- "In this universe, Agatha Harkness' quest for power led her to discover the Celestial growing deep within the Earth. Looking to take its cosmic energy for herself, she set out to design a spell to siphon its power. But pulling off a ritual of that scale would require an equally big production. So, she turned to a blossoming industry that had built its reputation financing the big dreams of even bigger egos. Hollywood. Where upstart mogul, Howard Stark, was happy to foot the bill."
- ―Watcher
What If... Agatha Went to Hollywood? is the second episode of the third season of What If...?
Synopsis[]
Hollywood film star Agatha Harkness has a new co-star in Howard Stark's first production.
Plot[]
Howard Stark directs Agatha Harkness
Seeking to acquire more power, Agatha Harkness discovered Tiamut the Communicator growing deep under the Earth's surface. In order to steal the Celestial energy, Harkness needed to perform a special ritual that required more resources than she had at her disposal, so she decided to turn to Hollywood. She gets in touch with Howard Stark and stars in his Stark Pictures production Cosmic Queen to use his resources to perform the spell, but something does not work, so she convinces Stark to increase the production, much to Edwin Jarvis' chagrin.
Kingo joins the film
Stark and Harkness both decide that Cosmic Queen needs a suitable co-lead to add a special spark to the production, and Harkness suggests to bring in Kingo from Bollywood. Stark and Jarvis welcome Kingo at Stark Pictures Studios Lot and Stark is eager to have both him and Harkness in his movie, to which Kingo says that he has been born for this role. While filming a huge musical number, Kingo faces Harkness in a dance-off, although Stark is unaware that his stars have hidden agendas beyond the production. While they dance together, Harkness says that Kingo is a last missing piece she has been waiting for, while Kingo replies that he knows about Harkness' secret and he came to put a stop to it.
Agatha Harkness and Kingo discuss
As the number continues, Kingo decides that it has been enough and attacks Harkness with his energy blasts, and while Jarvis notes that it was not in the script, Stark is impressed and wants to keep filming. Harkness does not take Kingo seriously and reveals that she possesses the powers of his fellow Eternals, which Stark keeps mistaking for special effects. Harkness defeats Kingo in their duel and before she lands a finishing blow, Stark finishes filming and voices his excitement at their chemisry, completely oblivious to what really is happening between the two. While Stark and Jarvis take the crew for an after-party, Harkness tells Kingo that his friends are safe and asks for Kingo's help to stop the Emergence.
Arishem the Judge calls Kingo
Kingo hesitates since Arishem the Judge made him a Prime Eternal to protect Tiamut, but Harkness does not believe that. She claims that Kingo is different from other Eternals as he is much more connected to humanity through his love of acting. Kingo initially refuses to betray Arishem but immediately folds when Harkness offers him a three-picture deal with Stark Pictures. As they shake on their deal, Kingo and Harkness witness Arishem who is aware of Kingo switching sides and is coming to punish him for his betrayal. Kingo remarks that they would not be able to stop Arishem without the power of a Celestial, but Harkness has been prepared for that.
The group agrees to film at the Griffith Observatory
Harkness and Kingo visit the after-party and tell Stark that they are ready to film the third act set-piece immediately, but Jarvis says that due to Harkness' constant rewrites the set has been broken down. Harkness says that painting the necessary runes would be a problem, but then realizes that Griffith Observatory would fit for their plan and although Jarvis says that pulling permission for filming at night would be impossible, Stark decides to buy the whole place to keep the production rolling. Kingo then suggests taking Domo to get there and reveals that he is an Eternal, but Stark then reveals that he has been aware of that and that Harkness was a witch. Stark is fully on board to assist Harkness and Kingo with their plan, only asking to film it all and to study Kingo after everything is over.
Agatha Harkness fights Arishem the Judge
Stark and Kingo prepare to film the third act, while Jarvis helps Harkness with the runes in the observatory, before they spot Arishem on his way to Earth. With no time left, they proceed with the third act and Harkness recites the spell to use Kingo's energy to reach the Earth's core and siphon Tiamut's power. Harkness assorbs the Celestial emergy and becomes a higher being, and while Stark and Jarvis are at disbelief with what they had filmed, Arishem arrives on Earth. Arishem calls Harkness a heretic for daring to take on a Celestial and prepares to judge her accordingly, but Harkness engages in a duel with him. Arishem initially overpowers her, but Harkness tricks him and creates a rune that absorbs Arishem's power and destroys him.
Harkness suddenly reveals that stopping the Emergence was never her plan and she only wanted to use the Celestial power to bring the whole world on its knees. With Harkness getting way too powerful, Kingo takes Jarvis' suggestion and attempts to get through to her, telling Harkness that ruling the world with fear is not her, but she ignores him. Kingo then says that Harkness already has the magic of movies that can change the world and make everybody adore her for who she is. Harkness hesitates since she spent lifetimes to acquire the power, and Kingo suggests that they still can change the world together.
The Celestials come to Earth
During the red carpet event for Cosmic Queen, Stark announces that he quits the weapon business to focus on filmmaking, while Harkness and Kingo tell the reporters about their desire to change the world. Kingo then says that the sequel might come sooner than later, since other Celestials are likely to come in the wake of Arishem's death. Harkness is not afraid to take on Celestials once again and takes Kingo for the premier, while the Watcher gives his closing narration and the Celestials appear from behind him.
Cast[]
Starring Cast
- Jeffrey Wright as Uatu/Watcher
- Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness
- Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo
- Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark
- James D'Arcy as Edwin Jarvis
- David Kaye as Arishem the Judge
Guest Stars
- Terri Douglas as Additional Voices
- Piotr Michael as Additional Voices
- Kaitlyn Robrock as Additional Voices
- Fred Tatasciore as Additional Voices
- Kari Wahlgren as Additional Voices
- Matthew Wolf as Additional Voices
- Matthew Wood as Additional Voices
- Shelby Young as Additional Voices
Non- Speaking Characters
Appearances[]
Locations[]
Events[]
- Skirmish at Stark Pictures Studios Lot
- Duel for Earth
- Emergence (mentioned)
- Hindenburg disaster (mentioned)
Items[]
- Celestial Armor
- Agatha Harkness' Locket
- Cosmic Queen
- Celestial Communication Sphere (mentioned)
- Infinity Stones (mentioned)
- Bhangra Time (poster)
- Isle of Thunder (poster)
- Never Cursed (poster)
- Red Heron (poster)
Concepts[]
Vehicles[]
- Domo
- LZ 129 Hindenburg (mentioned)
Sentient Species[]
Creatures[]
Organizations[]
Mentioned[]
- Alice
- Thena
- Makkari
- Gilgamesh
- Ajak
- Ikaris (indirectly)
- Sprite (indirectly)
- Capulets
- Montagues
- William Anderson Hatfield
- Randolph McCoy
- Humphrey Bogart
- George "Gabby" Hayes
- Cary Grant
- Busby Berkeley
- Cecil B. DeMille
- Bollywood
- Oscar
Music[]
| Song title | Artist | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeet Hai Hamari | GAAYATRI and Benny Dayal | |
| Swing King | Universal Production Music |
Videos[]
Clips[]
Trivia[]
- This is the second What If...? episode where all of the returning characters are voiced by their live-action actors.
- The scene where Agatha takes Tiamut's power around the 18:00 mark is reused from What If... Ultron Won? when Captain Marvel pushes Ultron into the core of Xandar around the 8:30 mark.
Behind the Scenes[]
To be added
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