Every MCU Actor Replaced In What If Episode 2 (And Who Plays Who Now)

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Marvel’s What If…? episode 2.

Marvel’s What If…? episode 2 features a number of returning MCU characters, and while many are voiced by the same stars who first brought them to life in live action, a few have been recast. The new Disney+ series explores the various branching timelines of the Marvel multiverse, showing glimpses of universes fully changed by nexus events. What If…? episode 2, “What if… T’Challa Became Star-Lord?” spends most of its time in the Guardians of the Galaxy corner of MCU lore, featuring the return of some fan-favorite characters.

Many established MCU stars returned to reprise their roles in What If…? Hayley Atwell (Captain Peggy Carter), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) are just a few of the returning voices in What If…? episode 1, and more familiar actors voice their old characters in episode 2 as well. Josh Brolin (Thanos), Kurt Russell (Ego), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Michael Rooker (Yondu), and Benicio del Toro (the Collector) are among the returning MCU cast members inWhat If…? episode 2. And of course, the late Chadwick Boseman voices the character of T’Challa, having recorded his lines before he passed away.

Still, not every character in Marvel’s What If…? is voiced by their original MCU actor. Scheduling complications and expired contracts or insufficient contracts mean some beloved characters had to be recast, but with the show’s animated style and the sheer talent of professional voice actors, it can be hard to tell who’s new. Here’s every MCU star who didn’t return in What If…? episode 2 and who voices their characters.

Dave Bautista No Longer Plays Drax

Drax the Destroyer returns in What If…? episode 2 as Drax the Bartender, a more mild-mannered version of the character whose wife and daughter survived thanks to T’Challa’s Star-Lord. However, Dave Bautista doesn’t return to voice Drax this time around. Instead, the Guardian of the Galaxy is played by voice acting legend Fred Tatasciore, who’s voiced hundreds of characters – including Marvel heroes like Hulk and Red Guardian – across film, TV and even video games.

Michael James Shaw No Longer Plays Corvus Glaive

Thanos’ Black Order appears as antagonists in What If…? episode 2, though the new timeline sees them working for the Collector instead of for Thanos. One of the Order’s members, Corvus Glaive, isn’t voiced by his original Avengers: Infinity War actor Michael James Shaw. Instead, Glaive is played by Tatasciore, whose versatility clearly speaks for itself, even in just one episode.

Chris Pratt No Longer Plays Star-Lord

The final shot of What If…? episode 2 shows Peter Quill as a young adult, working a dead-end job on Earth – the result of not being abducted by Yondu as a child. However, Chris Pratt doesn’t return to play his MCU character in the animated series. Instead, prolific video game voice actor Brian T. Delaney (Halo 5: Guardians, Fortnite) plays the old Star-Lord in Marvel’s What If…? episode 2.

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

About The Author

Rick Stevenson
(1221 Articles Published)

Rick Stevenson is a writer, editor and performer based in Brooklyn, NY. He’s written on TV, film and games for over six years, in addition to assorted stints in bookselling, carpentry, and TV production. Rick studied writing at the College of William & Mary and Oxford University, and can report with some authority that they are both old. He lives and dies for Avatar: The Last Airbender.

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