''What If...?'' Season 3: ''I wanted to include Hugh Jackman's Wolverine,'' says producer

Image Credit: Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios' animated series "What If...?" concluded with season 3. Set in the multiverse, this series depicts the "what if" story of superheroes, and has gained popularity with fans for several surprises, including collaborations that were not possible in the official story. Brian Andrews, who directed and wrote all three seasons, revealed ideas that unfortunately could not be realized. One of them is the appearance of Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, who joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in "Deadpool & Wolverine" (2024).

In an interview with Agents of Fandom, Andrews said, "If there's one regret, it's that we could have included more mutants in this season!" Storm/Ororo Munroe from X-Men ’97 (2024), a non-canon MCU work, will appear in What If…? Season 3. Her voice actor will be Allison Seeley-Smith, just like in the original 1990s version. “At the time of production, they (Marvel) had made the existence of X-Men ’97 public, so we were able to have Storm appear separately from the live-action version. She was going to be in it, and she had the same voice actress, so she was a mutant. We love Storm, so this seemed like the perfect way to do it. [Omitted] But it takes time to plan and execute these things.”

Unfortunately, Andrews said, “I didn’t know they were going to bring back all the (20th Century) Fox characters.” “If I had known, I could have brought in Hugh Jackman (Wolverine).” However, the story of What If…? is mainly based on ideas that have been approved by Marvel Studios’ higher-ups, so as not to interfere with the development of the MCU. Although they had approached the studio about the possibility of Beta Ray Bill, Ghost Rider, and Iron Fist appearing, it was decided that the studio would not allow them to appear. 

Would the studio have been happy with Wolverine appearing in "What If...?" so soon after "Deadpool & Wolverine"? However, Andrews' attitude is positive. Although "What If...?" has concluded for now, he is open to the possibility of a revival. "If the opportunity arises in the future, I would play with them (Wolverine and the others). At least we got to use Storm, which is great." "What If...?" Seasons 1 to 3 are currently streaming exclusively on Disney+.