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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Marvel multiverse arc kicks off with 'What If…?'

Marvel multiverse arc kicks off with 'What If…?'

Published Jul 9, 2021 01:21 pm

Marvel’s “What If…?” finally gets the MCU treatment.

Marvel Cinematic Universe released the trailer for the new Disney + animated series “What If…?” early this week. The new series “radically imagines the events of the MCU through an infinite number of possibilities,” wrote Rolling Stone.

“What If…?” is a Marvel Comics title originally released in 1977. The specialty of the comic book series were imaginary story arcs, usually crossovers, among popular superhero characters that go off on tangents that drastically alter realities as it was originally presented. Uatu, the cosmic being known as “The Watcher” was the only constant character in the series. The first episode in the comic book version featured the alternate storyline “What if…Spiderman Joined The Fantastic Four?”

Uatu’s famous line goes, “I am The Watcher. I observe all that transpires here. But I do not, cannot, will not interfere.”

The first generation series ran from 1977 to 1984.

MCU fans are familiar with Uatu. The character made an appearance on “Guardians Of The Galaxy 2” with Stan Lee on the latter’s usual cameo spot.

Set for ten episodes, the animated version of “What If…?” will give audiences a big dose of alternate timelines or the multiverse. "Every universe is different. Each one is unique," said Vision in the trailer.

In the trailer, several plotlines were revealed. “What If…” Tony Stark was rescued by Black Panther villain Killmonger and never became Iron Man? “What If…”  Agent Carter wielded the shield and not Steve Rogers and became Captain Carter? Or “What If…” T’Challa met Yondu of The Guardians Of The Galaxy and not Starlord? And so on.

The series will see familiar actors reprising their roles: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo and more.

The series will also feature the last time Chadwick Boseman played the Black Panther character. “Westworld” actor Jeffrey Wright will voice “The Watcher.”

“What If…?” is set to arrive on Disney+ on August 11. 

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