Hailee Steinfeld’s Unexpected MCU Comeback as Kate Bishop: A Wild Western Twist in What If…? Season 3

After her memorable debut in Hawkeye on Disney+ in 2021, Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop had mostly been absent from the MCU spotlight, save for a brief yet intriguing cameo in The Marvels. However, Steinfeld’s return to the Marvel universe came in an unexpected way—through animation in What If…? Season 3.

A New Kind of Kate Bishop

In What If…? Season 3, Episode 6, titled “What If… 1872?”, fans saw Kate Bishop in a radically different light. This time, instead of the modern-day New York City archer fans know, Kate Bishop is reimagined in the wild, untamed world of the Old West. Set in 1872, Steinfeld’s character swaps her bow and arrows for a revolver, demonstrating her sharp marksmanship while galloping on horseback. Yet, despite the historical twist, she still wears the signature purple-and-black Hawkeye color palette, ensuring that Kate Bishop’s iconic look remains intact.

This episode presents a unique narrative where Kate Bishop teams up with Shang-Chi’s Simu Liu, another MCU hero, to confront a dangerous foe. Their goal? To track down the Hood, a mysterious villain responsible for the death of Kate’s family. But things take an unexpected turn when the Hood’s identity is revealed to be someone far closer to Kate’s heart than she could have ever imagined.

The Western Showdown: Kate Bishop Meets Shang-Chi

Kate and Shang-Chi’s hunt leads them to a young boy, Kwai Jun-Fan, who claims that the Hood has kidnapped Chinese immigrants and is brainwashing them on a train. But when both heroes are captured by the Hood, the true twist is unveiled—Xialing, Shang-Chi’s sister, has taken the Hood’s powers after killing the original villain.

In a high-stakes confrontation, Kate Bishop ultimately defeats Xialing, with a little help from the Watcher, who aids Jun-Fan in freeing the prisoners and saving Kate from falling into the villain’s trap. The episode ends with Kate and Shang-Chi riding off into the sunset, partners in adventure, as the Watcher faces punishment for his interference—setting the stage for larger Multiversal implications in the MCU.

The Future of Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop in the MCU

While Steinfeld’s appearance in What If…? Season 3 was animated, her return to the MCU in live-action is a highly anticipated topic among fans. Since her role in Hawkeye teased her involvement with the Young Avengers, many believe that Kate Bishop’s future in the MCU is firmly secured, possibly as part of the upcoming Young Avengers project.

In addition, rumours point to a potential Hawkeye Season 2, where Steinfeld’s character could continue her journey in the live-action MCU. Fans also speculate that Kate could appear in massive ensemble films like Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars.

However, before Steinfeld reprises her role in live-action, she will return to voice the character in Marvel Zombies, an upcoming animated series set to release in 2025. Along with fellow MCU stars Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) and Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop will join the cast of Marvel Zombies, further expanding her role within the Marvel Animation universe.

Steinfeld’s animated role in What If…? Season 3 could be a sneak peek into what’s to come for Kate Bishop in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Animation. With her appearances in both the animated and live-action MCU, it’s clear that the character is poised for a prominent place in future storylines.

As Marvel Studios continues to expand its Multiverse, Kate Bishop will likely be at the forefront of many new adventures—both in the real world and through animation. Fans of Hailee Steinfeld’s take on the character are in for an exciting ride ahead!