The Characters Marvel Studios Banned From What If…? Might Give Fans A Preview Of Things To Come

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Summary

  • Marvel’s What If…? tackled alternate reality stories with an overarching plot involving the Watcher.
  • Characters like Beta Ray Bill, Ghost Rider, and Iron Fist were ruled off-limits for the show.
  • The MCU could introduce these characters excluded from What If…? soon.

Marvel’s What If…? featured many well-known and less-common Marvel characters in its alternate realities, but there were a few notable absences that may hint at upcoming developments within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I was thrilled when “What If…?” became an instant success. With its roots deeply embedded in the comic books we all love, it sparked excitement among fans who were eager to see how their favorite stories would be adapted. However, what made this series stand out was its layered approach – not just telling separate alternate reality tales, but also intertwining them with a larger storyline involving the Watcher, a character that gained prominence in the show.

The first two seasons were met with enthusiasm and anticipation, leading to renewals for a third season. In this final installment, we saw the resolution of the main plot in a grand multiversal spectacle that was fittingly predictable for a Marvel series. Unfortunately, Brad Winderbaum, one of Marvel’s executives, confirmed that “What If…?” wouldn’t be returning for another season, bringing an end to its overarching narrative.

Following the finale, many fans are no longer pondering about the events that unfolded, but rather discussing characters that could have enriched the show’s three-season journey. Even Marvel Studios director Bryan Andrews, who was part of the final season, acknowledges that season three had opportunities that went unrealized. However, not all missed chances may be attributed to overlooking potential characters. In an interview on Agents of Fandom’s YouTube channel, Andrews shared insights into the third and concluding story arc. He mentioned that there were certain elements that the team couldn’t work with, including three Marvel characters who could have added intrigue: Beta Ray Bill, Ghost Rider, and Danny Rand’s Iron Fist. While these names are significant, the reasons behind their exclusion might pique the interest of MCU fans more than the characters themselves.

They were meticulous in avoiding conflicts with upcoming films, and during our time, the writers frequently produced ideas that needed to be rejected due to similarities with upcoming movies such as Guardians or others. The higher-ups often had to say “no, no, no” because those elements were already present in the movies. In fact, their predictions were sometimes remarkably close to actual events in these films, which is why I appreciate it when we focus on stories that are grandiose, outlandish, and strictly within a specific genre.

In simpler terms, this piece of information suggests that three particular characters from the show may join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in the near future, as they were marked when added to the series. Andrews notes that initially, the studio was not very keen on incorporating Ghost Rider into the show, which is why viewers only caught a fleeting glimpse of a Samurai version of the character at the end, and mentions a proposed episode heavily focused on martial arts (Rand’s Iron Fist and Shang Chi) that didn’t get approved, explaining why Kwai Jun-Fan’s character was featured instead in episode 6. No additional information is provided about Beta Ray Bill’s potential role, but given the character’s background, abilities, and origins, there are numerous possibilities for how he could have been utilized. Unfortunately, it appears that What If…? would fundamentally alter the MCU’s established timeline from the start, making it unlikely these characters would appear in What If…? first.

It’s not surprising that Marvel Studios prefers to keep upcoming heroes away from the complex alternate realities portrayed in the “What If…?” series, given the importance of consistent characterization to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Introducing a character first in an animated format and then transitioning them into the main MCU could create confusion for some fans, potentially introducing Disney+ discussion points into conversations about major theatrical releases. However, Ghost Rider, Beta Ray Bill, Iron Fist, and even Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom offer exciting possibilities for the future of the MCU. For instance, Iron Fist could play a significant role in “Daredevil: Born Again” in later seasons, serving as a bridge between street-level action and the more high-stakes conflicts within the MCU. Each of these characters would bring as much intrigue to the MCU as Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, who faces an uphill battle to be accepted as a formidable villain in the MCU.

Although the main storyline was concluded in season 3 of “What If…?”, there’s still plenty of room for additional tales to be spun now that the overarching plot is settled. Continuing the series would give the creative team an opportunity to explore characters they didn’t get a chance to showcase yet, once those characters make their appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel’s What If…? is available to stream on Disney+.

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2025-02-03 22:46