinity Ultron proves integral to Captain Carter and her team’s mission to rescue Uatu from the other Watchers.

4 Daredevil and Karen Page

At The Grandmaster’s Banquet

In Episode 4, a chaos-inducing banquet hosted by The Grandmaster features a brief appearance by Matt Murdock’s Daredevil along with Karen Page. While they emerge amongst the clamor surrounding Darcy and Howard’s unique eggs, it’s questionable whether they anticipated the unfolding shenanigans, setting the stage for laughter amidst the mayhem.

3 Scott Summers and Jean Grey

A Night in Las Vegas

Continuing the trend of remarkable animated cameos, Episode 3 features the beloved X-Men couple Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops, and Jean Grey, during a reckless chase scene involving the Red Guardian and Winter Soldier. Their quick appearance in Las Vegas underscores the animated series’ capacity to integrate iconic characters who are slated for future live-action MCU involvement.

2 Uatu the Watcher Once Aided Madisynn (Seriously)

A Fun Reference from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

In a delightful twist revealed in Episode 8, Uatu’s transgressions come to light, highlighting his numerous interferences, including those involving Strange Supreme and Captain Carter. Among the more humorous confessions is Uatu’s past aid to Madisynn (with two N’s and one Y), a character derived from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. This character’s escapades with Wong and her unfortunate run-in with demonic goats provide a humorous link to the cosmic narrative of What If…?.

1 Astra Islands

A Nod to the Original Hulk Comics

In Episode 1, viewers discover that this iteration of Bruce Banner, seeking to eradicate the Hulk, inadvertently transforms into the menacing Apex Hulk. His abode, the Astra Islands, serves as a clever homage to the original comics where Banner constructed the Absorbatron—a device capable of absorbing nuclear energy. This connection is compelling, particularly as Banner grapples with nuclear struggles in this premiere, culminating in a cataclysmic encounter with the Apex Hulk.

All episodes of What If…? Season 3 are currently available for streaming on Disney+.

Source & Images