Why Marvel and What If…? Ends after three seasons

“Marvel’s What If…?” has been part of the Disney+ Marvel Cinematic Universe because the very starting. It was the fourth official Marvel Studios present to launch on the then-burgeoning streaming platform in 2021, following “WandaVision,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” and “Loki” Season 1. The third and closing animated anthology collection. the ultimate season will premiere on December 22, 2024, mimicking the vacation launch window for “What if…?” season 2 in 2023.

Via its broadcast, “What if…?” tried to strike a fragile stability between presenting actually distinctive alternate universe tales and tying into the bigger “Multiverse Saga” of the MCU. There have been recurring characters and steady plots, even when the arcs from episode to episode stay comparatively hypothetical and autonomous. Finally, it looks as if the present’s connective tissue with the bigger MCU’s plot might have been the explanation for its finish after three seasons, a minimum of in accordance with Marvel TV head Brad Winderbaum.

In a current interview with The Hollywood ReporterWinderbaum defined a part of the reasoning for canceling the animated collection. “‘What if…?’ has all the time been tied to the larger MCU and the multiverse saga,” Winderbaum defined. “And for causes that can turn out to be clear within the coming years, it was the proper time to finish the collection from a narrative perspective.” It is also true that three seasons is a fairly first rate size for something animated within the fashionable streaming panorama – a size longer than another Marvel Studios Disney+ present has but obtained.

In line with Brad Winderbaum, there’s a compelling narrative purpose why now could be the proper time to conclude “What If…?” Nonetheless, because of the confusion within the MCU’s multiverse period, this reasoning just isn’t instantly clear.

Though rather a lot has occurred lately relating to the assorted “branches” of the so-called “Sacred Timeline”, the multiverse itself just isn’t going wherever as a primary narrative assemble, or a minimum of it would not look like it. not be. Kang the Conqueror was sidelined because of controversy surrounding actor Jonathan Majors, however Robert Downey Jr. to play Doctor Doom within the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.” It is nonetheless laborious to say precisely the place the franchise goes usually phrases, however it could additionally make sense for Marvel Studios to begin shifting away from narratives. about explicitly the multiverse and begin utilizing it extra as a justification for telling various kinds of tales.

That mentioned, there are certainly different causes at play for the collection’ cancellation. Animation is not low cost, and Disney has made no secret of the truth that the numerous “Star Wars” and Marvel streaming series released in recent years have been incredibly expensive – typically with out the corresponding wage. “What if…?” has been a reasonably constant hit with critics and followers, but it surely additionally hasn’t earned the reward of different current Disney+ movies like “X-Males ’97” or “Agatha All Alongside.”

Whereas Marvel all the time retains the general story of the MCU in thoughts, there are a lot of components that go into whether or not a present is renewed or canceled. If “What if…?” » had obtained vital consideration or been an enormous money cow for Disney+, I am positive the studio would have discovered a story purpose to proceed. However even an organization as big as Disney has restricted assets, and Marvel’s animated wing specifically has began going in numerous instructions currently.

The massive success of “X-Men ’97” most likely made some individuals at Marvel Studios rethink future TV tasks. The collection has no connection to the MCU, and for followers who merely could not sustain with all of the streaming collection launched lately, that was one thing of a promoting level. In the identical interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Winderbaum described one other upcoming animated undertaking, “Your Pleasant Neighborhood Spider-Man,” as “only a enjoyable experience,” emphasizing its comparatively unbiased standing, just like that of “X -Males.” “

“Eyes of Wakanda,” one other upcoming animated collection, will probably be extra instantly tied to the bigger MCU, however its focus, which Winderbaum described as “a narrative of conquest and nationwide identification,” makes it considerably distinct on thematic plan, a minimum of in principle. By its very nature, “What if…?” is a much less targeted present, doubtlessly making it much less appropriate for Marvel’s upcoming animated slate.

As soon as once more, the third and closing season of “What If…?” will premiere on December 22, 2024 on Disney+.