After a brief cameo in I Am Groot, The Watcher will make his long-awaited return in season 2 of Marvel Studios' What If...? when the animated series begins streaming on Disney+ on December 22. And in the spirit of the holiday season, it's been revealed today (via ComicBookMovie.com) that we'll be invited to unwrap a new episode nightly for nine nights.
Just like January's Echo will boast a unique release schedule by dropping all five episodes on the same day, it seems Marvel Studios is taking a similarly unorthodox approach to sharing this show. Whether they're testing the water for future streaming titles is unclear, but releasing a new instalment nighly over the festive period is a fun and welcome move.
In this first look at the show's second season, a brand new team of Avengers assembles, a Christmastime adventure plays out in Avengers Tower, Hela teams up with Wenwu/The Mandarin, and familiar moments from several previous MCU movies are also highlighted, albeit with a new spin.
Perhaps most intriguing, though, is the fact Thanos is shown battling Captain America during Avengers: Infinity War, only to later clash with Captain Carter. Strange Supreme is also back, and it feels like we're in for a suitably bonkers and epic ride with this second batch of episodes.
Will they have an impact on the wider Multiverse Saga? That remains to be seen, but we'd say it's possible.
"Season two of 'What If...?' continues the journey as The Watcher guides viewers through the vast multiverse, introducing brand new and familiar faces throughout the MCU," reads a brief synopsis also released today. "The series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles."
"Featuring fan-favorite characters this season like Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan, episodes are directed by executive producer Bryan Andrews with executive producer AC Bradley as head writer."
Take a look at the first trailer and poster for What If...? season 2 below.
While not confirmed, we have good reason to believe these are the titles of each episode and the order they'll be released in:
• What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps? (December 22)
• What If... Peter Quill Attacked Earth's Mightiest Heroes? (December 23)
• What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas? (December 24)
• What If... Iron Man Crashed into the Grandmaster? (December 25)
• What If... Captain Carter Fought the Hydra Stomper? (December 26)
• What If... The Avengers Assembled in 1602? (December 27)
• What If... Hela found the Ten Rings? (December 28)
• What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World? (December 29)
• What If... Strange Supreme Intervened? (December 30)