As well as dipping his toes into the DC Universe with his role as Commissioner Gordon in The Batman, actor Jeffrey Wright is soon to venture into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he lends his voice to Uatu the Watcher in the upcoming Disney+ animated series Marvel’s What If…?.
Speaking to Disney’s D23 Magazine, Wright has shared a few comments on his role as the cosmic being, as well as teasing the possibilities for the character’s future (the show has already been renewed for a second season):
“In the comics, he’s an observer—and then some. Here, in the first season, he starts off as an observer, but he gradually becomes more compelled by what he watches. There are infinite possibilities with this series within the MCU. I’m open to all of it. One thing I think we’re realizing with Marvel and Kevin Feige’s leadership is that these are broad, broad canvasses they’re painting on. I don’t even try to anticipate, so I’m just open to all of it – as The Watcher would be.”
The Watchers have already made their MCU debut, appearing alongside Stan Lee in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, so perhaps Wright’s Utau won’t be restricted solely to animation going forward? In the meantime though, we’ll see the character this August when What If…? premieres on Disney+.
‘What If…?’ flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Coming to Disney+ in summer 2021, Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU, featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles.”
Marvel’s What If…? sees Jeffrey Wright (The Batman) voicing The Watcher alongside a who’s who of MCU stars including Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Josh Brolin as Thanos, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter, Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Taika Waititi as Korg, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, Djimon Hounsou as Korath, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, Michael Rooker as Yondu, and Frank Grillo as Crossbones.
Marvel’s What If…? is set to premiere on Disney+ in August.
Via The Direct