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For alternate versions of the Watcher Informant, see the Watcher Informant's Character Hub

"Hey, fellas! Hey, wait, where are you going? Hey, you were supposed to be my lift home! How will I get out of here? Hey! Oh, gee, I've got so many more stories to tell! Oh, guys! Oh, gee..."
―Watcher Informant to the Watchers[src]

The Watcher Informant is a being who travels the universe and reports on his adventures to the Watchers. He frequently visited Earth on various occasions, dating as far back as 1943 until at least 2018, and other planets such as Xandar and Sakaar in 2014 and 2017, respectively.

Biography

The Watchers

Award Ceremony

"I thought he'd be taller."
―Watcher Informant[src]
CapTaller

The Watcher Informant attends a ceremony

In 1943, the Watcher Informant attended a ceremony where Senator Brandt intended to present Captain America with the Medal of Honor to reward his heroic rescue of 400 Allied soldiers from a HYDRA base in Austria. However, Rogers did not attend the ceremony, electing to stay in Europe and continue the war effort. Brandt's Aide came to inform the Senator of this, and the Watcher Informant mistook him for Rogers, commenting to the man next to him that he had expected him to be taller.[1]

Camp Lehigh

"Hey, man, make love, not war!"
―Watcher Informant[src]
Stan Lee (Avengers Endgame)

The Watcher Informant drives past Camp Lehigh

In 1970, the Watcher Informant went for a drive with a female companion, looking younger than he did in 1943. As he drove past Camp Lehigh, he shouted at the soldiers to make love, not war before laughing.[2]

Train Encounter

StanLeeCameoinCaptainMarvel

The Watcher Informant encounters Vers on a train

"Trust me, True Believer."
―Watcher Informant[src]

In 1995, the Watcher Informant was on a metro train in Los Angeles posing as Stan Lee and reading the script for the film Mallrats. He was approached by Vers, who was searching for a Skrull. She pulled the script away from his face to determine whether or not the Watcher Informant was a Skrull and he smiled at her. Realizing he was not a Skrull, Vers smiled back and continued her search for the Skrull.[3]

Charity Ball

Stan Lee Iron Man

The Watcher Informant mistaken for Hugh Hefner

"You look great, Hef."
Tony Stark to Watcher Informant[src]

The Watcher Informant attended the third annual benefit dinner for the Firefighters Family Fund in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California. He crossed paths with Tony Stark, who mistook him for Hugh Hefner due to the fact that the Watcher Informant was wearing a red smoking jacket and accompanied by two models.[4]

Stark Expo

Stan Lee Iron Man 2

The Watcher Informant at the Stark Expo

The Watcher Informant attended the opening of the Stark Expo. He once again encountered Tony Stark, to whom he was misidentified by Happy Hogan as Larry King due to the fact that the Watcher Informant was wearing a suit similar to those typically worn by King.[5]

Soda Incident

Pingo Doce

The Watcher Informant grabs an infected soda

"It's a possible gamma sickness. Milwaukee. A man drank one of those guaraná sodas. Guess it had a little more kick than he was looking for."
Kathleen Sparr to Thaddeus Ross[src]

The Watcher Informant was living in his house in Milwaukee, where he drank a bottle of Pingo Doce, unaware that it was infected with Bruce Banner's blood. His exposure to Gamma Radiation caught the attention of the Strategic Operations Command Center which tracked Banner down to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[6]

A Crater in New Mexico

Stan Lee Thor

The Watcher Informant attempts to move Mjølnir

"Did it work?"
―Watcher Informant[src]

As a crater was discovered about fifty miles west of Puente Antiguo, New Mexico with a mysterious object in the center of it, several townsmen attempted to lift it, but were unable to. The Watcher Informant requested two of the others to tie one end of a chain to the back of his truck and the other to the object. He then drove in the opposite direction, but instead of being pulled from the ground the object pulled the trailer off of his truck. He looked out of the window and excitedly asked if his attempt had been successful, causing the others to laugh at him.[7]

Overheard Conversation

Stan Lee Avengers Cameo2

The Watcher Informant gives Steve Rogers advice

"Ask for her number, you moron!"
―Watcher Informant to Steve Rogers[src]

In 2012, The Watcher Informant was having lunch with some friends at a café in New York City close to the Stark Tower. Steve Rogers was sitting at the next table, and the Watcher Informant overheard a conversation between him and the waitress, Beth. Once she had left, the exasperated Watcher Informant advised Rogers to ask Beth for her phone number.[22]

Annoying Interview

Stan Lee The Avengers

The Watcher Informant talks about superheroes

"Superheroes in New York? Give me a break."
―Watcher Informant[src]

The Watcher Informant was playing chess with a friend when a NY1 news reporter approached him and asked him to give his thoughts on the Avengers' victory over Loki and the Chitauri. Annoyed, the Watcher Informant commented that he didn't believe in superheroes and dismissed the reporter. This footage was later shown in a news montage.[8]

Pageant Judge

StanLee-IM3

Watcher Informant judges a beauty pageant

In December of that year, the Watcher Informant was a judge in a beauty pageant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He awarded Miss Elk Ridge a perfect score of 10/10.[10]

Mental Patient

Stan Lee TTDW

The Watcher Informant asks for his shoe back

"Any questions?"
"Yeah, can I have my shoe back?"
Erik Selvig and Watcher Informant[src]

In 2013, the Watcher Informant was then being housed in a mental institution in London at the same time as Erik Selvig was there. Selvig explained his theories about the Convergence to the others, despite the fact that they were not interested. Once Selvig was finished, the Watcher Informant asked Selvig to return his shoe, which he had used as part of his demonstration.[9]

Smithsonian Guard

Stan Lee CATWS-2

The Watcher Informant discovers a burglary

"Oh, man! I am so fired!"
―Watcher Informant[src]

In 2014, the Watcher Informant then worked as a security guard in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.. He discovered that the 1940s Captain America Uniform had disappeared and commented that he would definitely be fired for that reason.[11]

Xandarian Ladies' Man

StanLee-GOTG

The Watcher Informant flirts with a Xandarian

"Look at Mr. Smiles over here. Where's your wife, old man? What a Class A pervert!"
Rocket Raccoon[src]

The Watcher Informant traveled to Xandar, where he flirted with a Pretty Xandarian. He was observed by Rocket Raccoon, who speculated that he was an adulterer and called him a "Class A Pervert" before spotting Star-Lord and deciding to collect his reward along with Groot.[12]

Reporting to the Watchers

Watchers GotG2

The Watcher Informant left behind by the Watchers

"Oh, man. Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, at that time, I was a Federal Express man."
―Watcher Informant to the Watchers[src]

The Watcher Informant then met with the Watchers and told them stories of his travels. They were momentarily interrupted when the Quadrant passed through their world on its way to Ego's planet. Once it was gone, the Watcher Informant began telling them of his time as a Federal Express man.[23] He also told the Watchers about his time serving the United States Army during World War II.[24] However, the Watchers grew tired of his tales and left him there, despite his pleas that they stay and give him a ride home.[25]

Party at Avengers Tower

Stan Lee AoU

The Watcher Informant is drunkenly escorted out

"This was aged for a thousand years in the barrels built from the wreck of Grunhel's Fleet. It is not meant for mortal men."
"Neither was Omaha Beach, Blondie. Stop trying to scare us. Come on."
Thor and Watcher Informant[src]

By 2015, the Watcher Informant successfully returned to Earth, where he attended a party at Avengers Tower alongside other World War II veterans. As they drank with Steve Rogers and Thor, the latter consumed an Asgardian beverage that he insisted was not fit for mortal men. Unfazed, the Watcher Informant requested that he try it, to which Thor reluctantly agreed. Quite inebriated, the Watcher Informant was then escorted from the tower, proclaiming "Excelsior!" as he went.[13]

Bartender

StanLee-AM

The Watcher Informant talks about Ignacio's date

"Look at the girl I'm with! You what I'm sayin'? She's crazy stupid fine, right?"
"Yeah, crazy stupid fine!"
Ignacio and Watcher Informant[src]

The Watcher Informant worked then as a bartender in San Francisco. He conversed with Ignacio, who pointed out the woman he was with and called her "crazy stupid fine", to which the Watcher Informant agreed.[14]

FedEx Driver

Stan Lee FedEx Driver

The Watcher Informant delivering a FedEx package

"Are you Tony... Stank?"
"Yes, this is... this is Tony Stank! You're in the right place. Thank you for that!"
―Watcher Informant and James Rhodes[src]

In 2016, the Watcher Informant worked once again as a driver for FedEx, delivering a package to Tony Stark. He arrived at the Avengers Compound and encountered Stark and James Rhodes. The Watcher Informant asked Stark if he was "Tony Stank", having misread his name on the package, and Rhodes jokingly confirmed that he was.[15]

Casino Encounter

BlackPanther-784215

The Informant takes T'Challa's gambling chips

"You know what? I think I'll just take these, bring them over here and hold on for safekeeping."
―Watcher Informant to Everett Ross[src]

The Watcher Informant was at a casino in Busan, South Korea when T'Challa, Nakia and Okoye arrived seeking to capture Ulysses Klaue. T'Challa had a brief conversation with Klaue's buyer, Everett Ross, before continuing his search. As the king departed, Ross called out to him that he had won the bet he had placed. The Watcher Informant then swept up T'Challa's chips, telling Ross that he would hold onto them for safekeeping.[16]

A Disturbance in the Neighborhood

Gary Spider-Man Homecoming

The Watcher Informant threatens Spider-Man

"Don't make me come down there, you punk!"
―Watcher Informant to Spider-Man[src]

The Watcher Informant was in his apartment in New York City when he overheard Spider-Man stopping what he thought was an attempted car theft, only to find out that the man was merely entering his own car. Along with two other residents, the Watcher Informant chastised Spider-Man for making noise and threatened to come down and give him a piece of his mind. He then had a conversation with his neighbor Marjorie, who knew him as "Gary", from their respective windows, in which he asked her how her mother was.[17]

Bus Passenger

Stan Lee Bus Passenger

The Watcher Informant reads a book on a bus

"That is hilarious!"
―Watcher Informant[src]

In 2017, the Watcher Informant was sitting in a bus in New York City, reading The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley. He laughed at the book's amusing content, completely oblivious to Doctor Strange and Karl Mordo crashing into the bus' window in the Mirror Dimension.[18]

Sakaar

StanTheManRagnarök

The Watcher Informant prepares to cut Thor's hair

"Now don't you move. My hands aren't as steady as they used to be."
―Watcher Informant to Thor[src]

The Watcher Informant was on Sakaar, where he was tasked with cutting Thor's hair before his battle against the Grandmaster's champion in the Contest of Champions. He warned Thor to hold still, as his hands were not as steady as they had previously been, and proceeded to cut his hair as Odinson loudly protested despite his initial warnings.[19]

Shrinking Car

Stan Lee (Ant-Man and the Wasp)

The Watcher Informant witnesses his car shrinking

"Well, the '60s were fun, but now I'm paying for it."
―Watcher Informant[src]

In 2018, the Watcher Informant was in San Francisco and was about to unlock his car when it was shrunken after being hit by a Pym Particle Disc thrown by the Wasp as she was being chased down by Sonny Burch and his goons. Believing it to be a hallucination, he commented that the 1960s had been fun but that now he was paying for it.[20]

Bus Driver

Stan Lee - Bus Driver

The Watcher Informant angrily driving a school bus

"What's the matter with you kids? You never seen a spaceship before?"
―Watcher Informant[src]

The Watcher Informant went to New York City and drove a bus with Peter Parker and other students from Midtown School of Science and Technology in it when a Q-Ship appeared over Greenwich Village. He remained calm when the teenagers began to panic, surprised that none of them had seen a spaceship before.[21]

Personality

A mysterious being, the Watcher Informant serves as an informant for the Watchers, the alien godlike race which watch over the universe. Assigned to watch over not only the Earth, but other worlds like Xandar and Sakaar, the Watcher Informant used to adopt the form of an elderly human man so he could spy without being detected. However, although the Watchers are his superiors, the Watcher Informant is nonetheless willing to make friends on the worlds he visits or act friendly towards many of its inhabitants, as shown when he interacted with most of the Avengers. However, he can become irritated too, such as the case when a news reporter tried to interview him while playing chess about his opinion on the Battle of New York. He also felt some fondness for attractive women either Humans or Xandarians, interacting with them frequently. However, by his time on Sakaar, he seemed to have married or settled down with someone, given his engagement ring.

While his true identity is unknown, the Watcher Informant was known to have adopted at least once an alias when interacting with one of the earthlings, a woman named Marjorie, who knew him as "Gary". Other people, such as Tony Stark and Happy Hogan, came to mistake the Watcher with fellow famous earthlings. He also used, at least on Earth, to live in different places to inform his superiors, like on Austria, Milwaukee, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Wheaton, Busan and New York City. He seems to have an established home, as he asked his superiors a ride home the instance they grew tired of his tales and left him behind, but it's not known where he exactly considers home. Aside from that, the Watcher Informant was known too for having several jobs to be able to act undercovers, such as working as a driver, a beauty pageant judge, a security guard, a bartender, and hairdresser. However, he seems to never keep these jobs for too long, changing constantly from position as part of his work.

Powers

  • Immortality: The Watcher Informant is an immortal being, as from 1943 to 2018, when he visited Earth, he looked exactly the same (except during his 1970 visit to Camp Lehigh) without apparent signs of aging or fatigue, albeit he admitted on Sakaar that he wasn't as steady as he was in the past.
  • Adaptive Appearance:
    StanLeeRagnarok2

    Watcher Informant with a mechanical arm

    While not employing the use of shapeshifting, the Watcher Informant is able to alter his appearance to look younger if he wants. Even though he was an old man in 1943 and in 1995 onwards, he was able to look younger while visiting Camp Lehigh in 1970. The Watcher Informant can also change the features of his body when he wants to, appearing with a cybernetic arm in 2017 which he used to cut Thor's hair.

Equipment

Weapons

  • Sakaraan Razor: The Watcher Informant went to Sakaar and was given a razor to cut people's hair. He used it to cut Thor's hair after a long time, though his hands had lost their steadiness.

Other Equipment

  • Glasses: The Watcher Informant wore glasses while on his adventures.
  • Space Suit: The Watcher Informant used a space suit to meet with the Watchers and tell them about his adventures.
  • U.S. Army Uniform: The Watcher Informant spent time with the United States Army during World War II and was given a uniform, which he wore to the ceremony in which Steve Rogers was supposed to be given a Medal of Honor.
  • Smithsonian Guard Uniform: The Informant wore a Smithsonian security guard uniform while working overnight at the museum when he noticed Captain America's suit was missing off of the mannequin.
  • FedEx Uniform: The Informant wore a FedEx Delivery Uniform while delivering a package to Tony Stark, a name he mispronounced as "Tony Stank."
  • The Doors of Perception: The Watcher Informant read Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception and laughed at its content.
  • Mallrats Script: The Informant read a copy of this script aloud in 1995. He was interrupted by Vers, who smiled at him.

Vehicles

  • Oldsmobile Cutlass: The Watcher Informant Drove an Oldsmobile Cutlass car past Camp Lehigh in the 1970s.
  • Train: The Watcher Informant rode a train in Los Angeles while reading the script to Mallrats. He was interrupted by Vers, who smiled at him.
  • Pick-up Truck: The Watcher Informant used a pick-up truck to attempt to get Mjølnir off the ground. However, the trailer ended up being pulled off of the back of his truck.
  • FedEx Van: The Watcher Informant worked for FedEx and used one of their vans to deliver packages. He delivered a package to the Avengers Compound using the van.
  • School Bus: The Informant drove the Midtown High school bus to the school in 2018 when Thanos' search for the Infinity Stones on Earth stated.
  • Saloon Car: The Watcher Informant lived in San Francisco for a time and used an SUV. However, as he tried to enter the car, it was hit by Pym Particles and shrunk down.

Facilities

  • Walt Disney Concert Hall: The Watcher Informant attended a charity event hosted by Stark Industries and met Tony Stark, who mistook him for Hugh Hefner.
  • Stark Expo: The Watcher Informant attended the opening of Stark Expo and met Tony Stark and Happy Hogan, who mistook him for Larry King.
  • House: The Watcher Informant lived in a house for a period of time, but drank a bottle of Pingo Doce that had Bruce Banner's blood, which poisoned him.
  • Psychiatric Hospital: The Watcher Informant was housed in a mental institution at the same time as Erik Selvig. Selvig used the Watcher Informant's shoe to demonstrate his point, and the Watcher Informant asked for it back once he was done.
  • Smithsonian Institution: The Watcher Informant worked at the Smithsonian Institution as a security guard, but missed Steve Rogers stealing his old military uniform. When he finally discovered the theft, he muttered to himself about potentially getting fired.
  • Avengers Tower: The Watcher Informant attended a party hosted by the Avengers at Avengers Tower and challenged Thor regarding a drink he claimed was not for mortals. Thor let him try it, causing him to become drink and he needed to be escorted out.
  • Bar: The Watcher Informant worked as a bartender and talked to Ignacio, and the two agreed that the woman he was with was attractive.
  • Jagalchi Market Casino: The Watcher Informant gambled at Jagalchi Market Casino, sitting at a table with T'Challa and Everett Ross. T'Challa won the round but walked away, so the Watcher Informant took his chips.
  • Apartment: The Watcher Informant owned an apartment in New York City, where he saw Spider-Man accidentally interfering with someone trying to enter their car. The Watcher Informant threatened Spider-Man and had a conversation with his neighbor, Marjorie, who lived across the alley.
  • Grand Arena: The Watcher Informant went to Sakaar and spent a significant amount of time working in the Grand Arena as a barber. His hands became less steady over time, but he continued giving haircuts, including to Thor.

Relationships

Allies

Enemies

  • Thor - Former Ally and Customer

Appearances

Appearances for Watcher Informant

In chronological order:

Trivia

Stan Lee Collector Standin

A Stan Lee stand-in

Behind the Scenes

  • Kevin Feige confirmed in an interview following the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that Stan Lee portrays the same character in every film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: "Yes, we always thought it would be fun. Stan Lee clearly exists, you know, above and apart from the reality of all the films. So the notion that he could be sitting there on a cosmic pit stop during the jump gate sequence in Guardians was something very fun – James had that idea and we shot that cameo and loved it so much, you know, you see it a couple of times in the movie. It wasn’t in for a long time and we put it back in towards the end of the process where he references that time he was a Federal Express agent – we thought it would be fun to put that in there because that really says, so wait a minute, he’s this same character who’s popped up in all these films."[26]
  • James Gunn has confirmed that the "Stan Lee is a Watcher" theory inspired him to write something similar into the Marvel Cinematic Universe: "I actually read the Marvel fan sites and the Marvel message boards out there and a lot of times people have ideas that are somewhat off-base or silly or whatever. But one thing I found very funny and interesting is the fact that people thought Stan Lee is a Watcher… and that all of these cameos that he’s doing are part of him being a Watcher. So I thought that was one of the greatest things the fans came up with. So, Stan Lee, as a guy who is either a Watcher – or probably a guy who is working for the Watchers – was something that I thought was fun for the MCU." However, one line that seemed to create a continuity error was the Watcher Informant telling the Watchers of his time working for FedEx, since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 takes place two years before Captain America: Civil War. Gunn admits that this was a mistake on his part: "And yes, I know I made a mistake. People have written and asked me, and I'll own up to my mistake because Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 theoretically happens in 2014 which is before [Captain America Civil War]. And Stan Lee in the movie says, "That time I was the FedEx guy," which is what he is in Civil War. I screwed up; I wasn't thinking. That's all that is. But I'm going to say that – probably – Stan Lee used the guise of a FedEx guy more than one time. So it's a mistake, but it can easily be explained away!"[27]
  • For years there had been a popular fan theory that Stan Lee was portraying the same character in every live-action Marvel adaptation, including those produced by other studios such as Sony Pictures Studios, Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox. James Gunn considered confirming this theory by having the Watcher Informant mention that he worked as a DJ in a Strip club, referring to Lee's cameo in Deadpool. This would have been the first acknowledgment of the X-Men film series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[28] Fans speculated that Lee was actually playing Uatu, though Kevin Feige disproved this theory by confirming that while the cinematic rights to the Watchers are shared between Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox, Uatu was owned solely by Fox.[29]
  • Kevin Smith revealed that Kevin Feige approached him to help him obtain an alternate take of dialogue that Stan Lee had recorded for Mallrats from Universal Pictures, as Lee had filmed his cameo for Captain Marvel just a few months prior to his death and had been physically weak, hence his voice had been difficult to hear.[30]
  • Stan Lee was digitally de-aged for his appearance in Avengers: Endgame. A bumper sticker on the rear bumper of his car reads "'nuff said", which was one of his catchphrases. Anthony Breed was a double for Lee in this scene.
  • Originally, Stan Lee's final cameo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was reported to be in Spider-Man: Far From Home, which was supposed to be the first film in Phase Four at the time.[31] However, Joe Russo later confirmed that Lee's final MCU cameo was in Avengers: Endgame and that he wasn't sure if Lee was healthy enough to film a cameo in Far From Home.[32] Far From Home was later made the final film of Phase Three, thus making Phase Four the first phase without any Stan Lee cameos.
  • Al Jean revealed that Marvel Studios changed their policy about Stan Lee cameos, that he would no longer cameo now that he has passed away.[33]
  • Tom Garner was a stunt double for Stan Lee in the role of Watcher Informant.
  • Tony Costa was a stand-in for Stan Lee in the role of Watcher Informant.

References

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Watcher Informant.
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