Since Marvel Studios’ newWhat If…?series presented its creators with an opportunity to build new stories that are not necessarily shackled by the rest of the MCU, many thought it was the perfect chance to introduce theX-MenandFantastic Four.However, the show’s producers definitely think otherwise.
Ever since Disney’s 20th Century Fox acquisition secured said media rights, there’s been a ton of speculation on exactlywhat the MCU will do with the X-Men, although at least Deadpool and the Fantastic Four already have a place in the MCU roadmap. As for the X-Men, their inclusion presents an entirely different problem because any plot would probably have to address how it was that mutants went unnoticed for so long by S.H.I.E.L.D.
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Nonetheless, in a recent interview with Collider,What If…?executive producer Brad Winderbaum explained that the issue goes beyond that, saying that for the animated series it’s mainly a matter of respecting the show’s essence. As described by Winderbaum,What If…?is supposed to be “a spin on an established storyline,” so that’s why they stuck toevents depicted during the Infinity Saga.
On that technicality, it would indeed open the doors for Deadpool to appear inWhat If…?‘ssecond or third seasons once a Disney-approvedDeadpool 3is already out there, and the same would go for the planned Fantastic Four reboot that won’t come earlier than 2023. On that same note, the producer explained that the studio went to great lengths to secure most of the original actors to reprise their roles in voice acting, an effort that far exceeded their 50% target.
Judging fromWhat If…?’s first two episodes, it’s clear the series is fulfilling its purpose by retellingCaptain America: The First Avengerand also having the late Chadwick Boseman become an alternate Star-Lord in this week’s spin on the firstGuardians of the Galaxyfilm. That does raise the question of which MCU movie will get the Watcher’sWhat If…?treatment next and how creative it can get with the original Infinity Saga events.
Both theX-Menand theFantastic Fourhave seen past animated productions, especially the former with the ‘90sX-Men: Animated Series,which left an important legacy and blueprint for future Marvel productions. Considering there are still X-Men and Wolverine out there, it’s interesting to imagine whetherWhat If…?will attain the same pop culture status as those early Marvel Cartoons or somesuperhero games likeMarvel’s Spider-Man.
What If…?episodes 1 and 2 are now available on Disney Plus.
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