Marvel's 'What if…?': Release Date, Cast, Trailer and Plot

Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is well underway following the release of WandaVision, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier and Loki.

And the MCU is set to explore another exciting adventure with a new animated show that asks: "What if?"

The show is based on the comic book anthology of the same name, which first debuted in 1977 and has 13 volumes in total.

Newsweek has everything you need to know about What If...? including release date, cast, trailer, plot and more.

When Is What If...? Out?

On July 21, 2019, Marvel held a panel at San Diego Comic-Con announcing What If...? among a number of other titles set to kick start Phase 4 of the MCU.

At the time, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that What If...? was part of the company's collection of TV shows for Disney+, alongside WandaVision, The Falcon And The Winter Solider, Loki, and Hawkeye.

On July 8, 2021, Marvel then revealed that What If...? would be released on Disney+ on August 11.

Like all Disney+ shows, What If...? will be released on a weekly basis.

Who Will Star in What If...?

Many of the MCU's iconic actors will reprise their roles in animated form, including Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Michel B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger and Karen Gillan as Nebula.

Jeffrey Wright takes on the new role of Uatu, or The Watcher, a member of The Watcher alien race who observes the multiverse.

The late Chadwick Boseman also has posthumous role in the show, voicing both his iconic character Black Panther and Star Lord.

Marvel have yet to reveal who is voicing Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, though the trailer revealed it was not Robert Downey Jr. The same goes for Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, who will not be voiced by Chris Evans.

What If...? airs in August
Marvel will ask "What If...?" on August 11, 2021. Marvel

What Will Happen In What If...?

Marvel's What If...? is set to give fans a look at what would happen if a pivotal moment in the MCU was changed, like what if Agent Peggy Carter took the Super-Soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers?

Another story that is set to be explored is what would have happened if Eric Killmonger saved Tony Stark during the events of the first Iron Man film?

Benedict Cumberbatch's character Dr. Steven Strange will also be a subject of one of the stories, with his character seemingly being sucked into a different universe.

Is There a Trailer For What If...?

Yes, the official trailer for the show was released by Marvel on July 8, giving fans their first glimpse of the animated series.

In it, Doctor Strange appears to be travelling across the different multiverses, as he is seen being sucked into a time vortex and later meeting Captain Carter.

Captain Carter is seen in full costume and with a shield bearing the British flag, in a twist to Captain America's shield.

In one particularly dramatic moment from the trailer, Iron Man and Captain America are seen as zombies.

Wright's alien character is also heard saying: "I am The Watcher, but I cannot, will not interfere", while Tilda Swinton's Ancient One also claims time is "interchangeable."

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