The Watcher's History
Uatu, also known as The Watcher, is one of the Watchers who observes the Multiverse from his place in the Nexus of All Realities. Along with his fellow Watchers, Uatu abides by an oath that prohibits him from interfering with events occurring within the realities he observes. This changed when an Infinity Stone-wielding Variant of Ultron sensed his presence and learned of the Multiverse, thus forcing him to violate this oath in order to protect the numerous timelines threatened by the genocidal AI. Recruiting Captain Carter, Star-Lord, Doctor Strange, Erik Killmonger, Gamora, Thor and later Black Widow as the Guardians of the Multiverse, they were successful in preventing Ultron from advancing his devastation to much of the Multiverse.
Uatu recalled the event of how the Nazis started World War II and how it forced the SSR to make Steve Rogers into the super soldier known as Captain America. Due to the fracturing of the Multiverse, Uatu observed that in an alternate universe Peggy Carter chose to stay in the room and take the Super Soldier Serum instead of Rogers and became the heroine known as Captain Carter. Uatu observed that universe as events played out until Carter accidentally went into the 21st century before Uatu stated how that new universe had a new hero in Captain Carter, while explaining he could not and would not intervene as he is The Watcher.
Uatu observed an alternate universe in which the Ravagers mistakenly abducted T'Challa, thinking that he was Peter Quill. Instead of returning him, Yondu Udonta kept him as his own son, leading him to become the Star-Lord of that reality.
Uatu began by looking when T'Challa stole the Orb on Morag and recruited Korath into the Ravagers. Uatu would question if someone's nature was a result of the individual or their reality, before looking back at when T'Challa was abducted from Wakanda and brought in before the Ravagers, noting how it happened, before observing the present. Uatu observed T'Challa's time with the Ravagers until he reunited with his family in Wakanda, where Uatu noted that while his family reunion was nice, the reunion between Ego and Peter Quill that was happening concurrently would most likely mean the end of that universe.
Uatu would later wade into a new universe, where after witnessing Tony Stark's murder, Uatu talked about how in the main universe he saw the chaos of the Avengers emergence as the crucible of greatness, before returning to witness the rest of the assassination of the candidates for the Avengers Initiative by the vengeful Hank Pym, and Nick Fury's attempts to stop it. Uatu later witnessed Loki coming and helping Fury teaming up to take down Pym, Loki's takeover, and Fury beginning to form a new team of Avengers, noting that there is always hope.
Uatu later ventured into a different reality, once there Uatu said how he had seen decisions can cause new stories, heroes, and universes rise, but what would happen if the wrong choice was chosen and what consequences would come. Uatu saw as Stephen Strange and Christine Palmer went to a gala but crashed en route. While Strange survived with no scratches, Palmer was killed in the crash. Uatu noted that in this world Strange lost his "heart" instead of his hands while seeing Strange grieve.
Uatu saw as Strange became a Master of the Mystic Arts, stepped up after the Ancient One's death, and stopped Dormammu. Strange was still mourning Palmer and decided to try to bring her back by any means necessary, and using the Time Stone to try and save Palmer. Uatu later witnessed Strange and Ancient One's fight, which resulted in Strange being divided into two individuals, before Strange used the Time Stone to travel to the distant past. When Strange was absorbing creatures to gain power, Uatu said that Strange was going down the wrong path and he could interfere, but reminded himself he couldn't do that as the fate of one world doesn't outweigh the fate of all of them, and Uatu doubted Strange would even listen. Strange sensed Uatu's presence and questioned if anyone was there, to which Uatu didn't respond.
Uatu witnessed as the two Stranges fought each other, as Supreme Strange's growing powers were tearing up his universe. The original Strange lost and was absorbed by Supreme, who used his powers to bring back Christine Palmer. However, Strange realized the danger he caused with the frightened Palmer. While Strange was trying to hold the universe together, Strange saw Uatu and pleaded for him to help him fix this. Uatu allowed himself to be seen, shocking Palmer, and asked in the same way Strange "fixed" Christine, reminding Strange how he was warned.
Strange apologized, noting that the world shouldn't pay for his arrogance and told Uatu how he had read about him, describing Uatu as a god, but Uatu stated that neither of them were gods. Strange begged Uatu to punish him and spare the world and Palmer, while Uatu told Strange that if he could fix it by punishing Strange he would, but regretfully stated that he could not interfere. Uatu told Strange that he should have known that messing with events would lead to destruction before leaving Strange, as the world was condensed into a marble with only a mournful Strange as its inhabitant. Looking at the reality, Uatu noted how much one life could potentially condemn a universe.
Uatu later observed an alternate universe, in which Janet van Dyne brings a zombie virus from the Quantum Realm, and into Earth, infecting the United States of America. Uatu saw as Bruce Banner crashed into the New York Sanctum and his near escape from the zombified Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Wong, Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian. Uatu saw and narrated how Hank Pym saving Janet van Dyne caused the outbreak, and the Avengers' heroic arrival was the thing that sealed humanity's doom.
Uatu witnessed as Banner found the other survivors and their trip to find a cure from the Vision. When that plan failed he saw as the remaining survivors left to go to Wakanda to help create a cure with the Mind Stone, believing it to be a safe haven. While en route, Uatu said how even in the darkest time, heroes hold on to hope. However, as Uatu saw that Wakanda had been overrun by zombies led by a zombified Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet almost complete, he finished by saying even if that hope means the end of the universe.
Uatu later entered into another universe. He saw as Tony Stark was rescued by Killmonger in Afghanistan. After the rescue, Uatu looked back on the life of the main Tony Stark, saying how heroes were formed in darkness, their allies, and their sacrifice. Uatu then turned his attention back to the other universe and lamented that since Stark wasn't captured that Iron Man was lost, but finished by saying that Killmonger was given a new chance. Uatu saw as Killmonger rose up the ranks with Stark, and them building the Liberator Drones. He then saw as Stark and Killmonger sent James Rhodes to a black arms deal with Ulysses Klaue for Vibranium, and the intervening T'Challa.
Uatu then saw as Killmonger killed T'Challa and Rhodes, planning to cause a war between the United States of America and Wakanda. Uatu witnessed how Killmonger killed the confrontational Stark, brought the Liberator Drones to Wakanda, his fraternizing with Wakanda, and the war for Wakanda, which Killmonger "fought" for. Uatu observed how Killmonger was accepted by Wakanda, became the Black Panther, his conversation with T'Challa in the Astral Dimension, and how Shuri came to Pepper Potts to plan to take Killmonger down. Uatu said that heroes are never truly gone as they've inspired others.
Uatu later observed another alternate universe. After seeing Thor land in Las Vegas, Nevada on Earth, Uatu looked back on how Odin adopting Loki changed the main timeline and humbled Thor. Uatu revealed that in this alternate universe Odin returned Loki to Laufey instead of keeping him, making Thor a completely different person as he was raised as an only child.
Uatu watched as Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis observe Thor�??s arrival, Thor�??s humongous party on Earth with random assortment of alien species, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Captain Marvel's attempt to stop him, Foster summoning Frigga to help Thor, and Thor and his friends scrabble to clean up his party.
Uatu then watched as Thor came back to ask Foster out on a date, and after she said yes, Uatu said how everything was seeming right with this universe, and that they lived happily ever after. However, Uatu sensed something else happening, which alerted him. Visibly surprised, he said he might've spoken to soon as he saw as a portal open up in front of Thor and Foster, filled with Ultron Sentries and a Ultron possessed Vision.
Uatu then recalled how he had seen universes in their final moments of destruction, but this particular universe's destruction broke his heart. He turned his attention to Ultron's home universe and observed as Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton fended themselves from a swarm of Ultron Sentries in order to secure a hideout in Russia.
Uatu recalled how in the main timeline, Tony Stark created Ultron for peace and to be a suit of armor around the world, how Ultron created a body to possess, and how the Avengers had stolen the body from the Regeneration Cradle, thus creating Vision who become a hero. Uatu then explained how in this alternate universe, Ultron got his wish and uploaded his consciousness into the body, before obtaining access to the nuclear codes and wiping out all of humanity with nuclear explosives. Uatu then watched as Ultron killed Thor, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, and Tony Stark. He then observed Thanos's arrival onto the destroyed Earth, his death at the hands of Ultron, and Ultron obtaining the Infinity Stones from the Infinity Gauntlet. He then watched as Ultron used the Reality Stone to recreate his army before travelling into space to decimate Asgard, Sovereign, Sakaar, Ego, Xandar, and the remainder of the universe.
After Ultron was left in the desolate universe, Uatu lamented that he had become a program without a purpose. As he continued to narrate Ultron's supposed state, he commented that Ultron had reached to a previously unobtainable level of consciousness, continuing that he had become aware of someone's existence. It was at that point that Uatu realized that the someone that Ultron was now aware of was himself.
Frightened and alarmed by this, Uatu shut off his viewing point, but still heard Ultron's taunts that he would find him. Uatu, still shaken, said how he had seen everything that had, would, and could've happened, but he had no idea how that happened. Uatu said that the Multiverse was in danger because of Ultron. Uatu straightened himself out and reminded himself that Ultron was not as invincible as he believes, and that there was still hope.
He then travelled to Romanoff and Barton's location. While being invisible, Uatu found Arnim Zola's file and tried to get Barton to grab it. However, Barton didn't see it, much to Uatu's anxiety. As Uatu begged for the two to see the file, he heard Ultron taunt him again. To Uatu's relief, Romanoff found the box and Zola's file. The spies would later find Zola and upload him, however Ultron Sentries invaded, causing Clint to sacrifice himself to allow Romanoff and Zola to escape.
As Uatu became hopeful again, Ultron busted into the Nexus of All Realities and began to engage in a fight against him. After being blasted away by Ultron, Uatu told him that he didn't have to do this, but Ultron said it was his purpose before attempting to blast Uatu again with the Stones. However, Uatu brought up a force-field to protect himself and to force Ultron away. Uatu then trapped Ultron inside a circular chamber and sent him into another dimension and told himself that it shouldn't have been possible. However, Ultron reentered the Nexus and reminded Uatu that anything was possible, before slamming Uatu out of the Nexus into an alternate universe. Ultron then mocked Uatu, remarking how how he just stood by and watched as good and bad events took place. Uatu replied that to respect his oath, he was unable to interfere.
Uatu powered up and transformed into a golden armor, proclaiming himself as the Watcher. He then engaged Ultron in another duel, going into hand-to-hand combat. Ultron then forced Uatu into countless alternate universes in order to disorient him and then consumed a whole universe, causing Uatu to fall into another universe, landing in front of several humans who were watching footage of Steve Rogers's presidential inauguration. Ultron pointed out how creepy it was that Uatu observed people without them knowing, before Ultron beat him into other universes. Ultron then grabbed hold of Uatu's head and proceeded to kill him, but Uatu was able to get out of Ultron's grasp and escape.
Uatu transported himself to what was left of Doctor Strange's universe, the Mirror Dimension. He confessed to Strange that he was out of options on how to deal with Ultron, to which Strange told him that he had been there and had been trapped in this prison as a result. Strange then questioned if Uatu was ready to break his oath and beckoned him to announce his intention to break his oath of not interfering. Uatu questioned if he really wanted to hear it, which Strange confirmed. With the Multiverse threatened by Ultron, Uatu, to his detriment, agreed and told Strange that he needed his help.
Uatu then set out to gather his team. First he went to the first alternate universe he observed and located Captain Carter who was fighting Georges Batroc on the Lumerian Star. After making his presence known, Carter became shocked and startled at his appearance. Uatu then told her that she had been chosen by him and took her out of her universe. He then went to the next universe and found T'Challa in Missouri rescuing Peter Quill from Ego. After Quill pointed Uatu out to T'Challa, Uatu told him he was chosen and took him out of his universe. Uatu then went to another universe to Nidavellir and found Gamora and Tony Stark. After being noticed by them, Stark remarked that Gamora would wipe his mug, but Uatu told Stark that he was not apart of the mission and took Gamora away. Uatu then went to the next universe and traversed into the Citadel grabbing Erik Killmonger before he was apprehended by the Dora Milaje, Shuri, and Pepper Potts. Finally Uatu went to Thor�??s universe and found him in Las Vegas fighting against the Ultron Sentries, after they had attempted to destroy his universe. As Thor fought, Uatu tried to get his attention, but was unsuccessful, so he snatched Thor with his hand and took him to the others.
Uatu brought the team to a bar created by Doctor Strange�??s magic and appeared before them abruptly, starting them. He notified them about Ultron and his campaign to destroy the Multiverse, while Strange explained the Infinity Stones to them. Uatu told them that he initially thought he needed Strange but realized that he needed the team, dubbing them the Guardians of the Multiverse.
Uatu then witnessed as the Guardians executed their plan and travelled to an uninhabited planet. Uatu then watched as Thor alerted Ultron prematurely to their existence which resulted in Ultron attacking them. Uatu then watched as Strange summoned all the zombies from the one universe he had observed earlier to distract Ultron as the Guardians escaped to Ultron�??s universe. He then witnessed Natasha Romanoff finding them and agreeing to join them. Uatu watched as they fought against Ultron in order to keep the Soul Stone from him and their plan to destroy the Stones, but since the Infinity Crusher was designed for Gamora's universe the Stones were still intact. However, Romanoff found her motorcycle and the arrow that Arnim Zola had been transferred too. She teamed up with Carter in order for Zola to be uploaded into Ultron. Uatu then saw Zola killed Ultron and took over the vibranium body. He then saw Killmonger betraying the team, taking Ultron's armor to be in possession of the Stones. However, Zola attempted to take them back, until Strange realized that the point of the mission was to separate them from the Stones. He then put a barrier from the Mirror Dimension, trapping Killmonger and Zola in it, before Uatu shrank the barrier.
Uatu and Strange went back to Strange's Dimensions, where Strange pointed out how Uatu knew how the battle would unfold before it started. Uatu thanked Strange for helping and his Sacrifice. Strange told Uatu that it would imply that he had something to lose. Uatu told Strange that someone needed to guard Killmonger and Zola from escaping, meaning Strange would never leave. Strange accepted the task and told Uatu what are friends for.
Uatu regrouped with the Guardians and thanked them for saving the Multiverse, before allowing everyone to walk out the door back to the moment that they left. Peggy however had second thoughts since she couldn't be with Steve. Uatu told her that her time and world needed Captain Carter, so she went back to her world. Uatu then said there was one left, Natasha. She bluntly told him that she wasn't going back to her world since she was the only living thing there, Uatu told her she needed to return, but Nat pointed out that Uatu doesn't care about them, that they are stories to him. Uatu told her that was far from the truth, that he is inspired by their stories and asked her to go through the door again, but she refused. Uatu said that the door was more of a metaphor before taking Nat to the Helicarrier, where S.H.I.E.L.D., Captain America, Captain Marvel, and Nick Fury was fighting against Loki's forces. Uatu told Nat that this world's Avengers, including her were assassinated and that they could use help, Natasha obliged by taking down Loki.
Uatu looked on his team, saying that all creatures search for a place to belong, and call home. As for him, Uatu proclaimed that every universe, and story is his home, and that he will protect it to the very end.
