Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Iron Man endured the battle against Thanos, but one weapon in the MCU is proving to be more dangerous than the Mad Titan. The recently released What If…? episode, What If…Iron Man Crashed Into The Grandmaster?, takes place on the planet of Sakaar. The episode saw the Grandmaster using his invention, the Obedience Disk, on Tony Stark.
The device was earlier used to imprison Thor in Thor: Ragnarok. According to the comics, even powerful beings like the Hulk and the Silver Surfer could not resist the Obedience Disks.
Obedience Disks Were Used To Control Chris Hemsworth’s Thor And Iron Man In The MCU
In the MCU, the Obedience Disks are the invention of the Grandmaster of Sakaar, and he uses them to control his gladiators. The devices are embedded in the skin and emit a painful shock to anyone who disobeys the Grandmaster’s orders or tries to escape Sakaar. They are powerful enough to penetrate the skin of Asgardians like Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, and even Korg, who is a living pile of rocks.
In the latest episode of What If…?, the device comes into play again as the Grandmaster uses it to control Tony Stark and Gamora. The device became a topic of discussion after the episode, with fans wondering if there’s anyone in the MCU who can withstand the electrocution of an Obedience Disk. While the device is not shown to be used on Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk in Thor: Ragnarok, comics suggest that it was used on the green hero as well.
In Marvel Comics, it was Sakaar’s ruler Red King who used the device to control his gladiators. Hulk defeats the Red King and acquires his Obediences Disks. In the World War Hulk comics, Hulk uses the device to control the members of the Illuminati, including Reed Richards, who were responsible for exiling him to Sakaar. He makes them fight in a makeshift gladiatorial ring in Madison Square Garden.
The fourth episode of What If…? featured the return of actors like Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi, and Josh Brolin, voicing their respective roles. However, Iron Man and Gamora were voiced by Mick Wingert and Cynthia McWilliams.
Fans Have Some Theories About The Obedience Disks
In their discussion about the Obedience Disks, fans have expressed satisfaction with how the MCU remained true to the comics. The major discussion was held around how a little electric shock could disable the God of Thunder. One fan pointed out that the device somehow affects the nervous system directly, and another suggested that the device actually uses a venom, not an electric shock. Some fan reactions read:
This is one of the few comic accurate things they did
— Busdriver (@Jerememess) December 26, 2023
it bugged me that the god of thunder was disabled by an electrical device. shouldnt he just be able to channel it thru his hammer or wherever?
— 🌮 VestStreak 🌮 (@VestStreak) December 26, 2023
That’s because I’m pretty sure they’re shocking your nervous system directly it’s not just electricity
— Biggus Miggus (15TH DOCTOR mode) (@Kilo3396) December 26, 2023
It’s venom, not electrocution as a lot of people think
— Monstr (@Aut0_Ph0bic) December 26, 2023
They should’ve used this against thanos
— Assault gaming 66 (@66Assault) December 26, 2023
The obedience disks are activated and removed by a remote controller. Interestingly, the Grandmaster never intended to name the device ‘Obedience Dsks’ as he believed the name was demeaning. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor: Ragnarok poked fun at the Grandmaster’s hypocrisy in his hate of using the word ‘slaves’ or ‘obedience’ in Sakaar.
Both Thor: Ragnarok and Marvel’s What If…? are now available for streaming on Disney+.
