The character first appeared without a name in Fantastic Four #13 (Apr 1963), and periodically reappeared in that title. He then starred in "Tales of the Watcher", a backup feature that ran in Tales of Suspense #49-58 (Jan 1964-Oct 1965), Silver Surfer #1-7 (Aug 1968-Aug 1969) and Marvel Super-Heroes #23 (Nov 1969). His origin was revealed in Tales of Suspense #52-53 (Apr-May 1964), and his name was revealed in Captain Marvel #39 (Jul 1975).
What If...? writer A. C. Bradley said the character is "above everything else" and compared him to a viewer of the "pizza rat" video, observing and not interfering as he has "no interest in becoming friends with the rat, living amongst the rat, or doing rat things... That is the Watcher's relationship with humanity."[1] The Watcher's role in the series has been likened to Rod Serling's in The Twilight Zone.[2] Executive producer Brad Winderbaum felt Jeffrey Wright's vocal performance inspired a sense of humanity while explaining things about the episodes,[3] and Bradley explained that Wright was cast because his voice mixes power, charisma, and authority with a "warm personality".[1] Wright approached the character like he would a live-action role, learning as much as he could about the Watcher so his voice could reflect the character's "uniquely powerful, all-seeing, sagely presence". Wright chose a contemporary American accent rather than having the character sound like "some Oxford-educated, old, fusty guy in a tudor parlor somewhere",[2] and, aside from researching the character's comic book appearances, Wright took inspiration from the series' tone, visuals, and animation when developing the character's voice.[4] The comic book name "Uatu" is not used in the series because this would imply that there was more than one being watching the series' events when Bradley instead wanted to focus on the narrative of "the Watcher" observing the different characters and realities and how those affect him.[5]: 12:04–13:35
Following the creation of the Multiverse, the Watcher observes the branching timelines that stem from the "Sacred Timeline". At first, the Watcher narrates the stories of Captain Carter, T'Challa Star-Lord, the assassination of the Avengers, and when Dr. Stephen Strange fell to darkness.
While observing Strange's story, Strange begins to witness the Watcher and later, begs for him to save his universe that is collapsing, but the Watcher refuses to interfere due to his oath, leaving Strange alone. The Watcher continues his observations, which includes the zombie apocalypse, Erik "Killmonger" Stevens saving and befriending Tony Stark, and Thor adopting a party lifestyle.
He later observes and narrates the events of another universe, where Ultron succeeded in wiping out life on his universe by uploading his consciousness in Vision's body, and obtaining all of the Infinity Stones. Like Strange Supreme, Ultron also becomes aware of the Watcher after hearing his voice, and (to the Watcher's horror) intends to destroy and conquer the Multiverse.
As the surviving Avengers from Ultron's universe seek an artificial intelligence which can wipe out Ultron's program, the Watcher is attacked by Ultron throughout the Multiverse. He attempts to fight back, but is overpowered by Ultron and forced to retreat. The Watcher is met with Strange Supreme, who convinces him that it is time to "break his oath" if he wants to stop Ultron. Reluctant at first, the Watcher agrees, and recruits Captain Carter, Star-Lord T'Challa, Prince Killmonger, Party Thor, and a Warlord version of Gamora to become the Guardians of the Multiverse. This group of Guardians ultimately defeats Ultron, resulting in Prince Killmonger and Arnim Zola eternally fighting for control of the Infinity Stones in a pocket universe watched by Strange Supreme, which Strange realizes was the Watcher's plan all along. The Watcher also transplants the Black Widow of the universe destroyed by Ultron to "a world that lost their widow".
The page Watcher (Marvel Cinematic Universe) in the mainspace is currently a redirect to Characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: M–Z.
