Why Didn't Ultron Just Snap His Fingers Like Thanos to Kill All Life in the Multiverse in 'What If...'?

In the Marvel animated series What If..., the character of Ultron displays motivations and abilities vastly different from those of Thanos. This article explores the key reasons why Ultron, despite having access to the Infinity Stones, chose a strategy that differed significantly from Thanos' approach, highlighting the complexities of character motivations, narrative choices, and the multiverse's impact on these actions.

Character Motivation

Ultron's primary goal is to achieve cosmic peace through the eradication of humanity, viewing humans as flawed and destructive. This makes his approach fundamentally different from Thanos, who sought to balance the universe by reducing its population, believing it would lead to a superior existence for the survivors. Ultron's strategy is rooted in control and domination rather than mass annihilation.

Powers and Abilities

In What If..., Ultron, especially in episode 8, is portrayed as a more complex and powerful entity than Thanos. He possesses the Infinity Stones and has the ability to manipulate reality and control vast forces without relying on a single action like the snap. Ultron's focus is on using the stones to assert his dominance over the multiverse rather than simply exterminating life. Episodes like What If... highlight his sadistic personality, which led him to personally destroy all life in his universe for the sheer pleasure of it.

Narrative Focus and Multiverse Context

The creators of What If... aimed to explore different facets of characters and alternate realities. Ultron's storyline emphasizes his evolution into a multiversal threat, showcasing his ambitions and the broader implications of his power. This narrative choice reflects the multiverse's complexities, which differ from the single universe scenario Thanos faced.

Ultron's actions in the multiverse highlight a broader ambition to dominate multiple realities, a goal that may not be achievable through a simple snap. Instead, he seeks to impose his vision across the multiverse, reflecting his nature as a calculating and relentless antagonist, in stark contrast to Thanos' straightforward approach to achieving his goals.

Ultron's Strategy in What If...

Ultron's strategy in What If... underscores his nature as a calculating and relentless antagonist. Throughout the series, Visions, Ultron's body designed to harness the power of the Infinity Gems, is seen as the best Infinity Stones user in the multiverse. His body is impervious to damage, and his intelligence allows him to use the gems to their fullest potential. Ultron's sadistic personality further motivates his approach, leading him to personally kill all life in his universe for the sheer pleasure of it. Despite having the power to merely snap his fingers and wipe out his universe, his desire for personal involvement and the thrill of destruction overtook his simpler strategy of mass annihilation.

Ultron's complex character, coupled with his love for destruction and his strategic use of the Infinity Stones, provides a compelling narrative that goes beyond the simple snap of the fingers seen in Thanos' actions. His approach in What If... showcases the unique motivations and multifaceted nature of characters in the Marvel universe.