The first season of Marvel's What If...? gave audiences a taste of what bounties of stories the multiverse holds. From worlds overrun by zombies to superhero murder mysteries, the Watcher acted as our guide throughout nine episodes of otherworldly adventures.
With a second season on the way, fans will soon see brand new scenarios of how their favorite films and series could have gone very differently. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe always growing, the possibilities are endless.
What If... Thor Went for the Head?
Perhaps Thor's biggest misstep was not aiming for Thanos's head at the end of Infinity War. Despite nearly felling the Mad Titan, Thor watched as he destroyed half of all life in the universe. He and the other Avengers were broken, knowing it was all their fault.
A universe in which Thor manages to kill Thanos before he could bring about the Decimation sounds like a better one - but what if it wasn't? Doctor Strange didn't seem to see such a possibility among any good futures. Perhaps the Avengers, without the devastating lesson of the stones' true power, would attempt to use them to better their world - only to wreak havoc with a force they do not understand.
What If... Wanda Continued Her Hex?
Even among gods and supergeniuses, it is quite possible that Wanda Maximoff is the strongest Avenger, especially following her massive powerup in WandaVision. It was in that series that she also exposed a town to her great power, manipulating them for days before finally giving up her conjured family and letting everyone go.
But Wanda could have just as easily kept up her hex, forcing the people of Westview to obey her every whim. Before long, word of this anomaly would reach the other Avengers. If Wanda couldn't be reasoned with, they would be forced to attempt to break the hex by force. Seeing Wanda go toe-to-toe with the combined force of the Avengers would doubtlessly be thrilling.
What If... Cap Didn't Go in the Ice?
Steve Rogers displayed his true selflessness when he crashed a Hydra plane into the ice to save its various targets from being bombed to oblivion. In doing so, he gave up his life as he knew it, only waking seventy years later. But, how would world history have changed had it never lost its Captain America?
Captain America's presence would drastically alter post-WWII events. Not only might the war have come to an earlier end, but there would also be the possibilities of more super soldiers being created from his blood. Being around in the Cold War era would also give Steve the opportunity to go head-to-head with the Red Guardian, finally getting to prove which of the two is the true super soldier.
What If... The Spider Bit Ned?
Though unseen so far in the MCU, one of the defining moments in young Peter Parker's life was when he was bitten by a radioactive spider, giving him the ability to do "anything a spider can." But what if the spider had chosen a different teenager to bite? What if it bit Ned?
This episode could prove to be more comedic in tone, depicting Ned Leeds stumbling his way into being Spider-Man and eventually having to deal with the threat of the Vulture. Conversely, without an "Uncle Ben moment," perhaps Ned wouldn't be as altruistic with his powers as Peter was, and end up embracing his more villainous comic book roots.
What If... Bucky Became Captain America?
One of the more divisive topics of the MCU is that of Steve Rogers's successor. While many fans were happy to see Sam Wilson don the shield, many couldn't help but feel that it should have gone to Bucky. An episode of What If...? would be the perfect place to explore such an event.
Plenty of people love Bucky, but plenty hate him too. If he became Captain America, the position would no doubt come with plenty of baggage. After all, he served as a Hydra assassin for decades; the public would likely have some objections to his new title, and no doubt certain skeletons would emerge from his proverbial closet.
What If... Sylvie Listened?
Sylvie's choice at the end of the Loki series is one of the most important decisions ever made in the MCU. Choosing to kill He Who Remains effectively splintered the timeline into pieces, creating the multiverse that will soon be explored in Marvel's Phase 4 and beyond. What if she had listened to Loki and spared He Who Remains's Life?
This episode could serve as a type of lead-in to Loki's second season, depicting what could have been, with Loki and Sylvie getting all they'd ever wanted as a result of He Who Remains's power. Most importantly, this would give fans the opportunity to see if Loki's way of doing things would have really been any better.
What If... Shang-Chi Became the Mandarin?
The newest hero to the MCU, Shang-Chi proved that he wasn't his father when he stopped his plan to break down the Dark Gate - also claiming the ten rings of power for himself in the process. This was a defining moment in his origin story, but it could have gone very differently.
Had Shang-Chi sided with his father in the final battle, provided they both survived, Wenwu would have taken his son back in to train him for greatness. The plan was always for him to fill his father's shoes, and fans could finally have the chance to see that played out. When Wenwu finally did die, it would be Shang-Chi's job to run the Ten Rings - and he would have some very large shoes to fill.
What If... Odin Never Repented?
Though often thought of as a benevolent ruler, Odin is revealed to have once been a conquering tyrant, scouring the Nine Realms with his daughter Hela until finally "growing soft" and becoming a more kindly king. However, according to Hela, there were more than Nine Realms to conquer. What if Odin had continued his conquest?
To see Odin in his prime would be a treat for MCU fans, who have only ever seen the peaceful side of him. His conquests alongside Hela would bring about a very different universe than the one of the Sacred Timeline, and may even include Odin completing his own Infinity Gauntlet, as has been hinted at in the past.
What If... Cap Became President?
Captain America is a national icon and a man whom many respect, which is why it would be easy for fans to imagine him throwing his hat in the ring for president of the United States. What If's eighth episode actually hinted at this possibility during its Ultron-Watcher battle.
Knowing that this universe exists is enough to get fans salivating - as they wonder what a country led by the Star-Spangled Man With A Plan would look like. Steve Rogers, known for his selflessness, could bring about much-needed peace in the world. However, new enemies always seem to rise to meet such peace. Would President Rogers be able to maintain the stability of his nation?
What If... Ant-Man Never Returned?
Ant-Man proved his value to the Avengers when he returned from the Quantum Realm and helped give them a mulligan on defeating Thanos. However, it was only by pure luck that a rat happened to stumble upon the exact buttons to free him from isolation. What if that rat had walked just a hair to the left, keeping Scott trapped for good?
This episode can explore more of a post-Decimation universe, in which there really is no hope for the fifty percent lost. The Avengers would remain at their lowest moment, and as Cap said, would have to try to "move on." But the reality of such a cataclysmic event being so permanent may weigh too heavily on the hearts of these heroes, pushing them to darker places as time carries on.