The next big screen entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are being delayed thanks to COVID-19. However, Marvel still has to make an announcement regarding the fate of its upcoming Disney+ programming. That slate includes a number of live-action shows as well as the animated What If…? anthology series. But according to Stephan Franck, production on the MCU’s first animated project is carrying on as normal, save for a few environmental changes.
Franck, who serves as What If…?’s animation head, spoke to Newsarama to give an update on the series’ status. He also revealed that because California is still under a shelter-in-place order, the series’ creators have had to bring their work home with them.
“I normally split my day between my home studio and the Disney lot for dailies and reviews, but now we’re just doing it all remotely,” said Franck. “From what I hear across town, animation has been able to keep the shows in production with everyone safely working from home. Kudos to the studios for pivoting so fast to remote work.”
That means at least one series will still hit Disney+ as originally scheduled. Regardless, some other animation studios haven’t been as fortunate. Franck noted that other projects are succumbing to work stoppages and delays.
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“It all happened literally within days,” continued Franck. “Unfortunately I’m also hearing about some projects in development or with more distant release dates being put on hiatus, but a fair number of people in animation are still at work from the safety of their home, which we are all grateful for.”
Marvel officially announced What If..? during their Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con last summer. The series will imagine different versions of famous MCU moments, including a world where Peggy Carter was given the super soldier serum and became Captain Britain. Jeffrey Wright will preside over these tales as the voice of Uatu the Watcher. Franck promises that he’s done his research for the show by reading “a lot” of classic What If…? comics.
“I really can’t tell you much about the show, or S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are going to come and take me away,” added Franck. “What I can tell you is that the level of talent and passion on the team is off the charts and that I am having a blast.”
What If…? will premiere on Disney+ in summer 2021.
Are you happy to hear that the series is continuing production? Let us know in the comments down below!
Recommended Reading: What If? Classic: The Complete Collection Vol. 1
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