New images from episode 6 of Disney+’s What If…? reveal Killmonger in Wakanda. Inspired by the comic of the same, Marvel Studios’ animated series explores branched realities by putting a spin on iconic events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For example, the pilot sees Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) take the Super Soldier Serum and become the first Avenger instead of Steve Rogers, while the second installment will follow Black Panther’s T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) getting abducted instead of Peter Quill.
The series is narrated by Uatu the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright), being tasked with observing the multiverse, who seems committed to being impartial. That said, What If…? will follow an anthology format with each episode taking place within a new universe. However, it is confirmed that there will be some sort of overarching story that ties into the multiversal madness kick-started by Loki. In line with the comic, a What If…?’s trailer showed the Guardians of the Multiverse, featuring The Watcher with Thor, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, Gamora, Star-Lord, Peggy Carter, and Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).
Now, Disney has released new images from What If…?. Two pictures labeled with "106" - meaning season 1, episode 6 - reveal new peeks at Killmonger's episode. The first image shows “King Killmonger” in Wakanda leading an army of warriors riding on armored rhinos while the other shows Ramonda, the Queen Mother of Wakanda, leading a group of (mostly) Dora Milaje. Check them out below:
Killmonger’s What If…? episode will reportedly imagine a world where he is the king of Wakanda and, presumably, not a villain like he was in 2016’s Black Panther. In addition to him standing among other heroes, trailers have shown him saving Tony Stark from the Ten Rings during the events of 2008’s Iron Man. It’s unclear where T’Challa is during Killmonger’s episode; while it seems likely “King Killmonger” exists in the same universe as the one where T’Challa is taken to space, leading King T’Chaka to take in Killmonger, the show’s creators have said each episode takes place in a different universe.
The King Killmonger What If…? Funko Pop! sees him holding the severed head of Ultron. Rumor has it that episode 6 might also explore a world where Tony Stark’s A.I. won at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Or, maybe Ultron is merely on the hunt for vibranium and goes directly to Wakanda since, in this alternate world, Killmonger has revealed the nation’s true nature. Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see a version of Jordan’s character that wasn’t abandoned by Wakanda as a child and, instead, grew into a leader who plays an active role in events outside his country's borders.
Source: Disney