Marvel’s “What If…?” Explaining easter eggs from the trailer
Almost all of the film and comic geeks have indulged themselves with the wonderful multiverse that Marvel has created. It will be further detailed in this animated series that they will be releasing on the Disney+ streaming service. Today, we will be looking at the easter eggs of the newly released What If…? trailer with the guide of the list created by Den of Geek.
What If…? is an upcoming animated American web television series based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name.
It is the fourth television series of Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series is produced by Marvel Studios and will be released on Disney+.
What if instead of Steve Rogers, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) actually became the first Super Soldier? That creative brainstorming exercise is the heart of the series. It is Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first animated series. The anthology reimagines numerous major events from the movies in game-changing ways.
The animated series also features Chadwick Boseman, who was able to reprise T’Challa via voice work before his death. Now, let us break down
Uatu the Watcher
Uatu the Watcher told the readers of the comics how if one thing changed, the whole world might have turned out differently. That was the framing sequence for every issue of the comic. Uatu is a member of a race of extremely powerful, nigh-immortal beings committed to watching the universe, but never interfering.
Among his gadgets and gizmos that enabled him to perform those duties were machines that would let him see alternate possible realities. It looks like that framing sequence will make its way to the animated series, with Uatu played by Jeffrey Wright.
Killmonger and Iron Man
The first big change we see is Eric Killmonger saving Tony Stark. It was from a bomb at what would have been the beginning of the first Iron Man movie. This bit quite blows our mind considering the fact that Killmonger was a villain in Black Panther. And of course, if he saved Tony from it, he would not have become Iron Man in the first place.
It looks like this one wraps up with a big battle, with Killmonger and Ramonda each leading forces. What’s potentially interesting about this would be how it ties the motivations of Tony Stark and Killmonger together. Tony was saved from the attack. This means he would not be forced to create Iron Man armor and could potentially give Killmonger a different outlet for his anger at Wakanda.
Thor vs. Ultrons in Madripoor
This next shot looks like a bunch of Ultrons circling a brightly lit building. The color scheme has an impression that Madripoor, the southeast Asian island nation introduced to the MCU in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, but it’s entirely possible that this is just some garishly lit Stark holding.
The Ultrons swarm the building and Thor is there to meet them.
Captain Carter
The second big story teased in the trailer looks to be along the lines of “What if Peggy Carter got the super-soldier serum?”
Peggy obviously isn’t going to become Captain America, but her becoming Captain Britain would be a bit of a big deal. Captain Britain is typically an X-Men thing.
We also get a quick glimpse of Arnim Zola, the Hydra scientist who eventually uploaded his consciousness into a series of televisions to become one of the big bads of Captain America: Winter Soldier.
Here’s where this story starts to take a turn: Dr. Strange meets up with Captain Carter, and presumably from here shit gets real weird.
Like when Peggy Carter has to fight Shuma Gorath. Shuma was created in the ‘70s by Steve Englehart and Frank Brunner as an amalgamation of a bunch of different, evil, mystical beings. He’s an eye surrounded by toothy tentacles whose name was taken from an old Conan story, while his backstory has a lot of Chthulu in it.
Guardians
The series will also feature the late Chadwick Boseman’s final performance as T’Challa. This time, though, he’s also Star-Lord. It looks like T’Challa was picked up at some point by Yondu and raised in space as part of Yondu’s Ravager team.
The cinematic T’Challa has been largely defined by his relationship to his parents, and to his father especially. He’s swapping one strong father figure for another here.
One change is front and center in the trailer: T’Challa somehow gets the Guardians of the Galaxy pulled into the battle of New York from the first Avengers movie.
Loki
We know Tom Hiddleston is reprising his role as Loki for the animated series. It looks like Loki’s somehow gathered an army of Asgardians, including Volstagg. Looks like he’s facing off against Fury, too.
We also get a peek at Hawkeye pointing his bow and arrow in the rain, just like his introduction in the first Thor movie.
Loki also gets his hands on the Casket of Ancient Winters again. You’ll recall that he used this weapon to try and destroy Jotunheim in the first movie but was stopped by Thor destroying the Bifrost.
Zombies
The biggest performance draw is almost certainly going to be Boseman’s return. However, the biggest story draw is going to be the MCU debut of the Marvel Zombies. This is a concept ripped straight from the comics.
Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck had a few cameos in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and Avengers: Endgame. Now, our favorite comic book duck is back, hopefully in a meatier role.
The animated series What if…? is set to debut on Disney+ on August 11, this year. After re-watching all of the MCU movies in order more than once now, I’m pretty sure we’ll enjoy this retelling from another universe’s perspective. Can’t wait! (And we also have Black Widow too).
