WHAT IF... T'CHALLA BECAME A STAR-LORD?: Predicting What Would Have Come From The Cancelled Spin-Off Series

The most touching episode of Marvel Studios' first animated series was arguably What If... T'challa Became A Star-Lord and now knowing there were plans for a spin-off series, we explore the possibilities.

By LiteraryJoe - Oct 16, 2021 10:10 AM EST

Filed Under: Marvel's What If...?

Marvel's What If...? has wrapped up its first season after nine exciting episodes. With another season unlikely to air until 2023, we're breaking down each entry in the series so far and theorizing as to how each universe ultimately unravels.

We already broke down what we think will take place for the future of Captain Carter with our first What If...? theory, and now we turn our attention to Episode 2's Star-Lord T'challa.

With the recent revelation of a planned and canned spin-off series that was meant to follow T'challa and his new blended family of Ravagers and Wakandans, we are going to break down what we think the show could have delivered.

Series director Bryan Andrews revealed the plans for a spin-off series following the events of What If... T'challa Became A Star-Lord? in a recent interview with Variety, though he admits that he's unsure whether or not Boseman was privy to that information prior to his passing.

"Chadwick had recorded his Star-Lord T’Challa stuff early. But we had those later episodes that he appeared in sporadically, and it was a long stretch before we got him [again]. And it was not long after the final recording that he passed. I think it was maybe just a few months or a month.

None of us knew, obviously. But we got him in time to have everything. I think he was also trying to make an effort because T’Challa was so important to him — and also this new version of Star-Lord T’Challa was so important to him. He dug it.

I don’t know if he knew this, but there was planning to have Star-Lord T’Challa spin off into his own show with that universe and crew. We were all very excited. We know he would have loved it, too. And then, you know, he passed, and so all that’s in limbo. So, who knows? Maybe one day."

So, with all of this information at hand, let's explore the possibilities and ponder the question... What If... Star Lord T'challa's Spin-Off Series Wasn't Cancelled?

First of all, it's important to note that director Bryan Andrews did say that this spin-off is still a possibility, but with the death of Chadwick Boseman, it is probably best to let this story rest where it lies. Still, we would be remiss not to imagine what would have been if the late thespian hadn't passed.

Looking to the episode itself, What If... T'challa Became a Star-Lord, it ends on a (mostly) happy note, with T'challa and his family of Ravagers (Yondu, Kraglin, Nebula, Thanos, Taserface, and Korath) along with, presumably, Cosmo the telepathic Russian Space-Dog, all returning to Wakanda and joining his birth family for a touching resolution to the episode. Still, it is shown that Ego, in this universe, is able to locate a powerless Peter Quill, and there is a cliffhanger left open.

Part of that cliffhanger is addressed in the finale, What If... The Watcher Broke His Oath?, with Star-Lord T'challa rescuing Peter from his Celestial father. However, this is the moment that Uatu The Watcher pulls T'challa from time and we don't see how those events play out - despite a random image of both Star-Lords firing guns beside one another.

Assuming the above still takes place during a team-up of Star-Lords to defeat Ego, the two don't look too concerned. Still, it could be argued that it seems that way because T'challa keeps a cool head under pressure while Peter is likely wowed while using "his" gun for the first time.

It's likely safe to posit that a continuation of What If... T'challa Became A Star-Lord? would have begun with The Wakandan and Ravager armies following T'challa in an epic battle against Ego on Earth - Dairy Queen and all. This would be the moment The Watcher returns Star-Lord T'challa to his universe, and it would be the perfect place to pick up his story.

Our theory is that a Star-Lord and the Ravagers series would focus heavily on T'challa taking Peter Quill under his proverbial wing to show him the galaxy he never got to experience in this universe. Much of the focus in What If... T'challa Became A Star-Lord? is about how characters in the universe are different due to T'challa's compassion instead of Peter Quill's idiocy which would make Peter the perfect person for T'challa to try his charm and dialect on next.

The personalities of Peter and T'challa are polarized enough that Quill could in fact be the one that gives T'challa the toughest time with his rascal habits contrasting the Wakandan prince's calm and kind demeanor. It could have made the most interesting pairing with T'challa after Yondu, but unfortunately, we won't likely see it play out.

Meanwhile, Cosmo the Russian telepathic space-dog, who is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics, leaves Knowhere with Star-Lord T'challa during the episode setting him up as a friendly member of the Wakandan Ravager squad for the second season. Although the Collector is still alive, it's unlikely that he would have returned as an antagonist, however, Knowhere itself may have become an issue.

In What If... T'challa Became A Star-Lord the team uses the Embers of Genesis, which is said to be able to restore life to a dying planet, on Knowhere, and the final image of the severed Celestial head seems to hint that it may be coming back to life. And if that's the case a certain other Celestial head could either face off with it in an epic cosmic battle or even worse, Knowhere and Ego could team up to be an even greater threat than The Collector himself.

What are your thoughts on our theories? Would you have liked to see a spin-off featuring Star-Lord T'challa and his merry band of Ravagers? Regardless, be sure to sound off in the usual spot!

Enter the multiverse of unlimited possibilities. Marvel Studios' first animated series, What If...?, starts streaming August 11 with new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+. “What If… ?” features fan-favorite characters, including Peggy Carter, T’Challa, Doctor Strange, Killmonger, Thor and more. The new series, directed by Bryan Andrews with AC Bradley as head writer, features signature MCU action with a curious twist.

Marvel Studios' What If...? Season 1 is now streaming on Disney+.

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