With What If... ? right around the corner, Marvel Studios has announced that it won't be the last animation project that the production company creates.
Victoria Alonso, Executive VP of Film Production at Marvel Studios and one of the main figures responsible for crafting the MCU alongside Kevin Feige, spoke to Variety about the company's first foray into animation, revealing that a "mini studio" will help usher in more animated fare. "We’re going to have our animation branch and mini studio, and there will be more to come from that as well," Alonso said. "We’re super excited about animation, which is my first love."
Alonso began her career as a visual effects producer until working on Iron Man in 2008, where she added co-producer to her résumé. Starting with 2012's The Avengers, she became an executive producer for Marvel Studios' projects, and she's served that function on nearly every MCU film, show, and short to date.
What If... ? will be the first animated project from Marvel Studios, and it seems like that it will tie into the MCU -- especially given the finale of Loki. Whether it's a successful outing or not, it sounds as if the company is already gearing up for more animation. The article also mentions Alonso claiming “a few other shows” will arrive before year's end, but it's not clear whether they will be unannounced animated shows from the mini studio or Alonso is merely referencing Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye, two additional Disney+ shows coming this fall.
"When the chance of being a part of this streaming world came about, we were beyond excited because all of a sudden we could actually give the fans far more than 1/4 of a page or three cool moves," Alonso went on to say about how Disney+ has allowed Marvel to tell even more stories, which What If... ? will exemplify as it explores alternate takes on the MCU. It also means the MCU can represent even more voices than ever before.
Alonso discussed how important it's been for her as a gay woman to see Marvel Studios' projects become more inclusive. "There’s something really magical about being seen," she said. "When you are being seen, the shame drips down like there’s no tomorrow. There’s a layer of shame that goes away, there’s a layer of ‘I don’t belong, I don’t deserve it, I am not worthy’ that goes away."
Marvel's What If... ? debuts Aug. 11 on Disney+.