'What If...?' animated series explores alternate MCU realities
"Space. Time. Reality. It’s more than a linear path."
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and chief creative officer of Marvel, gave an exclusive first look at What If…?, the studios’ first animated series, during Walt Disney Company’s Investor Day last Thursday (Dec. 10).
Taking inspiration from the Marvel comics of the same name, What If...? flips the script on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reimagines major events in crazy and unexpected ways.
Premiering next summer on Disney Plus, the show features the voice of Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher, along with a slew of MCU talent reprising their roles as the voice cast.
Each episode will focus on different heroes and will explore a pivotal moment from the MCU and turn it on its head, leading the audience into uncharted territory. As reported by Deadline, Feige previously said the series will deliver new takes on all 23 movies in the MCU franchise.
For instance, the episodes will tackle “What if Peggy Carter was the one who had taken the serum to become a super soldier?” or "What if Bucky Barnes had to fight a zombie Captain America?." Or have you ever wondered what would happen if Yondu picked T’Challa as the Guardian of the Galaxy's Star-Lord instead of Peter Quill?
These fun, outlandish stories are sure to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe and show our favorite superheroes in a new light without actually affecting the canon story or the existing films.
MCU stars confirmed to provide voice work for the animated series include Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Josh Brolin as Thanos, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter, Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Taika Waititi as Korg, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, Djimon Hounsou as Korath, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, and Michael Rooker as Yondu.
Directed by Bryan Andrews, with Ashley Bradley serving as head writer, Marvel Studios’ What If…?'s first season will premiere on Disney Plus in Summer 2021 and will consist of 10 episodes. This animated offering will be part of Phase Four of the MCU. A second 10-episode season is reportedly in development.
Check out the fantastic trailer for What If....? below.
(Images via Marvel Studios)