What If…? embarks on its thrilling conclusion with season 3, as previewed by Marvel TV executive Brad Winderbaum. This animated series, which debuted during Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is set to wrap up its multiverse adventures as the saga moves into Phase 6. Anticipation builds for The Watcher’s final narrative journey alongside an ensemble of heroes and villains from various realities.
In the upcoming season, fans can look forward to the introduction of several notable characters, including Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness, Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight, and Dominique Thorne’s Ironheart, all now receiving their animated portrayals. Furthermore, familiar faces such as Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, and David Harbour’s Red Guardian will also make appearances, leading up to their respective roles in the forthcoming films Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts. As the X-Men movie reboot remains a few years away, audiences will also see the character Storm, voiced by X-Men ’97 star Alison Sealy-Smith, make her MCU debut.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Winderbaum highlighted key aspects of What If…? season 3, including a mix of beloved characters and fresh faces. He shed light on the ongoing developments within the Marvel television universe, hinting at plans to potentially canonize prior Marvel television series that predate Disney+.
Aligning Marvel’s What If…? Season 3 With MCU Canon
“You always ask me those hardcore continuity questions…”
ScreenRant: Episode 3 and 4 are absolutely fantastic, and episode 3 especially feels like a prelude to Thunderbolts*. But I heard that this was originally supposed to be a season 2 episode that got swapped into season 3. How did that end up happening?
Brad Winderbaum: Honestly, it’s just serendipity. Developing live-action content takes about two and a half to three years, and animation adds another year to that timeline. Things aligned perfectly. The timing of the Mech Avengers episode featuring Mackie’s Captain America debuting just before Captain America 4 is also a fortunate coincidence.
ScreenRant: One character that we’ve fallen in love with throughout the seasons of What If…? is Captain Carter. What is her role in season 3? And is the Agent Carter show considered canon?
Brad Winderbaum: You always come back with those challenging continuity questions!
For me, it’s thrilling to explore how to incorporate those ABC shows into our canon. It’s a fun area to delve into.
ScreenRant: Did Hayley Atwell’s experience in What If…? influence her decision to return for Doomsday? Were there any Peggy Carter stories that weren’t developed because they aligned too closely with the films?
Brad Winderbaum: I don’t have a definitive answer to that. However, it’s clear that she has a deep love for this character, which makes her irreplaceable. Captain Carter, in particular, possesses incredible nobility.
What’s captivating about Captain Carter is her evolving dynamic with the Watcher. While the series leans toward being an anthology, there’s a developing relationship where they embody either a sibling or almost a parent-child connection, adding complexity to the storyline.
Throughout What If…?’s seasons, we’ve seen a fascinating narrative arc emerge, centered around the Watcher’s transition from being a mere observer to actively interacting with the world, often due to his connection to Peggy.
ScreenRant: Captain Carter emerged as one of the inaugural original characters. What can viewers anticipate in season 3? Is there a new character who might interconnect some of the storylines?
Brad Winderbaum: One character I adore is Byrdie, voiced by Natasha Lyonne. Though I must remain discreet, she wields fascinating abilities, including shooting lasers from her eyes and possesses an undeniably cool demeanor.
The X-Men Join What If…? Season 3 With Storm: X-Men ’97’s Expanding Universe
“X-Men by way of the ’90s — I don’t want to say how — does blossom in many different directions.”
ScreenRant: We’re set to see Storm wielding Mjolnir this season. Were there any other possibilities for X-Men appearances, and what can we expect for Marvel streaming projects involving them post-Secret Wars?
Brad Winderbaum: Alison Sealy-Smith is an iconic voice in the realm of animation. Currently, I’m reviewing season 2 of X-Men ’97, and her portrayal of Storm is remarkable.
Her vocal performance adds so much depth to the character. When the idea emerged to feature her in What If…?, it felt like an obvious choice, especially considering her well-known role as the Goddess of Thunder in a notable issue of What If…?. This synergy makes it especially exciting.
X-Men ’97 is its own unique universe, and the ’90s interpretation of the X-Men is evolving in intriguing ways.
ScreenRant: I’m all in favor of a potential X-Factor cartoon. Can you share insights regarding Nova, including the possibility of exploring “Annihilation”?
Brad Winderbaum: It’s an exciting prospect. Although it hasn’t been officially greenlit, the concept is very intriguing, and I can’t divulge too much yet, but there’s a lot of potential there.
ScreenRant: I’m particularly eager for Eyes of Wakanda since it’s canon within the MCU, resembling how Star Wars: Clone Wars enhanced established narratives..Should we anticipate more animated projects that fit within the MCU canon?
Brad Winderbaum: Potentially. It depends on the story’s alignment. I prefer to view these shows as experiences similar to comics, where not all stories need to fit into the overarching Marvel timeline—each narrative can stand alone. Our goal is storytelling that resonates with the audience, and Eyes of Wakanda certainly encapsulates that. The history of Wakanda is rich and nuanced, especially with Ryan Coogler as the executive producer. His vision creates a vibrant universe, allowing us to explore distinctive narratives within it.
Brad Winderbaum Reflects on the Conclusion of Marvel’s What If…? For Now
“There are probably a hundred episodes that didn’t make it to the screen for every one that did.”
ScreenRant: Brian recently shared some ambitious ideas, including a KISS-themed episode with a Battle of the Bands and a DnD-style dungeon crawl. Were there any concepts you were eager to explore that didn’t materialize? Is this truly the end of What If, or can we anticipate more in the future?
Brad Winderbaum: For the foreseeable future, I believe this is the final season of What If…? However, the beauty of the Marvel universe is that it offers endless storytelling possibilities. We have many concepts that never made it to animation. One episode I loved featured a Winter Soldier Yelena amid a desert standoff, where she collaborates with Sam Wilson’s character, who is facing danger. It was a phenomenal storyline, but ultimately it didn’t come to fruition.
More Insights on What If…? Season 3
The concluding season of What If…? features the much-anticipated return of The Watcher and Captain Carter along with beloved characters, reimagined in fresh contexts. Among the intriguing episodes are “What If… Agatha Went to Hollywood?”, “What If… the Red Guardian Stopped the Winter Soldier?”, and “What If… Howard the Duck Got Hitched?”.
Stay tuned for our upcoming interview regarding What If…? season 3 with:
- Director Bryan Andrews
What If…? season 3 is set to premiere on December 22 exclusively on Disney+.
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