Marvel Studios continues to push the envelope in terms of diversity and representation with the second season of What If…?, featuring a significant number of episodes that spotlight female characters. This decision marks an important step in showcasing diverse and powerful narratives within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ensuring that the stories of women are brought to the forefront.
Highlighting Women in the MCU
AC Bradley, Head Writer of What If…?, realized during the panel how much female focus Season 2 has:
“I think a lot of our episodes are actually female led… Captain Carter. Kahori. Actually, gosh, I think actually the number is good for us.”
-AC Bradley, Head Writer-
Bradley’s realization shows how story came first, and What If…? naturally has female characters that are not only present but central to the narratives explored in the series. While Marvel’s commitment to gender diversity is admirable, the organic direction that comes from just having great creatives from various backgrounds enriches the storytelling experience and broadens the appeal of the MCU.
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The inclusion of characters like Hela, Captain Carter, and the newly introduced Kahori is a clear indication of Marvel’s celebration and empowerment of women within its universe. These characters, each with their unique strengths and complexities, offer viewers an array of powerful female perspectives.
Empowering Female Characters
The creative team’s dedication to this initiative is evident, but not mandated or forced as the most annoying “fans” would have the world believe. Bryan Andrews shares how the stories are thought up which highlights the creative process and makes no indication of an agenda:
“We just barreled on into the next thing, not really taking a break. The creative process for us was quite dynamic and organic. Story-wise, it was always just us sitting in a room and nerding out, really immersing ourselves in the Marvel Universe. It was a lot like what Matt mentioned earlier about our approach.
It felt like we were kids again, getting the action figures out and just playing. We would brainstorm, throw ideas around, and sometimes even act out scenes to see how they might play out. This method really helped us to explore the endless possibilities within the Marvel Universe and come up with unique and exciting stories for What If…?.
The entire process was collaborative and driven by our shared passion for these characters and their world”
-Bryan Andrews, Director-
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Andrews’ comments suggest a creative environment that is open to exploring a wide range of narratives, including those that put women at the center of the action. This approach not only adds depth to the series but also aligns with the evolving landscape of superhero storytelling, where diversity is increasingly recognized and celebrated.
Marvel Continues Legacy of Inclusion
What If…? Season 2’s emphasis on female-led stories is not just about representation; it’s about crafting compelling narratives that resonate with a diverse audience. The series sets a precedent for future Marvel projects, showcasing the studio’s commitment to inclusive storytelling.
What If…? Season 2 represents a significant stride forward in Marvel’s ongoing effort to diversify its character lineup and storytelling perspectives. With strong female characters leading the charge, the series is a testament to the exciting possibilities that come with embracing diversity in all its forms.
Marvel Studios’ What If…? Season 2 is now streaming exclusively on Disney+. A new episode will be released each day for the remainder of 2023, ending with the ninth and final episode of the season on December 31, 2022.
About Marvel Studios’ What If…?
Season 2 Release Date: December 22, 2023 (1 New Episode each day, with the season finale on December 31, 2022)
Directed by: Bryan Andrews (S1)
Head Writer: AC Bradley (S1)
Executive Producers: Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Bryan
Andrews, AC Bradley
Production Company: Marvel Studios
MCU Stars Reprising Roles (S1): Andy Serkis, Angela Bassett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Benicio Del Toro, Bradley Whitford, Carrie Coon, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Sullivan, Clancy Brown, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Danai Gurira, David Dastmalchian, Djimon Hounsou, Dominic Cooper, Don Cheadle, Emily VanCamp, Evangeline Lilly, Frank Grillo, Georges St-Pierre, Hayley Atwell, Jaimie Alexander, Jeff Goldblum, Jeremy Renner, John Kani, Jon Favreau, Josh Brolin, Karen Gillan, Kat Dennings, Kurt Russell, Leslie Bibb, Mark Ruffalo, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Douglas, Michael Rooker, Natalie Portman, Neal McDonough, Ophelia Lovibond, Paul Bettany, Paul Rudd, Rachel House, Rachel McAdams, Samuel L. Jackson, Sean Gunn, Sebastian Stan, Seth Green, Stanley Tucci, Taika Waititi, Tilda Swinton, Toby Jones, Tom Hiddleston and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor.
Synopsis
Season two of “What If…?” continues the journey as The Watcher (voice of Jeffrey Wright) guides viewers through the vast Multiverse, introducing brand-new and familiar faces from the MCU. The series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic Universe moments with an incredible
voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles.
Season two features fan-favorite characters this season like Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan, episodes are directed by Bryan Andrews (eps 2-9) and Stephan Franck (ep 1) and written by AC Bradley (eps 3, 4, 5, 8), Matthew Chauncey (eps 1-3, 7, 9) and Ryan Little (eps 6, 8). The animated series is executive produced by Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Bryan Andrews and AC Bradley. The animated series begins streaming on Disney+ on Dec. 22—with a new episode debuting nightly for nine nights.
Which female-led episode are you most excited about? How do you think the inclusion of diverse characters will shape the future of the MCU? What other characters would you like to see take the spotlight in upcoming Marvel projects? Share your thoughts and join us talk all things What If…? on Discord!
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