20 best What If...? storylines that deserve their own MCU TV Shows

The conclusion of Marvel Studios' “What If...?” series may have disappointed fans because it stopped short of inspecting all the potential dimensions found in Marvel Comics' well-known narratives. From 2021 to 2024, the show delivered three seasons that studied diverse alternate timelines together with novel MCU reinterpretations while highlighting the different personality traits of familiar characters. The series had the potential to give the Multiverse Saga even more nuance and intrigue by including unseen stories of power struggles and unexpected partnerships. Our analysis of Marvel's "what if these alternate realities" exists within this extensive universe begins right now. Please note that this article is entirely based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

1. What if Captain America hadn't disappeared during World War II?

In the true story, Captain America wakes up decades after giving his life to save people in "Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)". Steve Rogers breaks down the flying craft while making his way back to "What If?" the duo “Bucky Barnes” and “Steve Rogers” maintained their crime-fighting service across the years until the 1960s. After “Bucky Barnes” became Captain America, the head of SHIELD promoted “Steve Rogers” to direct operations. In the series, it was shown that after Steve Rogers falls incapacitated, Peggy Carter takes over as Captain Britain and battles Hydra and the Nazis.

2. What if Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu had remained loyal to Fu Manchu?

We have seen in Shang-Chi that he rebels against his father “Fu Manchu’s” criminal empire to become a hero & fight for justice. In the “What If?” storyline, Shang-Chi maintains his allegiance to “Fu Manchu's” criminal business and creates mayhem across "Marvel Universe". The Baron's advantages have surged in the "Marvel Universe" where he maintained his loyalty through his battles with “Spider-Man” and “Iron Man” turning him into a dangerous super threat.

3. What if the Punisher was a hall monitor?

In reality, Frank Castle plays the Punisher role through violent means after his family met its unfortunate end at the hands of criminals. In the "What If?" scenario, the Punisher maintained discipline as a hall monitor between his countless killings. Under this scenario, he delivered school discipline with full power. Moreover, undefined risks stayed away because of the intense discipline he used towards students who disobeyed. This light-hearted interpretation highlights his steadfast dedication to maintaining order, even in a school environment, in contrast to his harsh vigilante character.

4. What if Professor X of the X-Men had become the juggernaut?

In the X-Men's real world, Professor X acts as both leader and creator by employing his telepathy to watch over and teach mutants. Within the "What If?" series, the Crimson Gem of “Cyttorak” gave Professor X unchallenged power while making him immune to damage during his transformation into the Juggernaut scenario. A transformation to Juggernaut's status modified his approach dramatically by placing physical force above telepathy leading him to become more confrontational and aggressive while fighting dangerous opponents.

5. What if Jane Foster found Thor's hammer?

Within the original narrative, Thor finds love with Jane Foster an astrophysicist of exceptional talent. Although she does not wield Mjolnir, she helps in numerous plots. In the "What If?" storyline, Jane Foster turned into the mighty Thor receiving his powers once she located Thor's hammer. When her body underwent this transformation, she became responsible for Thor's roles and battled alongside the Avengers to face threats like Loki and Hela.

6. What if Doctor Strange was Dormammu’s disciple?

In the official storyline, Doctor Strange assumes the role of Earth's Sorcerer Supreme before protecting the planet against supernatural threats while battling Dormammu. In the "What If?" timeline, Doctor Strange maintained dark dimensional rule creating chaos between universes and Dormammu succeeded in recruiting him as his apprentice. The characters from Earth's mightiest heroes became Dormammu's adversaries and Doctor Strange pledged allegiance to him regarding his commitment to this magical master. The “What If” series transformed all of MCU's main plots towards pure dark sorcery.

7. What if Jean Grey had not died?

In the authentic storyline, the Phoenix manifests as Jean Grey sacrifices herself to rescue her allies before she meets her tragic death within the MCU. In the "What if?” scenario, Jean Grey successfully handled the Phoenix Force’s strong power and she didn't die according to this timeline. Within this unique timeline, Jean Grey has evolved into a strong mutant force and it leads to tremendous impacts across important battles while transforming group and universe relationships.

8. What if Dazzler became Galactus’ Herald?

In the real timeline, Dazzler, a mutant who can turn sound into light, fights several enemies while pursuing a career as a singer & a superhero. In the "What If?" scenario, Dazzler transformed into a universal-scale superhero if she served as the famous Galactus Herald. She would travel the cosmos in search of planets for Galactus to eat. As a result of this transformation, her character transformed in ways that generate difficult moral questions yet lead to distancing her from her past allies and supporters.

9. What if Loki found Thor's hammer?

Within the established story, Thor stands alone as the rightful grand master of thunder along with Mjolnir's tremendous power. In the "What If?" timeline, Loki first uses his powers of perception, locates Thor and Mjolnir before they break free, and then discovers the Norwegian stick before finding Donald Blake (who has a disability). At that moment Loki launches the stick into distant wilderness before Blake can locate it despite searching for protection from Kronans. The change produces equilibrium throughout the “Marvel Universe” although surprising readers about its unexpected balance.

10. What if the X-Men died on their first mission?

In reality, we know that under the direction of Professor X, the X-Men completed their inaugural task while mourning the attack of diverse enemies threatening humans and mutants. Without X-Men, the mutant population was defenseless during the "What If?" story. On the island of Krakoa, both the New X-Men and the original X-Men are killed. Professor Xavier experiences each member’s death telepathically and feels bad about bringing about his or her demise.

11. What if Silver Surfer possessed the Infinity Gauntlet?

In the true story, the Silver Surfer is Galactus’ herald, searching for planets to devour and then he turns into a hero who fights for justice. In the "What If?" reality, the Silver Surfer possessed incredible power beyond Galactus' abilities. As an entity with this strength, he molded the universe to match his beliefs and wipe out threats before creating his perfect society. However, his morality and willpower were called into question by enormous responsibilities & moral mysteries.

12. What if Professor X & Magneto Co-founded the X-Men?

In the authentic story, Magneto established the “Brotherhood of Mutants” to advance mutant dominance but Professor X created the X-Men to maintain peaceful terms between mutants and human beings. In the "What If?" situation, a combined approach by Professor X and Magneto to found the X-Men produced strategic advantages. The merged direction of the “Brotherhood of Mutants” with Professor X's X-Men projects produced a better enduring relationship between human and mutant groups.

13. What if Legion killed Magneto & Xavier?

In the actual comic book storyline, Legion, the son of Professor X accidentally kills his father when he tries to destroy Magneto. In the "What If?" storyline, without Legion killing both Magneto and Xavier, the mutant world would lose its power completely. Without their leaders, the X-Men and “Brotherhood of Mutants” broke apart so the entire mutant society devolved into a chaotic conflict between emerging dominant factions. The fundamental political structure along with social relations between humans and mutants was altered permanently in the “Marvel Universe”.

14. What if Doctor Doom kept the Beyonder’s Power?

In the "Secret Wars", Doctor Doom obtains Beyonder's power but this temporary possession ends because of both his arrogance and the Beyonder's resilience. In the "What If?" timeline, Doctor Doom retained the Beyonder's power to turn into God who could reshape reality based on his desires. The theory proposes that Doom's dominion over the dystopian world would stretch far enough for heroes together with villains to lose capability against his despotic power. A complete rewiring within the “Marvel Universe” occurred with this development.

15. What if the Marvel Bullpen were the Fantastic Four?

After exposure to cosmic radiation, the “Fantastic Four” consisting of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and The Thing formed a superhero team in reality. According to "What If?", the Marvel creative team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby with additional creators at the "Marvel Bullpen" acquired superpowers and they became the Fantastic Four. By retaining their amazing powers, the Marvel creators produced iconic comic books, which they used to safeguard the entire world. The event functions as a comedic layer in the “Marvel Universe” because it dissolved the lines, which separated creators from their creative production.

16. What if the Radioactive Spider bit someone else?

The real Spider-Man origin story showed Peter Parker was developing to become Spider-Man through spider venom but developed spider-like powers. In the "What If?" scenario, a spider bite transformed Spider-Man and then we would have Mary Jane Watson with spider abilities instead of Peter Parker. The same goes for Flash Thompson. Their interactions with the world modified their entire existence. Different problems developed across the “Marvel Universe” when superheroes interacted with Spider-Man, exhibiting his unique personality and heroic background.

17. What if the Avengers had formed in the 1950s?

During the 1960s, the actual narrative of the Avengers included Iron Man together with Thor, the Hulk, Ant-Man, and Wasp as they defended Earth. In the "What If?" case, the Avengers included Namor, Captain America, and early versions of other characters and they were contented with Cold War threats, which they founded in the 1950s. The external disruptions of the time altered their responsibilities and problems.

18. What if Spider-Man joined the Fantastic Four?

Within the real story, Spider-Man maintained dual roles between his superhero identity and his Peter Parker life independently. According to the "What If?" perspectives, Spider-Man exists alongside the Fantastic Four because he shares his superpowers alongside expert knowledge. The team changed its structural arrangement because of this development leading potentially to a more powerful coalition against threats.

19. What if Iron Man was a traitor?

Tony Stark appears in comic books and television shows as Iron Man since he leads the Avengers through battles against planetary adversaries. In the "What If?" story, Iron Man would choose to compete against the Avengers by supporting enemies such as Thanos and Hydra. Within this hypothetical setting, Tony Stark unites with villains Thanos and Hydra to direct his brainpower against both the Avengers organization and the entire human population.

20. What if the Hulk had become a World War II superhero?

Throughout the original story, the Hulk enters the current time and evolves into an invincible Avenger. In the "What If?" scenario, throughout World War II the Hulk's "Hulk Smash" energy changed the tide of combat against the Axis troops. The Hydra enemies and Thanos were defeated without requiring the help of other Avengers.