What If...? Season 2 Release Window, Cast, Plot And More Details
Marvel Studios has spent the last few years exploring the strangest and most intriguing corners of its vast multiverse. This approach is especially pronounced in its Disney+ streaming shows. The most colorful of them all is "What If...?," an anthology series that takes its name and inspiration from the long-running Marvel Comics series. Each episode peers into a Marvel Universe where things are just a little bit different.
How different are we talking about, here? Really different. Season 1 glimpses worlds in which Peggy Carter takes the super-soldier serum, Doctor Strange becomes deranged with grief, and T'Challa becomes Star-Lord. It's a ton of fun to see these alternate takes on heroes who have permeated the zeitgeist — and it appears the MCU isn't done with these stories just yet. "What If...?" Season 2 is speeding towards us, and we have all the details you need to know to tackle this new slate of episodes.
When will What If...? Season 2 be released?
We don't yet have a firm release date for "What If...?" Season 2. We do, however, have a release window. As of this writing, the second slate of episodes is scheduled to debut in December 2023.
This release date marks "What If...?" fans as a lucky bunch; they haven't had to wait all that long for their favorite show to come back. As executive producer Brad Winderbaum noted in an interview with Collider, "We were fortunate enough to get the green light on a second season early enough to have a chance to release it next year." This release date could be subject to change, however. The most likely cause of such a delay would be the strikes currently affecting all of Hollywood. They've already ground many projects to a total halt, and pushed all manner of release dates forward. Such a change isn't guaranteed, but fans should keep a sharp eye out regardless. For now, though, the December 2023 release date holds.
What is the plot of What If...? Season 2?
As an anthology series, each episode of "What If...?" takes place in a different universe. Said difference could spring from a small change or a massive one, with galaxy-ending consequences. Interestingly, the show breaks out of its anthology format towards the end of Season 1. To stop an Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Ultron, the Watcher breaks his policy of nonintervention and brings together Season 1's featured heroes.
It's unclear if Season 2 will follow a similar route by bringing separate stories together in a grand finale. However, we do know some details about the upcoming season's individual tales. Episode 1, "What If ... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper?" will see Captain Carter face her Winter Soldier equivalent, who in this universe is Steve Rogers. Another episode will star Kahhori, a Mohawk woman living in the pre-colonial Haudenosaunee Confederacy, who gains powers from the Tesseract. We also know that certain episodes will take place on Sakaar, and that the series will explore the colonial world established in the celebrated "Marvel 1602" comic series.
Beyond this, intriguing rumors swirl. X (formerly known as Twitter) user CanWeGetSomeToast, a regular MCU scooper, claims the imposing Strange Supreme, a massively powerful version of Doctor Strange, will return in Season 2. They also indicate an episode about the hapless Happy Hogan saving Christmas.
Who is starring in What If...? Season 2?
One of the most impressive aspects of "What If...?" Season 1 is the fair number of MCU movie stars it features. This includes Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and many others. Plenty of new voices get in on the fun as well. Most notably, Jeffrey Wright, best known for his work in "The Batman" and "Westworld," portrays the Watcher, who oversees the multiverse and guides the audience through each new excursion.
Who's set to return for Season 2? Wright, for sure — he's confirmed to be continuing on as the Watcher. We also know that Cate Blanchett will reprise her role as Hela, and Laurence Fishburne will portray Bill Foster in his Giant-Man guise. Beyond that, things are murkier. Many of Season 1's cast members are likely to return for Season 2, but that isn't actually set in stone. Rest assured that the minute we know for certain, we'll have all the details.