Marvel’s head of Television and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, marks a pivotal moment as the beloved animated series ‘What If…?’ reaches its conclusion. Known for its exploration of alternate realities within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the series finds itself wrapped up due to strategic storytelling decisions tied to the greater Multiverse Saga. Meanwhile, fans eagerly anticipate what’s next for Marvel on Disney+ in 2025, with new series and fan-favorites set to return.
The decision to end ‘What If…?’ was not taken lightly. Brad Winderbaum, during a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, explained that the series was always meant to intertwine with the broader MCU and its ongoing narratives. According to him, the timing of its conclusion will become clearer as Marvel unveils its future projects.
One of the noteworthy episodes features Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Red Guardian (David Harbour) embarking on an adventure. Interestingly, this episode was not intended as a precursor for their dynamic in the upcoming ‘Thunderbolts’ film. It was purely a coincidental alignment of release schedules, as animation takes longer to produce than films.
As Marvel Television gears up for 2025, there’s a lot to look forward to. ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ is one of the most anticipated releases, bringing Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock back into the fold. Winderbaum highlighted the variety in the upcoming slate, mentioning a Spider-Man animated series focused on a young Peter Parker, the adventurous ‘Eyes of Wakanda’, and ‘Marvel Zombies’, which promises a sprawling global narrative.
Winderbaum also addressed the potential for former Netflix Marvel characters, like Colleen Wing, to appear in future MCU stories. With Marvel’s universe officially integrating these characters, the creative possibilities seem endless. He hinted at surprise appearances but remained tight-lipped about specifics.
Conversations also touched upon the beloved character Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. Played by Iman Vellani, Kamala’s journey is a favorite among fans and Winderbaum alike. He assured fans that her story is a key focus, hinting at exciting future appearances without revealing too much.
The overarching theme for Marvel’s future on Disney+ involves presenting a diverse array of stories. Winderbaum referenced his childhood experience of discovering different genres within Marvel comics and hopes to replicate that with the upcoming TV slate. Each series aims to cater to different parts of the fanbase, promising everything from high school superhero antics in ‘Spider-Man’ to intense street-level narratives in ‘Daredevil’. Across these projects, Marvel intends to maintain its tradition of storytelling that resonates emotionally with its audience.
As Marvel Television heads towards a new era with fresh stories and characters, Brad Winderbaum’s strategic decisions have set the stage for another exciting chapter. ‘What If…?’ may have concluded, but the future holds immense potential, with series that promise to captivate and engage fans worldwide.
Source: Yahoo