The Marvel Cinematic Universe has delivered several incredible entries in Phase 4, including numerous groundbreaking moments that redefine the entire franchise moving forward. However, as fans recently learned in What If...?, each of these moments could have played out very differently.
With a second season of What If...? on the way, premiering sometime in 2022, there are a number of scenarios that could be explored regarding the various events that have occurred in Phase 4 (some of which could prove incredibly intriguing).
What If... The Watcher Saved The Universe?
One particularly interesting idea regarding What If scenarios is actually one that has already occurred. The Watcher breaking his oath was a climactic moment in the final two episodes of the first season, as he gathered the Guardians of the Multiverse in order to stop Ultron Supreme. It would only be natural for the second season of the series to deal with the after-effects of the Watcher's decision.
This could follow the similar comic storyline, which appears in What If...? volume 2, issue 39, wherein Uatu the Watcher breaks his own oath to not intervene in the goings-on of the universe. Perhaps Jeffrey Wright's Watcher could even be brought before a tribunal of other Watchers to answer for his prior actions.
What If... Red Guardian Met Captain America?
Black Widow introduced fans to Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian, a super-soldier that was the Soviet Union's answer to Captain America. Alexei has a propensity to proclaim equality with his American counterpart, who was completely unaware of his existence. However, many fans would be interested in seeing what would occur if the Red Guardian and Captain America did meet.
If the two fought, the Red Guardian could finally learn if he was truly an equal to Captain America or if he would find himself severely beaten and humiliated (which he also experience at the hands of Yelena and Natasha when they reunited in Black Widow).
What If... The Eternals ed The Infinity War?
introduced fans to its titular lineup of mythologically-based superheroes, who must reassess their long-held philosophy of non-intervention in human affairs unless Deviants are involved. Though most of the characters eventually decide to rebel against their mission statement, this decision could have come much sooner, perhaps at the onset of Thanos's attack on Earth.
It would be incredibly interesting to see how the Infinity War may have played out differently if the ten primary Eternals on Earth were to the Avengers in the fight against Thanos. It just may be that they would have defeated the Mad Titan, avoiding the Decimation and subsequent Blip. Whatever might have happened in place of the five-year Blip would be fun for viewers to explore.
What If... Shang-Chi ed His Father?
At the end of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the eponymous hero has a very difficult decision to make: side with his father and the mad plan to resurrect his deceased wife or fight against his own kin. Ultimately, Shang-Chi makes the right choice, but things could have gone in a very different direction.
Such a storyline would directly follow a similar What If comic book scenario, found in the sixteenth issue of the title's first volume, wherein Shang-Chi aligns himself with his father, the rather problematic character of Fu Manchu. While the MCU rightfully altered Shang-Chi's parentage, having the morally upright character side with his supervillain of a father would no doubt rewrite his entire story, making him a more sinister character in the end.
What If... Miles Morales ed The Spider-Men?
Spider-Man: No Way Home had numerous implications for the future of the franchise, but one line that caught the attention of many fans was a sly reference that there has to be a universe where there is a "Black Spider-Man." This is clearly an allusion to Miles Morales, who has yet to make his live-action debut. However, with the multiversal mayhem of the film, he could very well have found himself whisked to Earth-616, along with the other Spider-Man-related variants.
While fans were ecstatic to see all three cinematic live-action versions of Spider-Man unite on the big screen, the only thing that might have made this moment better is an appearance from Miles Morales himself. The Ultimate Spider-Man's presence might have altered the course of No Way Home's ending, perhaps even keeping the film's tragic outcome from occurring in the first place.
What If... Doctor Doom Became Sorcerer Supreme?
Fantastic Four-related characters are well on their way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Doctor Doom, with many fans wondering who might play the iconic supervillain and just how he will fit into the franchise. One comic book storyline offers an alternative to his usual villainy that could act as a fun way to introduce the character to the animated series.
Issue #52 of What If...? featured a story wherein Doom takes over duties as the Sorcerer Supreme, replacing Doctor Strange. Seeing such a scenario play out in the MCU would be a great way to highlight the character's sorcery, which is often underused in his live-action appearances, as well as establish how fearsome a villain he truly is.
What If... Scarlet Witch Created Mutants?
The X-Men are among many of the Marvel characters previously owned by Fox who are now on their way to the MCU. One of many fan theories proven wrong by Multiverse of Madness posed that Scarlet Witch would invite mutants into the franchise in a reverse "House of M" scenario. While this ultimately didn't happen, What If? could explore what might have happened if this was indeed the case.
This scenario could do wonders in appeasing a fanbase that is growing increasingly impatient, wanting to see the mutants' arrival in the MCU by exploring what the franchise might look like had this particular theory proven true. However, the X-Men are still on their way to the MCU proper, indicating that fans may have to wait a bit longer to see the iconic team show up in What If?
What If... The Punisher Became Captain America?
The Netflix Defenders are not only on Disney+ but they are also on their way to the MCU proper. With Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock already appearing in various MCU properties, it is only a matter of time before certain other heroes from the Defenders Saga re-emerge, including Jon Bernthal's Punisher, who has an interesting What If? scenario from the comics.
The second volume of What If's comic series featured a storyline in issue #51 wherein Frank Castle becomes Captain America. The result, of course, is absolute mayhem. Castle could be framed as a different choice for Steve Rogers's successor instead of Sam Wilson, creating a rift between himself and the Avenger that could play out over the course of the episode.
What If... Khonshu Chose Layla?
Though it ultimately proved to be a hoax, the moon god Khonshu often claimed that he planned on replacing Marc Spector with Layla El-Faouly as his avatar. Layla eventually became the avatar of Tawaret in Moon Knight's finale, but what if Khonshu had claimed her first?
If Khonshu had claimed her as his avatar from the beginning rather than Marc, what havoc might she have wrought as the Moon Knight? An episode of What If devoted to this question could feature a far darker Fist of Khonshu than the audience has seen yet.
What If... The Illuminati Won?
One of the most shocking scenes in Multiverse of Madness depicted Wanda Maximoff violently murdering each member of Earth-838's Illuminati, leaving only one alive in her wake. The scene was gruesome and memorable but could have gone in the opposite direction.
While the Illuminati didn't stand much of a chance against Wanda, it would be interesting to see what might have happened had they prevailed against her. Audiences might find that the multiverse would not have been better off at all, as the clandestine council could indeed be just as nefarious as the Scarlet Witch.