Marvels What If ...? It is the MCU's first animated project in many ways. This animated film is the first in a series of interconnected TV and movie shows Marvel Studios has been creating for over ten years.What If ...? focuses on the storyline and characters, not the character. What If... is an anthology series that examines alternative universes and realities to Marvel's existing films and shows. It works, after years of lore-heavy movies & shows. The animated series is a refreshing break with bite-sized superhero shenanigans.Light spoilers for What If ...?, Loki and the MCU are belowA.C. Bradley, the head writer of the series, tells The Verge that this flexibility was the best thing about the series. She recalls how she reacted to being offered the show. It's a common occurrence that women write the female heroes and people of colour get to write those of color heroes. White men can write whatever they like. It was a dream come real to actually be able to write Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Killmonger. It was an opportunity that I could not pass up.For example, one episode reimagines Captain America The First Avenger, with Peggy Carter getting the Super Solider Serum, instead of Steve Rogers. Another sees Yondu accidentally nab TChalla, Wakanda, instead of Peter Quill, to become Star Lord. The trailer also shows other episodes, such as Iron Man and Killmonger teaming up to take down the Black Panther villain Killmonger.This is one of the greatest benefits of What If ...?s animated format. It allowed stories to be told without having to consider locations, CGI effects and actor availability. Also, it was free from the constraints of live-action shootings due to the physical laws of physics. The freedom of animation is more apparent in that we are gonna go to this place, this location, and this location. As long as we manage time so we can draw and paint those things, and design those things, it's possible, says What If director Bryan Andrews.Some ideas were just too far-fetched for the first What If ...?. run. Andrews says that there was some stuff that was just a little too far. At first, [Marvel Studios] were like: Yeah, go for that, what do I have? And then they were like: Here. This is all amazing... These may be possible to do later. He explains that the goal of the first season was to stay within the MCU's parameters. They wanted to get closer, spin off moments we recognize or know.Fans won't be able to see What If ...?. At least not for now, there is no multiversal fallout from Sylvies and Loki's actions in Season Finale of Loki. There are two reasons why this is so. Most practical is the fact That What If ...? has been in production since before Loki did. Loki actually began production before him, due to the longer animation runway. However, the creative team wanted to make sure that the series was not too tightly tied down.Bradley explains that we met early on to discuss the rules of multiverse. I took a step back, and decided that it was just going to be fun. I'm not going to make any rules that will affect the TVA. We are not going to have The Watcher and Morbius hanging out yet. We are just going to show Marvel and fans the wild and wonderful places the multiverse can take and get them excited about it.This doesn't mean What If ...? isn't possible. Its alternate universe takes on classic characters such as Captain Carter may not be featured in any future live-action Marvel movies. Bradley jokes that this [decision] belongs someone with a larger paycheck. Andrews agrees that it would be cool.Even if What If ...?'s characters don't appear in an upcoming movie, Loki episode or other film, they will still have an impact on the wider MCU. Andrews said that Doctor Strange in Multiverse of Madness took a look at the What If ...?s version of the character while the live-action film was being made. Andrews says they may have been inspired. They were, I think.
