This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Loki.
Are you ready to ponder What If…? Some lucky people have already done so by getting early access to the first few episodes of Marvel’s upcoming animated series, and they’ve now taken to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the show before it debuts. Reactions for the latest Disney+ project are a little bit more mixed than the streamer’s live-action fare to date, but it looks like we’re in for a wile ride nonetheless.
What If…? springboards off the season finale of the Tom Hiddleston-led series Loki, which opened up a can of multiverse worms for both new and established characters of the MCU. Following the recreation of the Marvel multiverse, What If…? will go on to explore various branching timelines that are no longer being pruned by the TVA to halt the arrival of infinite Kangs, and we’ll get to see some major moments from past Marvel Cinematic Universe films happening quite differently.
Jeffrey Wright leads the huge voice cast as Uatu, a member of the alien Watcher race who observes the multiverse. Other MCU actors have also returned to add a new sprinkle of weirdness to Phase 4, including Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benicio Del Toro, Chris Hemsworth, Clark Gregg, Jeff Goldblum, Jeremy Renner, Kurt Russell, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Douglas, Jon Favreau, Josh Brolin , Karen Gillan, Kat Dennings, Paul Bettany, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, Seth Green (as Howard the Duck!), Taika Waititi, Tilda Swinton and Natalie Portman among a host of others. And, yes, Hiddleston too.
What If…? also features a last performance from late Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman in an episode where T’Challa becomes Star Lord.
“It was amazing being able to work with him,” said What If…? director Bryan Andrews “We only got a small moment because our episodes are so short. I think he was one of the first actors to sign on. He wanted to read scene descriptions in between and built it out like a play. None of us knew what he was going through at the time He was excited to play this particular version of T’Challa because it was different. Because it was a version of him playing the King, but the King without the mantel, the royalty and everything else that goes along with it. He could lighten it up and get more jokey with it. He was excited to bring back that flavor to T’Challa.”
Here’s what early viewers are saying about Marvel’s What If…? so far:
I got to see the first three episodes of #WhatIf. This is probably the most “made for TV” concept of the #Marvel #DisneyPlus shows so far. The animation is pretty good, but it’s a style that takes a minute to settle into. Nice, brisk, 30 minute episodes. pic.twitter.com/FUTxBhvEyB
— Kａiｔlyn Βоｏｔｈ🎆🏖🎇☀️ (@katiesmovies) August 1, 2021
.@Marvel‘s #WhatIf is a fascinating and incredibly satisfying look at what might have been. When I did my show with @StanLee, he once told me that he loved thinking about other ways stories could have gone. It made me think of him. That’s the best compliment I can ever give. pic.twitter.com/gmpuext3g5
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) August 1, 2021
Watched the first three episodes of #WhatIf this week. Impressed with what’s basically Marvel’s version of the Twilight Zone, they make some bold, out there decisions that I don’t think you’d get away with in live action and I’m looking forward to seeing things Get strange (1/2)
— Tom Percival (@twpercival1) August 1, 2021
I’ve watched the first three episodes of Marvel’s #WhatIf and I’m hooked. Each episode is better than the last w/ the third being my favorite. Love how they take a story we know by heart & twist it in all kinds of ways. It’s like the MCU’s Twilight Zone – weird, wild, good fun pic.twitter.com/PQ9deD1Yyl
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) August 1, 2021
#WhatIf is a colorful and fun new twist on your favorite MCU stories. The animation makes everything sighing the frame feel like a comic book in motion. And @jfreewright is the perfect storyteller to guide fans on a journey of what if’s & hypotheticals. pic.twitter.com/LHbat3NQ9W
— Michael Lee (@IamMichaelJLee) August 1, 2021
After 3 episodes, Marvel’s What If…? has potential to be their best D+ show yet. Yes, it’s funny and exciting but the way each twist snowballs in hugely surprising ways kept me guessing and engaged too. Ep 2 in particular (with T’Challa) is one of my fave Marvel things in years. pic.twitter.com/KC66EnIQty
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) August 1, 2021
Saw first 3 episodes of #whatif . Loved the comic so I’m obviously primed to enjoy the series and it delivers. 2nd episode is T’Challa as Star-Lord and it’s a great episode that features @chadwickboseman’s voice and cool surprises. 3rd episode is a better mystery than some movies pic.twitter.com/l0SX2xEY86
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) August 1, 2021
Marvel’s #WhatIf is a whip-smart and refreshing twist on the narratives we know and it commits. Each deftly crafted episode manages to be the perfect length but leaves you wanting more. The look, feel, and tone are all spot on. Great for adults, kids, die-hard and casual fans. pic.twitter.com/9AOKAdB7HA
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) August 1, 2021
#WhatIf is… fine? Has tons of fun ideas on what these familiar stories could be. Has crazy easter eggs that will send fans into a frenzy. Animation feels stiff at times but really comes to life when the action ramps up. What really makes me scratch my head is the voice work.. pic.twitter.com/elAvKywU1O
— Charles Villanueva (@cfsvillanueva) August 1, 2021
Marvel’s #WhatIf offers compelling twists on the #MCU along with stylish animation and outstanding action. However, the abridged storytelling creates a disjointed feeling, and lacks the Marvel magic and heart of the movies. Plus, many MCU stars are not great voice actors.
— Ethan Anderton (@Ethan_Anderton) August 1, 2021
Maybe it’ll get better as it goes along, but I was not particularly inspired by the episodes of Marvel’s WHAT IF…? sent to critics. Leans too heavily on the “Isn’t this crazy?” factor, never telling particularly compelling stories. Voice acting feels literally phoned in.
— Jacob Hall (@JacobSHall) August 1, 2021
Marvel’s What If…? will be streaming on Disney+ from August 11. The 10-episode Phase 4 series will wrap in October before Hawkeye arrives in November, but a second series is already reportedly in development.
The post Marvel’s What If…? Reactions Pour In appeared first on Den of Geek.
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