Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ Director Reveals Scrapped Plans for MCU Characters

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As a die-hard Marvel fan with years of comics and movies under my belt, I can confidently say that What If…? has been an absolute delight to watch. The third and final season is nearing its end, and it’s bittersweet knowing that we’re almost at the finale. In a recent interview, director Bryan Andrews shared some intriguing insights about characters he wished he could have explored more in the series but were off-limits by Marvel.

In the upcoming three episodes of the third and last season of “What If…?”, the acclaimed animated series set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe that delves into various timelines in the multiverse, director Bryan Andrews shares which characters he regrets not getting a chance to explore. Premiering on Disney+ in 2021, “What If…?” quickly gained popularity as the first series produced by Marvel Studios Animation, receiving an impressive 89% rating from critics and 92% from fans on Rotten Tomatoes.

In a recent conversation with Agents of Fandom, Andrews mentioned that he had an opportunity to delve into various beloved characters from What If…?, such as Iron Man, Hulk, Doctor Strange, and Howard the Duck. However, during the same interview, he expressed regret over not being able to investigate other characters due to restrictions set by Marvel.

“I had plans to feature Beta Ray Bill and Ghost Rider, but it turns out they might not be involved as much as I’d hoped. Similarly, I thought about teaming up Iron Fist and Shang-Chi for a martial arts-focused episode, but that idea seems less likely.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I must admit that I was initially disappointed when I found out I couldn’t delve deeper into my beloved superhero characters. However, in a delightful twist of fate, I managed to immerse myself in one genre that truly gets my heart racing – the Wild West! The Dec 27th episode, “What If… 1872?”, offers an intriguing glimpse into a world where superheroes roam the frontier. Shang-Chi and Kate Bishop are our guides on this adventure across uncharted territories. Yet, I should clarify that this wasn’t my original vision for the storyline.

Initially, I had a grand vision for a Western that was far too complex for Brad and the team. It delved into the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, a time when the war hadn’t truly ended and racial issues persisted significantly. This topic was heavy… So we shifted gears. With Shang-Chi in our grasp, we decided to explore more aspects of his character, which led us to incorporate historical elements from that period as well as other ideas that fit seamlessly into the storyline.

Why Were Certain Characters “Off-Limits” for ‘What If…?’

Given the multitude of ongoing storylines featuring Marvel Cinematic Universe characters, it’s understandable that some weren’t included in “What If…?” The diverse array of movies and series meant that Marvel had to safeguard various aspects to avoid spoiling surprises in their live-action productions, as stated by Andrews, to avoid stepping on the toes of other creators.

I take great care to avoid overlapping with upcoming films, as our team often finds itself brainstorming ideas that might coincide with what’s happening in other movies, like Guardians of the Galaxy. The higher-ups are always vigilant, swiftly pointing out potential conflicts. They seem to have a keen eye for anticipating and aligning with these movie events.

Even though we might have wished for more from “What If…?” initially, we’re grateful that it came into existence in the first place. Fortunately, Andrews is set to return next year to direct “Marvel Zombies,” scheduled for release on October 3. In the meantime, catch up on the entire series of “What If…?” which is currently streaming on Disney+.

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2024-12-26 21:03