What's the premise for Marvel's What If...?, and who will be part of the Phase 4 storyline? Here's everything we know about the MCU's Disney+ series.
Here's everything known about Marvel's What If...?, a new series that will be part of the MCU's Phase 4 on Disney+, including its cast, story, and when it will release. Based on the eponymous comic series that debuted in 1977, the 10-part production theorizes about twists of fate and alternative franchise storylines. The Disney+ version of What If...? was developed and written by A.C. Bradley, and features Jeffrey Wright as the narrator, Uatu, otherwise known as the Watcher.
The original What If...? comics series ran from 1977 to 1984, which was followed by a second volume from 1989 to 1998. Since then, 11 more installments have been published, with the most recent 2018 collection featuring stories about the Ghost Rider, Magik, the Punisher, Thor, Spider-Man, and the X-Men. In 2019, Marvel broke the news about the Disney+ adaptation, and Marvel Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige later revealed that production had already commenced for What If...? season 2. At Disney Investor Day 2020, the first trailer for the MCU series released and teased what appears to be a fascinating first 10 episodes.
Marvel fans are certainly hyped for newly-announced MCU series like Ironheart, Armor Wars, and Secret Invasion, however What If...? could be a cultural phenomenon given all the unknowns and potential for some wild twists. Fortunately, Marvel has confirmed several storylines so far, along with all the performers who will appear in the animated series. Here's everything revealed about What If...? on Disney+.
Marvel hasn't yet announced an official release date for What If...?, however the Disney+ series is expected to premiere around mid-2021.
The What If...? trailer expands on storylines that were previously introduced, and includes imagery that teases upcoming narratives but doesn't necessarily confirm the premise. For example, Tony Stark eats a donut (an homage to Iron Man 2), Captain Marvel shows up briefly, and Hawkeye pulls back his bow. In addition, Doctor Strange appears to square off against himself. The official episode titles haven't been announced for What If...?, but the storylines below have been confirmed based on the available footage:
What If T'Challa Became Star-Lord: In the MCU, Yondu (Michael Rooker) kidnaps Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) from Earth in 1988. The character eventually becomes the Star-Lord before joining the Guardians of the Galaxy. What If...? imagines if T'Challa was taken and never evolved into Black Panther.
What If Peggy Carter Became Captain Britain: Prior to World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteered for Project Rebirth and received Super Soldier Serum that would transform him into the first superhero on Earth. In What If...?, Project Rebirth leader Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) consumes the serum instead and becomes Captain Britain. In this storyline, Captain America presumably becomes Iron Man.
What If Bucky Barnes Fought a Captain America Zombie: In the MCU, Steve Rogers' childhood friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) fights alongside him in World War II and ultimately re-emerges as the Winter Soldier. What If...? references the mid-2000s comic series Marvel Zombies by having Bucky Barnes battle against a zombified Captain America.
Numerous MCU stars have been confirmed for What If...? on Disney+:
The late Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, Hayley Atwell as Captain Peggy Carter, Josh Brolin as Thanos, David Dastmalchian as Kurt. Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Djimon Hounsou as Korath, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan. Natalie Portman as Jane Foster. Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton, Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Chris Sullivan as Taserface, Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine, and Taika Waititi as Korg.
Embedded above is the aforementioned trailer for Marvel's What If...?, which was released as part of the Disney Investors Day 2020. As mentioned previously, the footage shows off some of what fans can expect from the series, including fresh looks at T'Challa as Star-Lord, Peggy Carter as Captain Britain, and the Captain America zombie, alongside teases of things like Iron Man and Doctor Strange.
