Marvel’s animated ‘What If...?’ shows the possibilities of the multiverse

Do you dream about the Avengers gang returning to their roles from the big screen? Marvel is here to grant your wish. During The Walt Disney Company's Investor Day presentation on Thursday, Kevin Feige, president, Marvel Studios, and chief creative officer, Marvel, gave an exclusive first look at the studios' first animated series, 'What If…?'

'What If…?' is based on the monthly comic book series of the same name created by Roy Thomas in the 1977. Uatu, the Watcher, presents stories from other universes and timelines that show the path some of your favorite characters could have taken. But not all of them have a happy ending.

Let's take a look at the classic comic series for an idea of the other universes we might see in the new series.

In What If…? #1, Thomas wrote that he didn't want these Marvel tales labeled as imaginary; they were real, just not in the Earth-616 universe we know.

The first series of intriguing tales of alternate Earths each started with Uatu, the Watcher, narrating the story, showing first how it originally happened in the pages of Marvel Comics, and then how it happened on another Earth.

'What If…?' took Marvel's biggest heroes through space and time. Heroes often became villains and villains became heroes, superpowers were switched among teammates, and important characters like Gwen Stacy and Karen Page escaped death in these fascinating issues. From Spider-Man joining the Fantastic Four, to Jane Foster becoming Thor, to Bucky surviving World War II, to the creation of Mayday

"Spider-Girl" Parker, some of the ideas proved so intriguing that they were explored further in Marvel Comics.

More recent stories of the comics focused on specific turning points in blockbuster crossover events like Civil War, Infinity, and Avengers vs. X-Men.

The animated series 'What If…?' took inspiration from the comic books and flipped the script on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel has released a few tantalizing details about the upcoming series. 

Rather than pure adaptations of the long-running comic book series, the series will focus on landmark moments in the beloved films. Each episode will focus on a specific MCU movie with one story element changed, revealed Kevin Feige at D23.

Concept art shows Peggy Carter as the super-serum infused Captain Britain, Steve Rogers in an Iron Man-like suit, and quick glimpses at the Winter Soldier and Star-Lord. There's also a zombified Captain America, hinting that the grim Marvel Zombies comics are another source of inspiration for the animated show. The Watcher returns as narrator, with Jeffrey Wright providing his solemn voice, and many of the MCU's brightest stars will be alongside him.

Most notably, Robert Downey, Jr. will be returning to voice Iron Man, according to Jeff Goldblum. Michael B. Jordan, Sebastian Stan, Josh Brolin, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, Haley Atwell, Chadwick Boseman, Karen Gillan, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, and Michael Douglas are just a few of the big names confirmed to be joining him behind the mic.

Marvel's 'What If…?' is currently scheduled as part of Phase 4 of the MCU. Directed by Bryan Andrews, with Ashley Bradley serving as head writer, Marvel Studios' What If…? will premiere on Disney+ in Summer 2021.