WARNING: The following contains spoilers for What If…? Season 1, Episode 2, “What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord,” streaming now on Disney+.
What If…? is one of the most exciting new corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thanks to its ability to present new realities where things played out differently, and the world had the chance to become a potentially happier place. But even in realities where most of the Marvel heroes have gained nicer paths, there are still lingering threats to be dealt with. While the reality of “What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord” is a largely happier one, it presents the chance that Ego’s plan from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has a greater chance for success.
The reality introduced in “What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord” is one where the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe is largely better for the substitution of T’Challa for Peter Quill. Yondu and the Ravagers have become a heroic force across the universe Thanks to his noble spirit and heroic leadership. The name Star-Lord is enough to impress Korath to leave Ronan’s employ and join his forces.
Even the Mad Titan himself, Thanos, has seen the error of his ways and become a more heroic figure — in turn allowing Nebula to become a more relaxed and happy young woman. Despite the Collector’s collection of artifacts hinting that some dark fate befell the Asgard of this reality, the overall galaxy has been spared a great deal of pain by T’Challa’s presence and intervention.
However, as the Watcher notes at the episode’s end, this means there’s a large loose thread that could cause serious damage to the universe. On Earth, the Peter Quill of this reality — who was never taken to space to develop the skills he would as Star-Lord — worked in a Dairy Queen near where his mother first met his father, Ego. Peter seemingly remained in the same town where his mother passed away, living an unremarkable life until Ego finally discovered where he was. Venturing through the cosmos, the episode ends with Ego revealing that he’s actually his father.
This poses the likely possibility that Ego will go about his plans for galactic assimilation, much as he did in the core universe of the MCU. The Watcher even notes this could easily become “the end of the world.” But unlike the main reality of the MCU — where Peter Quill had become something of a universal hero and leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy by the time Ego found him — Peter is just some guy from a small town instead. He likely lacks some of the resolve and capability he gained by becoming a hero, and it might be easier for Ego to sway toward his side. He won’t have the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the conflict, meaning the emotional support they provided and inspired in him will be absent.
It’s entirely possible that Ego’s plans will be far more difficult to prevent in this reality. Even in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, with the Guardians opposing him, Ego came dangerously close to accomplishing his plans to absorb entire worlds into his being. Entire worlds were at risk, creating exactly the kind of threat that T’Challa’s Ravagers tend to deal with on the regular. But even with the powerful allies he’s gained over the years in the galaxy, T’Challa will be contending with a Celestial being in the form of Ego — and the son he might be able to recruit to his cause, taking away one of the keys to defeating the original Ego. If this reality is revisited, it’ll be worth considering just how dangerous Ego’s plans really are — and if T’Challa could lead a successful campaign to stop him.
New episodes of Marvel Studios’ What If…? debut Wednesdays on Disney+.
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