Season 3 of What If…? doesn’t currently have an official episode list in order. However, based on leaked information, casting calls, and established narrative threads from previous seasons, we can speculate on a plausible sequence of alternate realities exploring familiar and novel corners of the Marvel Cinematic Multiverse. Expect the unexpected, with a blend of humor, heartache, and universe-altering consequences.
Diving Deep into the Multiverse of Possibilities
The What If…? series has consistently delivered thought-provoking and visually stunning reimaginings of pivotal MCU moments. While Disney and Marvel Studios maintain a tight grip on upcoming episode details, certain rumors and logical story progressions allow us to construct a potential season 3 episode lineup. Remember, this list is speculative, based on available information and educated guesses.
Building a Hypothetical Episode List:
Here’s a plausible episode list for What If…? Season 3, presented in a likely chronological order, accounting for narrative potential and previous season setups:
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What If…Doctor Strange Saved Thanos? – Exploring a timeline where Strange intervenes to prevent Thanos from acquiring the Infinity Stones, potentially leading to even more disastrous consequences as new threats emerge.
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What If…Ego Won on Earth? – Delving into a reality where Peter Quill failed to stop Ego’s expansion, showing the devastating consequences for Earth and the galaxy.
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What If…Hulk and Thor Swapped Places? – A lighthearted, potentially comedic episode focusing on the hilarious and chaotic implications of Bruce Banner becoming a god of thunder and Thor transforming into a raging green monster.
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What If…The Mandarin Was a Hero? – This episode could flip the script on the Mandarin, presenting him as a force for good and exploring how the MCU landscape might have changed with a benevolent Ten Rings organization.
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What If…Captain Carter Fought Red Skull in the 21st Century? – Bringing Captain Carter forward in time offers opportunities for her to interact with other modern heroes and face a technologically advanced version of her nemesis.
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What If…Howard the Duck Became Sorcerer Supreme? – A completely absurd and unpredictable episode showcasing Howard the Duck’s unlikely journey to becoming the most powerful sorcerer in the universe.
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What If…The Avengers Lost the Battle of New York? – Exploring the dire consequences of Loki successfully conquering New York, leading to a vastly different world under his rule or another invading force taking advantage of Earth’s weakened state.
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What If…Peter Parker Became a Symbiote Supreme? – Combining Spider-Man with the power of a symbiote on a grand scale, potentially seeing him become a powerful, albeit possibly corrupted, hero or villain across the multiverse.
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What If…The Guardians of the Galaxy Never Met? – This episode explores a fragmented galaxy where the Guardians never formed, leaving key planets vulnerable and the universe facing different, perhaps greater, dangers.
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What If…Kang the Conqueror Rewrote History? – Introducing Kang in a What If…? context could showcase his power and introduce his variations across timelines, potentially setting up the next major multi-season arc.
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What If…A Celestial Hatched on Earth? – Examining a scenario where a Celestial embryo bursts forth on Earth, causing cataclysmic consequences and forcing the heroes to confront a cosmic threat unlike anything they’ve ever faced.
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What If…Ultron Won? (Continuation) – Picking up from the devastating events of the Season 1 finale, this episode could explore the full extent of Ultron’s multiverse-dominating reign and the remaining heroes’ desperate attempts to stop him.
Key Themes to Expect
Season 3 is likely to continue exploring themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and the ripple effects of seemingly small choices. Expect more complex moral dilemmas and narratives that challenge our understanding of the MCU canon. The introduction of Kang the Conqueror variants could further emphasize the concept of predestination versus free will within the multiverse.
Frequently Asked Questions about What If…? Season 3
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify your understanding of What If…? Season 3:
FAQs
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When is the release date for What If…? Season 3?
Currently, there is no official release date for What If…? Season 3. However, based on production timelines and previous season releases, a late 2024 or early 2025 release is a plausible estimate. Stay tuned to official Marvel Studios announcements for concrete information.
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Will The Watcher have a more active role in Season 3?
Given the ending of Season 2, it’s highly likely that The Watcher’s involvement will continue to evolve. While he remains an observer, the lines between observation and intervention are becoming increasingly blurred, suggesting a more proactive stance in the face of existential threats.
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Are any live-action MCU actors returning to voice their characters?
One of the strengths of What If…? is the return of many MCU actors to voice their animated counterparts. Expect to hear familiar voices such as Jeffrey Wright as The Watcher, Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, and potentially others depending on the storylines explored.
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Will Season 3 feature any completely original characters not seen in the live-action MCU?
While What If…? primarily reimagines existing MCU stories, there’s always a possibility of introducing entirely new characters or concepts unique to specific alternate realities. These original additions can add fresh perspectives and unexpected twists to the established universe.
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How does What If…? connect to the broader Multiverse Saga of the MCU?
What If…? acts as a crucial exploration of the infinite possibilities within the multiverse. It establishes the rules and dangers of alternate realities, laying groundwork for larger crossover events and the introduction of key multiverse players like Kang the Conqueror.
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Will we see more returning variants from previous episodes?
The trend of revisiting established variants and storylines is likely to continue. Characters like Captain Carter and Strange Supreme have proven popular and their journeys across the multiverse may not be over.
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What art style can we expect in Season 3?
What If…? is known for its distinctive animated style. Expect a continuation of the blend of cel-shading and 3D animation that gives the show its unique visual identity, potentially with enhancements and refinements.
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Will Season 3 explore any storylines based on the Marvel Comics “What If…” series?
While the series often draws inspiration from the comic books, it also forges its own path. Expect a mix of familiar concepts adapted from the comics and entirely original storylines created specifically for the animated format. Some leaks have suggested episodes based more closely on popular comics storylines.
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How many episodes will What If…? Season 3 have?
Like the previous seasons, What If…? Season 3 is expected to consist of around 9-10 episodes, each exploring a different alternate reality.
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Will Season 3 have a season-long overarching narrative, similar to Season 1 and 2?
Season 1 heavily focused on the rise of Ultron and Season 2 explored the origins of Captain Carter. It’s plausible that Season 3 will also feature an overarching narrative connecting the individual episodes, potentially involving Kang the Conqueror or a similar multiversal threat.
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Where can I watch What If…? Season 3?
What If…? is exclusively available on Disney+. You’ll need a subscription to the streaming service to watch the series.
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Is What If…? considered canon within the MCU?
The question of canonicity is complex. While What If…? explores alternate realities, characters and events from the show can, and have, crossed over into the live-action MCU. Therefore, it’s best to consider the show as a branch of the main MCU timeline, with potential for further integration.
The Future of the Multiverse: What Awaits Us?
What If…? Season 3 promises to expand the boundaries of the MCU multiverse even further, offering fans a glimpse into realities both terrifying and hilarious. As we eagerly await official announcements, the possibilities are truly limitless. Prepare to question everything you know about the MCU as What If…? continues to redefine the narrative landscape.