Disney+ is releasing a slew of new shows centering around the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While fans have been laser focused on shows like Loki and WandaVision, one particular animated show has slipped everybody’s attention. Marvel’s What If is a Disney+ Marvel series that will answer the question of alternate timelines. It will take us to scenarios where the MCU diverged from mainstream continuity. Marvel’s What If will show us worlds where things did not go exactly as planned. And the consequences of things happening the way it did.
Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming show.
Release Date
Release date info for most of the shows announced during the Disney Investor’s day are scarce. There have been some unofficial sources confirming that the show is set for a mid 2021 release. But that might change as the situation unfolds and presents itself. Our prediction would be an August-September release window.
All Confirmed Story Arcs To Be Featured
The What If series will include both new story arcs as well as expand upon previously teased narratives. For example – Tony Stark eats that Doughnut in Iron Man 2. Hawkeye pulls his bow in Thor. Even captain marvel shows up. Here is the list of all shows confirmed for What If:
What If – T’Challa Became Star Lord: Probably the wildest What If scenario, Yondu takes a trip to Wakanda instead of America. In the MCU, he kidnapped Peter Quill. But in this episode, he kidnaps T’Challa, Prince of Wakanda.
What If – Peggy Carter Became The Super Soldier: The MCU gave us our captain America in the form of the scrawny Steve Rogers. In this What If episode, it is Peggy carter who volunteers to become Captain Britain. She takes the fight to the Nazis and leads the Howling Commandoes.
What If – Doctor Strange Became Dormammu‘s Servant: This is going to be another wild ride for Marvel fans. Doctor Strange fights a darker, corrupted version of himself. The dark Doctor Strange probably belongs to an alternate timeline/universe where he fell prey to Dormammu’s dark forces.
What If – Bucky Barnes Fought A Zombiefied Captain America: This show will give us a tease of the acclaimed Marvel Zombies, a mid-2000’s comic book series. Bucky Barnes fights an undead Steve Rogers in an ode to the classic Marvel Zombies.
The Comic Book Inspiration And Number Of Episodes
Based on the titular comic book series that started in 1977, the storylines will explore parallel realities and twists of fate. The original What If comic book run was from 1977 to 1984. A second run happened from 1989 to 1998. About 11 more installments have ensued ever since. The most recent volume of What IF explored alternative story arcs for Ghost Rider, Punisher, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and Thor. Kevin Feige has confirmed that production for What If Season 2 has already begun. Season 1 of What If was announced way back in 2019. It will be a 10 part series exploring ten different What If scenarios.
The Trailer
The trailer was released as part of the Disney Investor’s Day event. Find the embedded trailer below:
Which MCU Actors Returning To Play a Role in What If
Multiple high profile actors are coming back to reprise their roles for the Disney+ series. The late actor Chadwick Boseman will make his final appearance as T’Challa. Hayley Atwell, Josh Brolin, Michael Douglas, Karen Gillan, Jeff Goldblum, Sean Gunn, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Djimon Hounsou are set for a return. They will be playing the roles of Peggy carter, Thanos, Hank Pym, Nebula, Grandmaster, Kraglin, Thor, Loki, and Korath respectively. Other high profile actors returning for What If are Samuel L Jackson, Michael B Jordan, and Natalie Portman. All of the Avengers actors sans Scarlett Johansson will be reprising their roles. Stanley Tucci (Dr. Abraham Erskine), Taika Watiti (Korg), and Toby Jones (Arnim Zola) have also been confirmed.
Source: Marvel.com
