Marvel Finally Made Age Of Ultron’s Title Make Sense

Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If...? episode 8.

Marvel's What If...? unleashed Ultron on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Multiverse, and now the title for Avengers: Age of Ultron finally makes sense. What If...? episode 8 was a direct follow-up to episode 7, showing Ultron (voiced by Ross Marquand) using the Infinity Stones to destroy various planets. After destroying his universe, Ultron discovers the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) and realizes there are other universes to raze as well. The pair of god-like beings engage in battle across space and time, but the Watcher is outmatched. The Watcher turns to a corrupt version of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to save the Multiverse, hoping they can take down Ultron together.

In Age of Ultron, Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr.) plan for saving the world goes awry. Ultron (voiced by James Spader in the film) is a powerful AI that Stark originally wanted to use in the wake of Loki's (Tom Hiddleston) attack on New York. Unfortunately, Ultron realizes that humans are the most significant threat and takes steps to wipe them all out. He even tries to commit global genocide, planning to use Sokovia to create a meteoric impact and wipe out life on Earth. However, the Avengers foil his plan to take on a synthesized body, and instead, the heroes create Vision (Paul Bettany). Along with the new hero, the Avengers defeat Ultron.

What If...? episode 8 finally explains the Age of Ultron title. In Age of Ultron, James Spader's robotic villain concocts a convoluted plan to wipe out life with a meteor. However, the Avengers eventually destroy him, and the MCU swiftly moves on to worry about other threats, such as Thanos (Josh Brolin). But in What If...?, Ultron successfully wipes out most of life on Earth, and his influence quickly spreads around the galaxy. By the end of the episode, the villain becomes a threat to the entire Multiverse, and the MCU justifies its Age of Ultron title.

Ultron in What If and Thanos in Infinity War

Ahead of What If...? episode 8, the Age of Ultron title didn't make sense. Ultron presented a brief threat to Earth in the sequel to The Avengers, undoubtedly causing devastating deaths and damage. But the villain hardly brought about a new age, and he's only an afterthought during the time of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. However, What If...? episode 8 lets Ultron reach his full potential. After the villain destroys Earth, the Watcher even says that the "age of Ultron was only beginning." The villain takes on a mission to destroy the entire Multiverse, undoubtedly marking a distinct chapter in the history of the MCU. In fact, it could be the end of the MCU altogether.

If anything, the episode makes Age of Ultron even worse. In Age of Ultron, Spader's Ultron fails in nearly every aspect of his plan. What's more, his plan is terrible. After failing to cause a nuclear strike on the world, Ultron's backup plan becomes trying to create a mass extinction by crashing a city into the Earth. It winds up being more about villainous theatrics than actually causing devastation. However, What If...? makes it clear that Ultron is the greatest threat the MCU has ever faced. He even slices Thanos in half at one point, quickly taking the Infinity Stones without a second thought. Avengers: Age of Ultron didn't live up to its title character, and What If...? makes that painfully evident.

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Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.