Loki star Tom Hiddleston revealed how the upcoming Marvel Studios animated series What If...? sets up Phase 4 of the MCU. The series’ 10-episode first season is slated to premiere on Disney Plus this August.
Based on the comics of the same name, A.C. Bradley’s What If…? explores pivotal moments from the MCU that were drastically changed. Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) voices The Watcher, an extra-terrestrial being who observes the multiverse and narrates the series. The large ensemble cast includes Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter/Captain Britain, Josh Brolin as Thanos, Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, and Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger. What If..? notably features the last performance by the late, great Chadwick Boseman.
Hiddleston, who has appeared as Thor’s devious adopted brother Loki in six Marvel films to date, spoke about his part in What If…? on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. “I am intrigued because I haven't seen the whole thing,” said the Marvel star, while adding, “And I know they've got, like, everybody from the Marvel universe to voice their characters...And then it sets up a bunch of stuff in the MCU, which I [of course] know nothing about.” The first What If...? trailer showed Killmonger saving Tony Stark from the abduction that turned him into Iron Man and T'Challa taking over the role of Star-Lord instead of Peter Quill. Meanwhile, Loki was seen leading the troops of Asgard onto Earth and against Nick Fury.
Hiddleston has earned wide-acclaim for this work in Loki, which had its season finale this week on Disney Plus. Loki takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame and centers on an alternate version of Loki, who is enlisted by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) to fix timelines he broke. The ensemble cast includes Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna Lexus Renslayer, Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15, and Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius. Hiddleston's Loki is notably the first openly bisexual character in the MCU.
Loki first appeared in 1962’s Journey into Mystery #85 and was created by legendary Marvel writer Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciler Jack Kirby. The post-credits scene in Loki’s season one finale revealed that there will be a second season of the hit show. Loki is the third Marvel series to debut on Disney Plus, with the first being WandaVision, which recently earned 23 Emmy nominations. The second, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, saw Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprise their respective roles from the MCU. Upcoming Marvel Studios series on Disney Plus include Secret Invasion, Ms. Marvel, Armor Wars, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and an untitled Wakanda series.
While Hiddleston has confirmed that he won’t appear in Thor 4, the 40-year-old actor will reportedly have a role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The cast of Doctor Strange 2 includes Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, and Benedict Wong. Sam Raimi directed the film from a script written by Loki head writer Michael Waldron.
What If…? will premiere on Disney Plus on August 11, 2021.