What If…? Season 3 Release Date, Cast, Storyline, Trailer Release, And Everything You Need to Know
The world of Marvel’s What If…? series continues to expand, offering fans a thrilling glimpse into alternate timelines and possibilities within the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the acclaimed debut season and the recent release of season 2, audiences are eagerly awaiting news on the future of this unique animated anthology. Fortunately, Marvel Studios has confirmed that a third season of What If…? is in the works, promising even more captivating stories and character explorations.
What If…? Season 3 Release Date:
There is no officially announced release date for What If…? Season 3. The series has faced some delays, with the second season initially intended to premiere sooner but being pushed back due to production challenges. When asked about the timeline for the third season, director Bryan Andrews acknowledged the unpredictability of release dates, stating, “They move stuff around.
Every time I thought it was like, ‘Oh, it’s going to be this!’ It’s like, ‘It’s going to move a little bit!'” While a 2024 premiere was initially speculated, Andrews cautioned that it might be “tight” to meet that target. Realistically, fans can likely expect to see What If…? Season 3 arrive sometime in 2025, but Marvel Studios has yet to confirm an official release window.
What If…? Series Storyline Overview:
The What If…? series has carved out a unique niche within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It explores alternate timelines and scenarios that diverge from the established narrative of the films. Each episode presents a “what if” moment, examining how the events of the MCU would have unfolded if a critical decision or circumstance had been different.
In the first season, they delved into various alternate realities, from a world where Peggy Carter became the first Avenger instead of Steve Rogers to a timeline in which T’Challa was abducted by Yondu and became a version of Star-Lord. The episodes offered creative spins on familiar characters and storylines, with the mysterious Watcher as the omniscient narrator guiding viewers through these multiversal adventures.
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Season 2 continued to expand the scope of the What If…? universe, introducing new characters and scenarios. Highlights included an episode in which Nebula joined the Nova Corps and another that imagined the Avengers assembling in 1602. They continued to build upon storylines and characters introduced in the first season, such as the powerful and ominous Strange Supreme.
What If…? Season 3 Expected Storyline:
While details on the specific storylines for What If…? Season 3 remain under wraps, Marvel Studios has provided some tantalizing hints about what fans can expect. Executive producer Brad Winderbaum has teased that the third season will serve as a “culmination” of the Watcher’s narrative arc, delving deeper into the character’s humanity and evolving relationship with the various heroes and villains he observes across the multiverse.
“What’s great about The Watcher is that he presents himself as uncaring, and cold, and just an observer, but he cares more than everybody [and] anybody. That is on full display in the third season,” Winderbaum revealed.
Additionally, the season is expected to revisit some characters and storylines from the first season, providing further exploration and development. Director Bryan Andrews confirmed that one of the episodes will “revisit characters from a Season 1 episode,” though he declined to specify which ones. This suggests that fans may see the return of fan-favorite variants like Captain Carter or Doctor Strange Supreme.
Rumors have also circulated about the potential inclusion of Sam Wilson’s Captain America following the release of first-look images featuring the character; with the MCU’s Phase 4 and 5 introducing an expanded multiverse, the possibilities for What If…? Season 3 are endless as the series continues to push the boundaries of Marvel storytelling.
What If…? Series List of Cast Members:
The What If…? series has assembled an impressive voice cast featuring a wealth of talent across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Returning for the third season are expected to be:
- Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher
- Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter / Captain Carter
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier
- Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Star-Lord
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange
- Karen Gillan as Nebula
- Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger
What If… You Were Chosen? Step into the Multiverse and harness the power of the Infinity Stones in a reality-bending @DisneyPlus Original story from Marvel Studios and @ILMImmersive.
Experience Marvel Studios’ #WhatIf – An Immersive Story, coming May 30 to Apple Vision Pro. pic.twitter.com/KJN0Ia1QxI
— What If…? (@whatifofficial) May 22, 2024
Additionally, new cast members rumored to join the series include:
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America
- Dave Bautista as Drax
- Taika Waititi as Korg
The series’ ability to bring back so many iconic MCU actors to voice their respective characters has been a crucial part of its success, allowing fans to reconnect with familiar faces in these alternate-reality scenarios.
What If…? Season 3 List of Episodes:
As with the first two seasons, What If…? Season 3 will feature nine episodes, each exploring a different “what if” scenario within the Marvel multiverse. While the specific episode titles and storylines have not been announced, fans can likely expect a mix of adaptations of classic MCU moments and brand-new concepts that push the series’ boundaries.
- Episode No. 1: “What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?”
- Episode No. 2: “What If… Peter Quill Attacked Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?”
- Episode No. 3: “What If… Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?”
- Episode No. 4: “What If… Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster?”
- Episode No. 5: “What If… Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?”
- Episode No. 6: “What If… Kahhori Reshaped the World?”
- Episode No. 7: “What If… Hela Found the Ten Rings?”
- Episode No. 8: “What If… the Avengers Assembled in 1602?”
- Episode No. 9: “What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?”
What If…? Series Creators Team:
The creative team behind What If…? has critically shaped the series’ unique tone and storytelling approach. A.C. Bradley, who served as the head writer and executive producer for the first two seasons, is at the helm of the series.
Bradley, known for her work on shows like Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia and Ms. Marvel, brought a deep understanding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a passion for exploring its narrative possibilities. Her work in the first two seasons laid the foundation for the series’ anthology format and the Watcher’s role as a guiding presence.
However, for the upcoming third season, Bradley has stepped down from her position, with Matthew Chauncey taking over as the new head writer. Chauncey, who previously served as the series’ story editor, is poised to bring a fresh perspective to the series while building upon the solid foundation established by Bradley.
Director Bryan Andrews, who helmed most of the episodes across the first two seasons, is returning for the third season. Andrews’ expertise in crafting the series’ distinctive visual style and action sequences has been integral to its success.
The transition in the creative leadership, with Chauncey stepping into the head writer role, suggests that What If…? Season 3 may explore new narrative directions and character arcs while still maintaining the series’ essence and connection to the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Where to Watch What If…? Season 3?
Like the first two seasons, What If…? Season 3 will be exclusively available to stream on Disney+. As the flagship streaming platform for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Disney+ has become the primary destination for fans to experience the latest Marvel content, including the ever-expanding What If…? series.
Viewers can access What If…? Season 3 through their Disney+ subscriptions, allowing them to dive into the multiverse adventures at their convenience. The series’ anthology format makes it easy for long-time fans and newcomers to enjoy the episodes, as each story stands on its own while still connecting to the larger narrative.
With Disney+ continuing to expand its Marvel offerings, including the upcoming releases of shows like Marvel Zombies and the live-action Loki spin-off series Agatha: Coven of Chaos, What If…? Season 3 will be an essential part of the platform’s growing Marvel Cinematic Universe lineup.
What If…? Season 3 Trailer Release Date:
At the time of writing, Marvel Studios has not yet released any official trailer or promotional material for What If…? Season 3. Given the series’ history of releasing new seasons in the latter half of the year, it’s likely that fans can expect to see the first trailer for the upcoming season sometime in mid-to-late 2024, as Marvel begins to ramp up the marketing and hype for the project.
Until then, Marvel enthusiasts can revisit the first two seasons of What If…? on Disney+ to whet their appetites for the next chapter in this captivating animated anthology. The trailer’s release will undoubtedly generate significant excitement among the fanbase, offering the first glimpse into the new alternate realities and character variants that Season 3 has in store.
What If…? Season 3 Final Words:
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand and evolve, the What If…? series has emerged as a unique and essential part of the franchise. The anthology format allows Marvel Studios to explore bold, creative, and unexpected storylines that push the boundaries of the MCU, offering fans a refreshing change of pace from the traditional live-action offerings.
With the confirmation of a third season, audiences can look forward to even more mind-bending adventures through the multiverse, guided by the enigmatic Watcher and brought to life by a talented team of writers, directors, and voice actors. While the specific details of What If…? Season 3 remain shrouded in mystery, the series’ proven track record of delivering innovative, thrilling, and thought-provoking content suggests that the upcoming installment will be a must-watch for any Marvel fan. The What If…? series remains a shining example of the limitless narrative possibilities in this ever-growing cinematic universe as the MCU continues to expand and evolve.
