Notice! This article contains spoilers for What If…? season 3, episode 6.
And if…?
is solely responsible for making some of the wildest cameos and variants of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
and brought back one of the most interesting versions of Thor in the MCU. And if…? is one of my favorite MCU shows, with the series finding ways to interact with and expand the MCU beyond any normal storytelling realm. Although it also debuted alongside other Multiverse stories such as Loki who explored the TVA, And if…? it goes far beyond the Sacred Timeline, and that means it can do some unique things.
The animated series saw Marvel heroes become zombies, some powerful heroes become villains, and forgotten characters had the opportunity to shine in a whole new light. And with this more open format, the show lends itself well to creativity. The kind of creativity that only exists in the Void when it comes to the MCU, as the TVA tends to keep things in order within the confines of the multiverse.
Frog Thor reappeared in the MCU after 3 years
Throg makes a return in What If…?
The Void was a concept that was first introduced in Loki season 1, and in this new plane of existence, Loki met several variants of himself. From President Loki to Kid Loki to Classic Loki and even a crocodile, Loki faces off against a host of creative alternate gods of Mischief. And, in a brief scene, the show also shows a version of Thor who is a frog trapped in a jar. This brief scene shows the animated frog jumping, but that was the end of his on-screen appearance in the MCU.
Since then, Frog Thor, also known as Throg, has been completely absent from the Multiverse Saga. Even despite the fact that Deadpool and Wolverine also explores the Void and reveals several other variants of other heroes and villains from the history of Marvel films. But now, And if…? compensated this advance reference with another brief appearance of Throg and Alligator Loki. But, the scene is a still image with narration from the Observer, which seems to whet the audience's appetite to see more of this unique variant.
Why Throg and Alligator Loki were so popular
Animals have a way of going viral
Throg and Alligator Loki stole the show in Lokiand both ended up becoming popular and iconic figures despite their relatively small roles. Toys and fan art of the characters circulated online, and discussions about the characters took place across the internet. In a way, the characters went viral and brought attention to Marvel's comic book series, which features familiar animal-like heroes, including Throg and Alligator Loki.
It could be a Unusual way of portraying and delivering superheroesBut people love animals, and seeing iconic heroes reimagined tends to get audiences excited. For these and many other reasons, people have become involved and fallen in love with these animal versions, as seen in Loki. It's also something that comic book fans who would be familiar with the obscure variants would be excited to see in live action, because it seems too ridiculous to actually adapt and include anywhere, but Marvel Studios found a way, and it paid off. off.
I really want to see the wildest variants of What If…?
Avengers: Secret Wars has the chance to bring many variants to the big screen
But, if Loki proved one thing, is that these variants can make a big impression on fans. Now, And if…? continues to build on that legacy, and with a brief hint at these heroes again from the MCU, it makes me want to see a lot more of the characters. Maybe they're a bad choice to lead a show or include them in a major MCU movie for the most part, but the Multiverse Saga is establishing itself as a place where absolutely anything is possible. Including the involvement of animal versions of heroes in a great war like Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Wars is set to be an epic film that will feature the most cameos in the MCU to date. Just like when Avengers: Endgame made Doctor Strange arrive with countless other heroes through magical portals to fight Thanos and save the universe, Secret Wars has the opportunity to capture these heroes from across the Multiverse and place them on the battlefield alongside the MCU's most popular and recognizable heroes. And I hope Marvel And if…? the tease is exactly that, and suggests something more to be seen from Throg in the upcoming MCU films.
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- Release date
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February 14, 2025
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- Release date
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July 25, 2025
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- Release date
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July 24, 2026