"What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?" is the sixth episode of Marvel's Disney+ series What If...?. It premiered on September 15, 2021. It was written by Matthew Chauncey and directed by Bryan Andrews. This episode is based on Iron Man and Black Panther.
Synospis[]
An American soldier called Killmonger rescues Tony Stark when his Humvee is attacked in Afghanistan.
Plot[]
Opening narration[]
- “Every journey has a beginning. But change one step along the way, and you could end up at a very different destination.”
- ―The Watcher
The Watcher, fully visible to the viewers, peers down in in to another reality that's different from the original. It's 2008, the time when Tony Stark has just demonstrated his Jericho missile in Afghanistan for the USA military. As his convoy is escorting him back from the test site, the Ten Rings attack. As his guards get taken out one by one, Stark hides behind a rock. The fated missile that would explode and embed shrapnel in his chest lands. However, as the countdown beeper gets faster, it is picked up and tossed away by Erik Killmonger. Making banter, Stark is escorted to safety by Killmonger.
- “Heroes are not born. They're forged in darkness. Shaped in battle. Defined by sacrifice. Without Tony Stark's fateful capture in Afghanistan, the Age of Iron Man would never come to pass. Though the man was saved, a hero was lost. And a villain was given a new chance.”
- ―The Watcher
Because he never was captured by the Ten Rings, the Watcher reveals that Iron Man will never come to be in this universe, nor will any of the heroism that would come from Stark that culmilated to his ultimate sacrifice to defeat Thanos and save the universe.
Stark gets back to America, where he holds a press conference. While making jokes at most of the questions, Stark takes the question if he learned anything after going to Afghanistan. Having seen the weapons he designed be used against soldiers of his country, Stark tells the reporters that he plans to be hit back better, bigger and harder. To this end, he has hired Killmonger to be his head of security; much to the displeasure of Happy, whom was supposed to get the job. Reporter Christine Everhart asks how Killmonger managed to be at the right place and time, to which Killmonger reveals he was in deep cover with the Ten Rings. Obadiah attempts to stop him, only for it to be revealed Killmonger uncovered evidence of Obadiah hiring the Ten Rings to kill Stark. Obadiah attempts evading arrest, only to be punched out by Happy.
Stark throws a party at his mansion, where he and Killmonger drink happily. Impressed with him, Stark wishes to promote Killmonger to COO to replace Obadiah. Killmonger is hesitant due to being more of a soldier, but Stark tells him he needs a killer; figuratively, but a literal one should work too. A skeptical Pepper leaves for the balcony, where she meets Colonel James Rhodes, whom gives a background check that shows aside from being a skilled assassin, there is nothing suspicious about Killmonger. However, Pepper is more than sure that Killmonger is only using Tony to get something.
In the basement, Stark shows off his workshop. Seeing a repulsor gun, Killmonger notes Howard Stark's motto about having a bigger stick than the enemy helps you win. Stark sourly notes it didn't work out, asking about Killmonger's father; the soldier simply says he died to gang violence. Reflecting that weapons seem to end up in the wrong hands, Killmonger remembers his thesis at MIT about an automated combat drone; but he couldn't figure out the interface problem. Stark has J.A.R.V.I.S. pull up the blueprint for Project Liberator, which is an ostentatious giant robot; Killmonger defends it was due to his love of anime. Stark tells him that at worst, they'll just end up with a really cool Gundam model. While listing off parts they need, Stark tells J.A.R.V.I.S. to send for more drinks; to hold off the hangover.
The two build a MK I model after downloading Killmonger's moves into it; J.A.R.V.I.S.'s connection allowed real time responses. However, the power source is a problem; it doesn't last. Enjoying pizza, the two brainstorm. Stark considers miniaturizing an arc reactor, but decided against it. Killmonger suggests the use of vibranium, but Stark explains his dad used the last of it (to make Captain America's shield) in World War II. Killmonger produces a ring, telling him there's more; Stark examines the mineral scan, knowing there's a guy that sells vibranium.
Stark tells Pepper that he plans to buy from Ulysses Klaue, the black market dealer; however, she tells him that Stark Industries cannot been seen colluding with him. Killmonger agrees, noting they need a kind of diplomatic cover. Stark suggests sending Rhodes, since he's part of the US Air Force and their military liaison.
At Klaue's ship, the deal is going well. Using a spear as a product sample, Klaue is assured by Rhodes that Stark has the money to cover a large purchase. However, the lights go out and all the guards are taken down. Turns out Black Panther has arrived to confiscate the vibranium and take it back. Killmonger arrived with a sonic cannon, which disrupts T'Challa's suit. Turning it to the max, Killmonger destroys his eardrums, killing his cousin. He questions why a weakened Rhodes would serve those who have oppressed African Americans, to which the colonel replies that "you gotta be a part of the system to change the system" before Killmonger kills him with T’Challa’s Panther Claws and goes to steal the vibranium, planting the sonic cannon in Rhodes’ hand. In Wakanda and America respectively, T'Challa and Rhodes are honored for their service.
An angry Stark drinks alone in the dark of his mansion as he watches King T'Chaka speak at a UN meeting. Killmonger arrives, offering the spear as a souvenir. Stark reveals that J.A.R.V.I.S. saw that Killmonger killed Rhodes and T'Challa. Killmonger thinks Stark wants him arrested, to which the billionaire states that he wants justice, not the law; he tauntingly reveals that he used Killmonger's ring to power the drone. As the drone was programmed with Killmonger's fighting style, he decided to be unorthodox, disabling the drone and tossing the spear at Stark. It fatally pins him to the wall, Killmonger admitting he hoped to not add Stark to his tally of victims. Killmonger tells Stark that even though they are similar, it is how they differ he can't see before pushing the spear deeper, killing him.
The next day, Killmonger passes off Tony’s murder as Wakandan terrorism to General Ross; however, Pepper points out J.A.R.V.I.S was disabled with its memory wiped, which can only done by someone close to Stark. Ignoring her, Ross declares that under the Patriot Act, Stark Industries now works for him; he tells Killmonger to build his drone army. As a result, Killmonger succeeds in building the Liberators and takes off to Africa.
Killmonger meets with Klaue, who leads him to the barrier of Wakanda on the dark jungle side. Double-crossing him, Killmonger murders Klaue and brings his body as an offering to the Dora Milaje, revealing his Wakandan name N'Jadaka and that he is the king's nephew through his brother N'Jobu; showing his War Dog tattoo as proof. T'Chaka welcomes him with open arms, with Queen Ramonda and Shuri skeptical. Killmonger reveals the Liberators are coming and the only way to stop them is to lure them inside Wakanda and use the shield to block the hive mind signal. At this point Ramonda is still general, not Okoye, so she decides to lead the forces of Wakanda into battle in T'Challa's memory.
The shield opens at night, revealing the city on a live fees to Ross back at base. At the palace balcony, T'Chaka, Shuri, and Killmonger watch as the king give a the order to close the shield. The plan works without a hitch, cutting Ross off from the drones. For his great deed, Killmonger is welcomed home. Killmonger activates a self-contained hive mind in the drones, blaming it on Stark. He rides into battle with the Dora Milaje, earning his aunt's trust and respect. The battle comes to a close with Wakanda winning and Killmonger chosen to become the next Black Panther. Taken to the ancestral plane as part of the ceremony, Killmonger meets T'Challa's spirit, disappointed in him for all the deceit and murder he utilized to gain power. Killmonger retorts that he did what he had to gain vengeance for the deaths of his father and all other African-descended minorities while Wakanda sat idly by. T'Challa warns his cousin that his power grabs will bring repercussions to him, in life or death.
In America, unaware of Killmonger's plan, Ross prepares to have new drones made. An annoyed Pepper goes to her office, where Shuri is waiting. She reveals evidence of all Killmonger has killed Stark, Rhodes, and T'Challa, deciding the two of them must ally to stop him.
Closing narration[]
- “Heroes are never really gone. They live forever. As do the ones they inspire to carry on the fight.”
- ―The Watcher
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher
- Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger
- Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan
- Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa/Black Panther
- Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda
- Danai Gurira as Okoye
- Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue
- Don Cheadle as Rhodey
- Paul Bettany as Jarvis
- John Kani as T'Chaka
- Leslie Bibb as Christine Everhart
- Mick Wingert as Tony Stark/Iron Man
Guest Starring[]
- Kiff VandenHeuvel as Obadiah Stane
- Beth Hoyt as Pepper Potts
- Mike McGill as General Ross
- Ozioma Akagha as Shuri
- Kimberly Bailey as Additional Voices
- June Christopher as Additional Voices
- Terri Douglas as Additional Voices
- Robin Atkin Downes as Additional Voices
- Don Fullilove as Additional Voices
- Khanya Mkhize as Additional Voices
- Michael Ralph as Additional Voices
- Justin Shaw as Additional Voices
- Debra Wilson as Additional Voices
- Matthew Wood as Additional Voices
Trivia[]
- The episode references the Iron Man film in the opening scene, which is the same as in the movie, including Tony's dialogue saying "Yeah peace, I love peace" and a soldier wants a photo with him.
- The episode references the Black Panther film, with Killmonger delivering Klaue's body to Wakanda in an almost identical scene to how he does so in the movie.
- The Watcher confirms that Tony becoming the superhero Iron Man and eventually sacrificing himself as seen in Avengers: Endgame, wouldn't have happened without him being in a distress situation as when he was kidnapped by the Ten Rings in Iron Man.
- Killmonger mentions he loves anime. This is a reference to actor Michael B. Jordan's own love of anime. Stark even jokes they may just create the world's best Gundam model.
- As this episode takes place in 2008, eight years before the events in Black Panther, Shuri is still a child.
- Paul Bettany voices J.A.R.V.I.S. for the first time since Avengers: Age of Ultron.
- This is the fourth time Tony Stark is shown dying in the MCU.
- Don Cheadle voices Rhodey in this episode, but the character was portrayed by Terrence Howard in the Iron Man film.
- Tony mentions having been hungover in the past due to Bloody Mary's, implying that at this time, he was still going through his alcoholism, something he is known for in the comics.
- The words Wakanda Forever are written on side of T'Challa's coffin, in the Wakandian language.
- T'Challa foreshadowed Killmonger's fate as he warns him that constantly stealing power will get the best of him, which came true in the final episode where Killmonger tried to steal the Infinity Stone only to fight Arnim Zola for the stone leading them to get trapped in a pocket dimension where they will fight for the stones forever.
- This is the first appearance of Pepper Potts since Avengers: Endgame, but she is not voiced by Gwyneth Paltrow.
- Pepper also seems to be the CEO of Stark Industries which happened in Iron Man 2, following Tony’s murder.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
.png "The Watcher's Report (Kidnapping of Tony Stark).png (1 MB)")
Screenshots[]
Merchandise[]
References[]
External Links[]
What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? on IMDb- What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark? on Wikipedia
