What If…?, a new collaboration between Marvel Studios and Disney+, will air on Aug. 11, with new episodes coming every Wednesday. The animated anthology series, created by A.C. Bradley, is based on the popular Marvel Comics series of the same name and explores what could happen if major moments from the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe occurred differently.
A trailer for the new show came out this week and teased some differences that are sure to create a buzz among comic and MCU fans.
Unlike some of the previous Marvel/Disney+ shows—especially Wandavision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier — the events of What If…? aren’t intended to alter the MCU movies or set up storylines in future movies. Rather, it’s just a fun peak as to what many comic fans enjoy doing, using their imaginations to come up with new adventures, partnerships and powers for some of their favorite Marvel characters.
The trailer gives some insight into such ideas. For example, one topic explored is “What if Erik Killmonger saved Tony Stark from the missile attack that put him on the road to becoming Iron Man?” Another asks, “What if it was Peggy Carter who took the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve Rogers?”
In the animated show, the different multiverse possibilities will be narrated by the mysterious Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, described as “a powerful being who can see these separate realities, but will not interfere in them.”
What If…?, marks the first animated MCU series and it takes on the popular style of rotoscoped animation, which layers CGI paint over actual footage, letting the show’s creators blend existing footage from past MCU movies with newly created scenes.
Expect to hear many of the most popular MCU actors take part in the animated show, with Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Michael B. Jordan (N’Jadaka) all on board. Even the late Chadwick Boseman (Prince T’Challa of Wakanda) will be heard, as he recorded lines for the show before his tragic death in 2020.
