Marvel Studios’ animated anthology series “What If…?” is gearing up for its highly anticipated second season, poised to debut on Disney+ during the festive Christmas week.
Following its successful inaugural season two years ago, which accompanied the initial slate of Marvel Studios TV shows like WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Loki, which recently gave Tom Hiddleston a fitting MCU farewell, fans have eagerly awaited for its premiere.
Originally planned to launch last year, the delay in the arrival of “What If…?” has only heightened the excitement as well as the curiosity among viewers, especially as it’s just the second MCU show to get greenlighted for a follow-up season.
Now, the recent revelations suggest that the upcoming season is hitting Disney+ on December 22, with a new episode coming out every day until the year ends on December 30. This approach marks a significant departure from the usual weekly released schedule of other MCU TV series, which comes just weeks before Echo, MCU’s first TV-MA series that will see all of its episodes drop on the same day and date. The Cosmic Circus, via Toonado.com, reports that this season is expected to have a more substantial impact on the 616 timeline, indicating a deeper integration with broader narrative arcs of the MCU.
The Watcher, voiced by Jeffrey Wright, will return to guide audiences through the vast multiverse, introducing both new and familiar faces. Furthermore, the voice cast for this season is set to include even more MCU stars reprising their iconic roles, bridging the gap between the animated and live-action realms of the Marvel Universe.
The second season of “What If…?” will explore a variety of intriguing scenarios, as suggested by the episode titles that we came across earlier this year. The long list of potentially fan favorite episodes like “What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?” and “What If… Peter Quill Attacked Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?”, along with a holiday-themed episode “What If… Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?” airing on December 24, perfectly timed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day viewings. Other notable episodes include “What If… Hela Found the Ten Rings?” and “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?”, the latter potentially pointing to a climactic convergence of alternate universe characters.
Interestingly, the series will also introduce an original hero, Kahhori, a young Mohawk woman whose story intertwines with the Tesseract in a pre-colonial American setting. This inclusion signals Marvel Studios’ commitment to the cultural authenticity and diversity of its projects, as well as the possibility of new characters transitioning from screen to comic book staples, much like Harley Quinn or Terry McGinnis in the DC Universe.
The scheduling and content of “What If…?” Season 2 reflect a strategic move by Marvel Studios. Placing the series in the holiday season not only capitalizes on increased viewership during this time but also allows for thematic episodes like the Happy Hogan Christmas special to resonate with the festive spirit. Moreover, the daily release schedule keeps audiences engaged throughout the holiday week, a novel approach in the streaming era.
Marvel Studios’ decision to explore alternate scenarios and timelines in “What If…?” is in line with its experiments with different storytelling formats, which is particularly crucial following its most recent set of duds.
While some episodes are expected to have standalone narratives, others might contribute to the larger story arcs that’s been building up for years.
“What If…?” could easily connect with other Marvel properties dealing with multiversal narratives, particularly Loki. With the series’ direct engagement with alternate timelines and realities, there’s potential for crossover or at least subtle nods to events and characters from other MCU projects.
As we anticipate the arrival of “What If…?” Season 2, it’s clear that Marvel Studios is continuing to expand the scope of the MCU in imaginative and unexpected ways.
Whether the series will lead to significant developments in the overarching Marvel narrative or serve as the MCU’s own playground for alternative stories remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the excitement surrounding its release is a testament to the enduring appeal and expansive potential of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
