With 2021’s What If…? The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first foray into animated media was At Comic-Con International in San Diego 2022, Marvel Studios head of streaming, television and animation Brad Winderbaum and head of visual development Ryan Meinerding talked teased the future of the company’s offerings alongside special guests, promising first looks at X-Men ’97, Marvel Zombies and What If…? Season 2 was discussed during the panel.
The panel started with The Watcher starting from What if …? welcoming all to the event. Paul F. Tompkins was the moderator of the event. Winderbaum was soon welcome to the stage. Tompkins inquired about the panel’s first animation for Marvel Studios. Winderbaum spoke about how Marvel Studios animation came from What if …?? , was the best way to make that show. After having done What if …?? , They wanted more animation. Winderbaum spoke about his love for animation and how it was the reason he got into comics. “
Next Tompkins, Winderbaum and Meinerding welcomed Meinerding onto the panel. They showed a reel that showcased his work at Marvel Studios, before inviting him to speak. Winderbaum stated in the video that Meinerding’s designs are among the best in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Studios’ creative team spoke highly of Meinerding and praised his talent.
Tompkins questioned Meinerding on how he got to Marvel Studios. Meinerding replied that animation allows them to employ tools that are more similar to comics in order to bring the characters to life. He suggested that this makes them more powerful than films. Meindering said that Meindering uses the same approach to live-action.
The rest of the animation creative team came out and Kirsten Lepore spoke about I Am Groot , describing how it will focus on different aspects of the character’s childhood, looking at key moments and normal times through a sci fi lens. Her son inspired her to create the show. Tompkins inquired if there would be Guardians of the Galaxy Easter eggs. Bradley Cooper confirmed that he would. The show will feature other familiar characters and faces.
The panel shared a trailer for I Am Groot. Groot is shown fighting miniature aliens with a group of them in the trailer. They celebrate him after he has lost a leaf. The show streams Aug. 10 on Disney+. Next, the panel showed the episode “Groot Takes a Bath”, which was one of several episodes in the series. The episode featured an unusual Marvel Studios credit sequence, which was quickly re-enacted. Groot is seen in a range of outfits thanks to the bath which allows him to grow leaves. It angers an animal nearby.
Tompkins questioned Lepore about her plans for the future. They were still working on five more I Am Groot shorts.
Conversation was mediated by Jeff Trammell, Spider-Man Freshman Year . He said he was excited to do the project and said he grew up watching the ’90s animated series and has re-watched a number of the other shows. He said, “We’re bringing all of the charm, heartbreak and joy of Peter Parker into this series and couldn’t wait for you guys see it.” Trammell showed Peter Parker’s suit design pre Civil War .. Further art was shown off Nico Minoru, Runaways .. The show will feature Lonnie Lincoln and Amadeus Cho as well as Pearl Pangan, Jean Foucault, Harry Osborn, Jean Foucault, Jean Foucault, and Jean Foucault. This show will be about Peter and his journey to become Spider-Man. There will be villains such as the Unicorn and Chameleon, Scorpion, Speed Demons, Tarantula, Tarantula and the Rhino. Peter will have a variety of friends to assist him during his fight, such as Doctor Strange and Daredevil. Charlie Cox, who plays Daredevil on the show’s first season, will return to his role. Norman Osborn will be Peter’s mentor on the show. This will help to shape his character as Spider-Man. A tease was given about another major character but it was not revealed immediately. Art showed several Spider-Man suits.
A new character, Bentley Wittman, will be appearing in the series. Tompkins will voice him. Both Seasons 1 & 2 will feature him. He’ll appear in both Seasons 1 and 2. Freshman Year drops in 2024.
Conversation shifted to AC Bradley, What if …?. Bradley stated that her first question was “What are the greatest stories you could tell?” She said she wanted to explore genres and characters in Season 2 of the Project. Bryan Andrews also commented on the “amazing” experience that Season 2 has given her and said it was a great learning curve. He teased the possibility of them going places people would not expect .. Winderbaum said that Andrews and Bradley taught him how to do animation.
A preview of What if …? season 2 was shared. Andrews stated that they keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible in multiverses. The footage shows Black Widow and Captain Carter/Captain Carter settling in a village of robots. Hela is also back. Ego is also back. Black Panther/T’Challa is also in the trailer, but there’s no voice. A trip to Sakaar is also included. A Mad Max-style sequence where racers face a dangerous track. Iron Man appears on Sakaar. There are also modifications to ShangChi , and Infinity War .. Odin is defeated by Wenwu.
Meinerding spoke about the joy of What if …?? is a twisting game that requires characters to be played with. Andrews addressed Captain Carter, and he was able to see her live-action. He said, “It’s pretty amazing.” It was amazing. […] It was great that she could return to our program. She is the character, she loves it. He also noted that the Doctor Strange character was “not our Captain Carter,” but she would not have been down to Scarlet Witch. The announcements were also made What if …? Season 3.
Andrews stated that they created a Marvel Zombies spinoff due to people enjoying the episode’s ending and the cliffhanger. Andrews has praised Zeb Wells’ work on the project. Meinerding stated that working with the zombies during the first season was “one of the most rewarding parts of that season.” Art was then used to show off the zombies. The first included Hawkeye who was split in half and Captain America, Abomination Ghost Scarlet Witch, Scarlet Witch, Scarlet Witch, and Captain Marvel. Okoye also appears as a Zombie. The heroes in Marvel Zombies will be Yelena Belova, Katy from Shang-Chi, Kate Bishop, Red Guardian, Jimmy Woo, Death Dealer, Shang-Chi and Kamala Khan. Khan will be a major part of the series. It will feature a post-apocalyptic Widows group, Skrull biker gangs and zombie Ikaris from .
Winderbaum discussed X-Men – The Animated Series . This segment began with an overview of the legacy of the show. The segment featured cast members and crew discussing how they felt included, how it was loved and why. Actors praised the new season as the subject of the conversation.
Beau DeMayo discussed the legacy and how to balance it with creating a new and fresh show. He laughed and said, “Lots therapy.” He said, “It has an enormous legacy.” Marvel Studios is the only place where the X-Men can be found, which makes it even more special. It will be their first major project since they re-acquired the rights, which is a great blessing in and of itself. The show was described as a team effort by him and he called his crew “his X-Men.” Larry Houston, Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald were both present at the event and got a standing ovation. DeMayo stated that the MCU wouldn’t have existed without you.
DeMayo made a joke about who would return and said that the only way to determine who will live or die was by applause. Rogue, Beast and Gambit will return. DeMayo stated, “This is the show that taught me who I am.” The X-Men have a timeless appeal, which is why the world can still learn a lot from them, no matter what their fate. This revival will examine whether Xavier’s dream still holds true today. Cable and Bishop are also expected to join Forge. Two new members will join the team, Nightcrawler (and Sunspot).
Magneto will make a comeback in a brand new costume. It is unclear if he will become a villain. Magneto will be the leader of the X-Men. Magneto will lead the X-Men. The Hellfire Club also appears. Val Cooper will be a major character in the X Men revival story. Mister Sinister, a villain who challenges the X-Men “face the future”, will also be appearing. “
DeMayo said that episodes weren’t finished but showed a glimpse at the animatic. In the early animation, Cyclops faced off against Trask (and the Sentinels) alongside the X-Men. The Sentinels are defeated. Beast takes control of a Sentinel from the inside. Over the footage, you can hear the classic theme song. DeMayo explained that Disney+ had rearranged the episodes so Jean Grey doesn’t just mysteriously return after the “Dark Phoenix Saga.” DeMayo also revealed that there are still some mysteries to be solved from the original. It will be back for another season.
The panel was closed with a complete episode of What if …? Season II was shown. The episode was called “What If Captain Carter Fought Hydra Stomper”. This episode focuses on the return to Steve Rogers wearing the Hydra Stomper armour. He’s also working against them, just like Winter Soldier. The episode mixes Captain America’s Winter Soldier with elements from Black Widow ..
