Marvel is reportedly set to produce an animated series based on the popular “What If?” comics for the upcoming Disney+ streaming service.
Reported by /Film, the What If? comics are essentially theoretical stories that are created as fun, fan-service issues that had no bearing on any Marvel canon or continuity – and the Disney+ series will reportedly operate the same way.
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\r\nPerhaps the single biggest draw for Disney\u0027s new service is the very first live-action Star Wars TV series. Director Jon Favreau is overseeing this ambitious project, which is said to have a budget of $100 million for its initial 10-episode run. Little is known about the plot or characters involved, though the series is reportedly set several years after the events of Return of the Jedi and the fall of the Empire. Rumors suggest that the series may center around the planet Mandalore as its citizens rebuild in the aftermath of Imperial occupation. This would make sense, as Favreau himself voiced the Mandalorian leader Pre Vizsla in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”,”height”:1080,”width”:1920,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/favreau-star-wars-1534177044999.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/favreau-star-wars-1534177044999_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”02″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7\r\n
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\r\nStar Wars fans were ecstatic to learn at Comic-Con that The Clone Wars is making a comeback. A 12-episode seventh season will be debuting on the service, helping to wrap up the various unfinished storylines left hanging when the series abruptly concluded on Cartoon Network in 2013. “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/clone-wars-1534177044992.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/clone-wars-1534177044992_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”03″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Star Wars Movies\r\n
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\r\nNaturally, existing Star Wars movies will be included on the streaming service, though not nearly as many as fans might be expecting. Because of various existing licensing deals with the likes of Netflix and Starz, no Star Wars movies made before 2019 are currently able to be included. In particular, Turner has the broadcasting rights to the original six films locked up until 2024. However, Disney is reportedly trying to buy back those rights, so it\u0027s possible the classic films will wind up being available when the streaming service goes live.”,”height”:834,”width”:1482,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/star-wars-1534177045034.jpeg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/star-wars-1534177045034_{size}.jpeg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”04″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Untitled Marvel TV Series\r\n
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\r\nWhile the heroes of the Marvel Universe can currently be seen on everything from ABC (Agents of SHIELD) to Fox (The Gifted) to Hulu (Runaways) to Freeform (Cloak & Dagger), Disney clearly feels there\u0027s still room for more Marvel-themed TV. A new live-action series is being planned for the streaming service, though it\u0027s unknown what characters it might focus on. Speculation involves everything from an Agent Carter revival to the Marvel\u0027s Most Wanted series that never got off the ground at ABC. “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/marvel-tv-1534177045015.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/marvel-tv-1534177045015_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”05″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”MCU Movies\r\n
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\r\nDisney\u0027s streaming service will obviously include as much existing MCU content as possible, though as with the Star Wars movies the actual selection will be limited by the various existing licensing deals in place. With Marvel\u0027s current arrangement with Netflix winding down, 2019\u0027s Captain Marvel will be the first new MCU movie to bypass Netflix and head to Disney\u0027s service instead. However, there is one corner of the MCU fans shouldn\u0027t expect to see make the jump to Disney\u0027s service. Netflix shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage will remain where they are for the foreseeable future. It\u0027s possible they could migrate to Disney\u0027s streaming service one day when Netflix stops making new shows with the Marvel characters, but given Disney\u0027s refusal to include R-rated content, they may be just as happy to let these darker, more adult-oriented shows stay at Netflix.”,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mcu-1534177045016.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mcu-1534177045016_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”06″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Don Quixote\r\n
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\r\nWhile Terry Gilliam\u0027s infamously troubled Man From La Mancha is finally seeing the light of day, that\u0027s not stopping Disney from taking a crack at the beloved Cervantes novel. The Hunger Games writer Billy Ray sold a Don Quixote adaptation to Disney in 2016, one that\u0027s reportedly similar in tone to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. “,”height”:718,”width”:1279,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/don-quixote-1534177044995.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/don-quixote-1534177044995_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”07″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Father of the Bride\r\n
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\r\nThe beloved 1991 comedy (itself a remake of the 1950 original) is being remade for Disney\u0027s streaming service. No cast, director or writer have been revealed.”,”height”:1011,”width”:1799,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/father-of-the-bride-1534177044998.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/father-of-the-bride-1534177044998_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”08″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Flora & Ulysses\r\n
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\r\nIn May 2018 it was revealed that Disney is adapting this popular children\u0027s book into a direct-to-streaming film. Flora & Ulysses follows the misadventures of a grumpy youngster and a super-powered squirrel. “,”height”:637,”width”:1132,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/flora–ulysses-1534177045001.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/flora–ulysses-1534177045001_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:”09″,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”High Fidelity\r\n
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\r\nLike About a Boy, this film adapted from a popular Nick Hornby novel is being re-imagined as a TV series. Scott Rosenberg is returning to write the series, which will reportedly feature a female lead this time.”,”height”:596,”width”:1059,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-fidelity-1534177045006.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-fidelity-1534177045006_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:10,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”High School Musical\r\n
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\r\nDisney is bringing back the successful High School Musical franchise, this time as a TV series rather than a film. It remains to be seen if the series will reboot the franchise or whether the original actors might return in some capacity. It\u0027s also unknown whether the series means the previously announced High School Musical 4 is dead in the water.”,”height”:899,”width”:1599,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-school-musical-1534177045008.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/high-school-musical-1534177045008_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:11,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Honey, I Shrunk the Kids\r\n
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\r\nAfter spawning two sequels and a TV spinoff, the original Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is being remade for Disney\u0027s streaming service. Most likely this will be a full reboot for the franchise, as star Rick Moranis has long since retired from acting.”,”height”:1078,”width”:1917,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/honey-i-shrunk-1534177045009.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/honey-i-shrunk-1534177045009_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:12,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Lady and the Tramp\r\n
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\r\nPractically every classic animated Disney movie is being remade in live-action nowadays, and Lady and the Tramp is no exception. This remake will be directed by Charlie Bean and written by Andrew Bujalski, with Tessa Thompson, Ashley Jensen and Justin Theroux among those providing voices for the canine characters. Filming is expected to begin in September 2018.”,”height”:879,”width”:1563,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/lady-and-the-tramp-1534177045012.jpeg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/lady-and-the-tramp-1534177045012_{size}.jpeg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:13,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Magic Camp\r\n
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\r\nAdam Devine, Gillian Jacobs and Jeffrey Tambor star in this movie about a struggling man who returns to the magic camp that shaped his youth. The film is directed by Mark Waters and written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. It was originally slated to hit theaters in April 2018 but was pulled from release and re-purposed for Disney\u0027s streaming service.”,”height”:798,”width”:1419,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/magic-camp-1534177045014.png”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/magic-camp-1534177045014_{size}.png”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:14,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”The Mighty Ducks\r\n
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\r\nThe Mighty Ducks franchise is returning as a TV series for Disney\u0027s streaming service. Original screenwriter Steven Brill is returning for the new series, which could suggest that it\u0027s meant to be a continuation of the original movies rather than a reboot. Perhaps some of the original Ducks will return to mentor a new generation of would-be hockey stars? “,”height”:720,”width”:1280,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mighty-ducks-1534177045018.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/mighty-ducks-1534177045018_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:15,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Monsters Inc. Series\r\n
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\r\nDisney confirmed in November 2017 that they\u0027re developing a TV spinoff of Pixar\u0027s Monsters Inc. It\u0027s unknown whether the series will be a sequel to the original film or a prequel, a la Monsters University. For all we know, it may not even focus on Sully and Mike.”,”height”:900,”width”:1600,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/monsters-inc-1534177045020.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/monsters-inc-1534177045020_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:16,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Untitled Muppets Series\r\n
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\r\nThe Muppets didn\u0027t have an easy go of things when they returned to television for the short-lived 2015 ABC series, but that\u0027s not stopping Disney from having another go. This new series is separate from the Muppet Babies reboot that premiered on Disney Junior in March 2018.”,”height”:1157,”width”:2048,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/muppets-1534177045021.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/muppets-1534177045021_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:17,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”Noelle\r\n
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\r\nLike Magic Camp, Noelle is a completed film originally scheduled for a 2018 theatrical release but eventually shifted to a streaming-only debut. Anna Kendrick stars as Santa Claus\u0027 daughter Noelle. The film is directed by Marc Lawrence and also stars Bill Hader, Billy Eichner and Shirley MacLaine.”,”height”:601,”width”:1068,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/noelle-1534177045025.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/noelle-1534177045025_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:18,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”The Paper Magician\r\n
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\r\nDisney acquired the film rights to author Charlie Holmberg\u0027s popular YA fantasy series in 2016, and it appears that an adaptation of the first book will be debuting on their streaming service. Presumably, more films will follow, though no cast or director have been revealed yet.”,”height”:927,”width”:1647,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/paper-magician-1534177045027.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/paper-magician-1534177045027_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:19,”albumTotalCount”:29},{“caption”:”The Parent Trap\r\n
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\r\nDisney is remaking 1961\u0027s The Parent Trap for a second time, this time as a streaming exclusive. No cast or director ave been revealed yet.”,”height”:843,”width”:1499,”url”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/parent-trap-1534177045028.jpg”,”styleUrl”:”https:\/\/assets1.ignimgs.com\/2018\/08\/13\/parent-trap-1534177045028_{size}.jpg”,”credit”:””,”objectRelationName”:””,”objectRelationUrl”:””,”albumName”:”Everything Coming to Disney\u0027s Streaming Service (So Far)”,”relativePosition”:20,”albumTotalCount”:29}]’
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One issue in particular, What if? Vol. 1 #47 – What if Loki had found the hammer of Thor? – was signaled out as one episode sources claim will be made. MCU head Kevin Feige will reportedly oversee the show, which could potentially feature vocal talents of the live-action MCU actors reprising their roles in animated forms. Like the comics, the series will reportedly act as an anthology, with each episode revolving around an entirely different premise.
Examples of popular What If? scenarios include What if Spider-Man had joined the Fantastic Four? What if Gwen Stacy had lived? What if the Avengers defeated everybody? What if Doctor Doom became Sorcerer Supreme? and What if Aunt May had been killed instead of Uncle Ben? While these comics are non-canon, elements have managed to leak into proper Marvel lore, including the introduction of Spider-Girl in What If Vol. 2 #105 – What if Spider-Man and Mary Jane’s child had survived?
Watch out video for more on what to expect from this show!
A lot of Marvel content is set to land on Disney+, including a Loki series staring Tom Hiddleston, which will reportedly feature Michael Waldron as showrunner, and The Vision and Scarlet Witch series, which will reportedly feature Captain Marvel co-writer Jac Schaeffer as its showrunner.
On top of major new content coming to Disney+, it will reportedly feature Disney’s “entire motion picture library.” More news on Disney+ is expected to be revealed during a Disney investors meeting on April 11.
Colin Stevens is a news writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.