In case you missed it, the MCU is back full-force in 2021, with a slate of theatrical film releases along with an aggressive lineup of series on Disney Plus. We’ve already seen WandaVision push the boundaries of what an MCU show would look like and then a more straightforward, but no less entertaining, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and a strong send-off for the lead character in Black Widow. Most recently, we just wrapped up a mind-bending and MCU-changing Loki, that has officially opened the door to the Multiverse. But, where does the MCU go from here? What If?
Next up on the release calendar is a series that only hard-core MCU fans were probably overly excited about when it was announced. The animated Disney Plus series, Marvel’s What If…? Will be an anthology series that explores what might have been, if major aspects of the MCU had played out differently. It’s understandable that it might not have demanded a ton of attention when it was announced, since it sounds like a bit of a creative passion-project, rather than a true entry into the overall storyline of the MCU. But, about that Multiverse…
Where Did the Idea Come From?
In the 1970s, Marvel produced a line of comics called Marvel’s What If…:? That retold storylines in alternate realities. The Disney Plus series will follow suit, with each episode being introduced and narrated by a member of the Watchers, an alien race well known from the comics. Each episode will seemingly make a small (or large) change to a storyline we already know. But, while this might have been just a fun mental experiment before Loki, now the series represents what might actually be stories from across the Multiverse. And we don’t yet know how stories from different universes might play into the larger MCU plotline. So, these may actually be much more than simply fun spins on traditional Marvel stories.
What are Some of the What If Stories?
From the trailer, we can see a number of interesting plot twists including:
- Peggy Carter taking the super-soldier formula instead of Steve Rogers and taking up the shield
- Tony Stark being saved by Killmonger before becoming Iron Man
- Doctor Strange possibly playing a role in more than one of the episodes
- T’Challa becoming Star Lord
- Zombie superheroes
Basically, we have no idea. But, after Loki, this series may have taken on more importance within Phase 4 and the overall future of the MCU.
When and Where?
Episodes of Marvel’s What If…? will premiere on Disney Plus every Wednesday at 12:00am PT.
- Episode 1 - August 11
- Episode 2 - August 18
- Episode 3 - August 25
- Episode 4 - September 1
- Episode 5 - September 8
- Episode 6 - September 15
- Episode 7 - September 22
- Episode 8 - September 29
- Episode 9 - October 2
- Episode 10 - October 13
