Following Marvel Studios' date shuffle for the future Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, fans learned that the Second Season of What If..? will hit Disney+ in December 2023. This, combined with the many rumors and leaks about possible storylines, excited the fans. When it comes to What If...?, there's an infinite amount of possibilities, and the fandom knows this.
What If...? could explore plenty of different scenarios where things transpire as they did in the main timeline. This would allow the franchise to showcase other universes -- maybe from the comics, such as Marvel Zombies and possibly Marvel 1602 - and take things to the next level without compromising the MCU canon.
10 What If... Namor Didn't Hate the Surface People?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced the fandom to Namor, who leads the subaquatic civilization, Talokan. The film pits this kingdom against Wakanda following the government's attempts to control Vibranium. A great deal of Namor's resentment towards this nation comes from the fact that he hates the surface due to the enslavement of his people in previous years.
This hate forbids Namor from joining the surface world, which can be either a blessing or a curse. What If...? could explore Namor's life if he didn't have this hate towards humanity. Therefore, changing his moral alignment and making him a superhero even before the Avengers, or even allowing the U.S. to harness Vibranium without Wakanda's help.
9 What If... Gravik Had Succeeded in the Invasion?
Secret Invasion, the MCU's latest TV show, saw Nick Fury deal with a world-scale threat when it was revealed that Gravik, a Skrull with a vendetta against humans, had organized a rebellion. Like in the comic of the same name, the series shows this shapeshifting race take the place of humans in power as they wait for further instructions.
Secret Invasion was a mixed bag for viewers partly because it was not a complete recreation of the comic event, leaving some fans unsatisfied. What If...? could capitalize on its finale by reverting it and showing the consequences of Gravik's victory. The show could also include how his victory affected other heroes and delve into its destructive consequences.
8 What If... Bucky Barnes Was the Fist of Khonshu?
A fan-favorite when it comes to the What If...? both in the TV show and the comics is the change of monikers. Since fans love T'Challa/Star-Lord, it would be wise for Marvel Studios to keep playing with this format by considering what would happen if the Winter Soldier woke up from his 70-year slumber to become Moon Knight.
Just like Marc Spector, Bucky Barnes is a former assassin who has chosen to correct his past mistakes. This makes him the perfect host for Khonshu, the Moon God, who wants to punish those who harm the travelers of the night. Acting as a vigilante would be on brand with Bucky's broody attitude and could have multiple ramifications in his role with the Avengers and his friendship with Captain America.
7 What If... 1602?
The first season of What If...? included one of Marvel's most beloved alternate earths, Earth-2149, the location of Marvel Zombies. Fans are now more excited because this episode will spawn an animated series. But it could also be a platform to see more alternate universes in future episodes.
One of Marvel's most interesting alternate earths is Earth-311, home of Marvel 1602. This series reimagines the Marvel universe in the Elizabethan era, which modifies all heroes' and villains' designs and backstories. Created by Neil Gaiman, Marvel 1602 is the perfect option for a new expansion of the MCU's multiverse.
6 What If... Hawkeye Had Sacrificed Himself Instead of Black Widow?
Avengers: Endgame's Time Heist included one of the saddest moments of the MCU. On the planet Vormir, Black Widow sacrificed herself to retrieve the Soul Stone. Even though Clint tried to stop her, offering his life instead, she outsmarted him and threw herself from the cliff, allowing Clint to return with his family.
If Clint had died instead of Natasha, things would be quite different in the MCU. Clint eventually passed the Hawkeye moniker to Kate Bishop, so this character's origin story would be very different. Additionally, Yelena and Natasha would have been able to reconnect. What If...? could devote an episode to the consequences of such a radical change in the universe.
5 What If... Gorr Had Killed Thor?
Thor: Love and Thunder sees the God of Thunder go against one of his most dangerous villains ever, Gorr the God Butcher. A resentful man who doesn't believe in deities anymore, Gorr travels the universe, killing all gods until Thor Odinson and his allies stop him.
One of the best things about What If...? is that it re-tells the MCU's most important moments if they had gone wrong without affecting the canon. The show's second seasonshould re-tell the film's events if Gorr had killed Thor. Without the God of Thunder to stop him, Gorr would've gotten stronger and scarier by the second, which fans would love to see.
4 What If... The Avengers Initiative Has Happened Decades Before?
Years before the Avengers Initiative joined Hawkeye, Black Widow, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man together, Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne helped S.H.I.E.L.D. utilizing their shrinking suits, which means they're one of the earliest superheroes on Earth-616. However, no show or film has explored their adventures.
What If...? could take things back a couple of decades and play with the idea of a vintage team of Avengers. This roster could include the original Ant-Man and Wasp, Howard Stark, King T'Chaka, Red Guardian, Isaiah Bradley, a young Nick Fury, and even Odin. Something like Avengers1000000 BC, but in the 1970s.
3 What If... Deadpool Killed the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Now that Deadpool will join the MCU, fans are excited to see how his presence will alter the rating of most Marvel Studios productions, like Blade. Given that Wade Wilson stars in some of the goriest Marvel comics ever, the audience is ready to see him go just as hard in the films.
One of Deadpool's most famous comics, Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, would be the perfect inspiration for a What If...? Deadpool episode. It would be incredibly controversial to see Deadpool kill MCU's favorites, but it would also be the best way to introduce him to this cinematic universe.
2 What If... The Eternals Had Helped in the Battle of New York?
After Eternals revealed that Earth-616 always had a group of superpowered characters hiding on Earth, fans noticed how easily the Eternals could've saved Earth if they had shown up. Unfortunately, Marvel Studios explained that they could only intervene whenever Deviants were involved, meaning humanity couldn't count on them for this kind of battle.
Regardless of this rule, many fans would like to see what would happen if these powerful characters had appeared in the middle of the New York battle and saved everyone. Maybe they would've saved many lives, but the domino effect dictates the Avengers wouldn't have become a thing in the aftermath, which surely would've had terrible consequences in the future.
1 What If... The Opposite Group of Heroes Had Survived The Blip?
Avengers: Infinity War ended with one of the most shocking scenes of the MCU. After Thanos snapped his fingers, half of the MCU superheroes and the rest of the universe faded into dust, leaving the other half to deal with the world's sociopolitical consequences and the psychological aftermath.
It would be interesting to see how things would've developed if the opposite group of heroes had survived the Snap. Instead of the OG Avengers, for example, Black Panther, Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Peter Quill, Sam Wilson, and Peter Parker would've had to organize the Time Heist. Even though they're just as capable as the others, things probably would've worked very differently.