Phase 4 will see Marvel Studios take some of its biggest risks yet with the introduction of new characters, the return of old favorites, and the MCU's first animated outing in What If...? The Disney+ animated anthology will see some of the cinematic universe's biggest stars return to voice their heroes and villains in a ten-episode series of alternate takes on Infinity Saga.
The trailers released so far have revealed some realities that What If...? will explore, such as Peggy Carter taking the Super Soldier Serum in place of Steve Rogers and a Marvel zombie extravaganza. However, it still remains unclear exactly which movies will be adapted in the upcoming first season as a ten-episode debut leaves inadequate time to explore the 23 movie Infinity Saga.
While Marvel Studios has produced the majority of the Infinity Saga, films like The Incredible Hulk and the Spider-Man franchise have much more complex distribution situations, leaving their inclusions in the animated series in doubt.
However, it seems that may not be an issue for Marvel as Disney officially confirmed the inclusion of Spider-Man: Far From Home in What If...?
WHAT IF...? WILL FEATURE SPIDER-MAN-CENTRIC EPISODES
In the Summer 2021 issue of Disney’s D23 Magazine obtained by The Direct, Marvel Studios highlighted the upcoming What If...? Disney+ animated series that is set to release in August.
While describing the alternate-reality concept of the series, the issue confirmed that it will be "pulling from" material in 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home in addition to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
It was previously unknown whether the animated anthology would explore Tom Holland's Sony-distributed Spider-Man films, however, it seems material from the two wall-crawler blockbusters will be included.
WHAT ALTERNATE SPINS COULD WHAT IF...? TAKE FOR SPIDER-MAN
Given the first season of What If...? will only be comprised of ten episodes, it remains unclear which of the 23 films in the Infinity Saga will be explored or whether it will take directly from specific films at all. With Tom Holland's Spider-Man being one of the newer additions to the MCU, the opportunities for stories surrounding his character are smaller, so it's hard to imagine what stories could be told with his character.
Previous reports suggested that Peter Parker may take up the mantle of Hawkeye in animated form, but why exactly the high schooler would pick up the SHIELD agent's bow and arrow is another question altogether.
Additionally, a recent LEGO listing leak revealed plans for a Steve Rogers version of Spider-Man based on the What If...? series. While this shouldn't be taken as any kind of confirmation, it seems to indicate Chris Evans' super-powered Avenger may take up a different set of powers this time around.
An interesting angle for this story could be to see skinny Steve Rogers bitten by a radioactive spider in his World War ll days to become the Spider-Man of an entirely different century.
What If...? will debut exclusively on Disney+ this August.
