The MCU's New Weapon Creates Problems

The Unveiling of a Hidden Scene

What If...? season 2, episode 1, 'What If... Nebula Joined The Nova Corps,' finally reveals a scene that has been mysteriously concealed by the MCU for half a decade. This exciting installment of the series provides an alternate perspective on the Marvel Cinematic Universe's history, unveiling a pivotal moment that was notably absent from Avengers: Infinity War. The premiere episode of the second season offers a long-awaited glimpse into a scene that should have been shown five years ago, leaving audiences intrigued and hungry for more.

Ronan stares menacingly in What If season 2 episode 1

The episode focuses on Nebula's employment by the Nova Corps following Ronan's betrayal and subsequent demise of Thanos. After thwarting the Mad Titan, Ronan is empowered to pursue his original goal of annihilating a planet. Although the Accuser's appearance is brief, his initial scenes depict him making significant progress toward his objective, surpassing his live-action portrayal.

Ronan looks down at Xandar from space in What If season 2 episode 1

Interestingly, the episode also presents a depiction of Xandar under siege, a crucial event that was missing from Avengers: Infinity War. While the film alludes to Thanos acquiring the Power Stone, it neglects to showcase his siege of Xandar and the conflict with the Nova Corps. This long-anticipated scene, reportedly filmed over 45 minutes, was cut from the movie, leaving fans eager to witness the epic encounter.

Ronan attacks Xandar in What If season 2 episode 1

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

The absence of Thanos's attack on Xandar in Avengers: Infinity War has long been a point of curiosity and frustration for Marvel fans. The film begins with Thanos already in possession of the powerful Infinity Stone, leaving the siege of Xandar and the Nova Corps off-screen. This omission led to speculation and anticipation for a potential flashback in subsequent MCU installments, but Xandar has yet to resurface in the cinematic universe.

A Xandarian runs away from an exploding building in What If season 2 episode 1

What If...? season 2, while not depicting Thanos's assault on Xandar, does show Ronan wielding the Power Stone and devastating a Xandarian city. This portrayal offers a glimpse into an event that was conspicuously absent from Avengers: Infinity War, providing a tantalizing tease of a significant Marvel movie moment. Despite the brevity of the scene, it grants audiences a long-awaited look at the powerful city under siege, highlighting an important aspect of the Marvel narrative.

Nova Prime looks at a display of Xandar in What If season 2 episode 1-1

The Decision Behind the Omission

The decision to exclude Thanos's siege of Xandar from Avengers: Infinity War has raised questions and sparked discussions among fans. The reported 45-minute footage of the siege was deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the film, given its extensive narrative and the need to balance multiple plotlines. With the movie already juggling the acquisition of all but two Infinity Stones on screen and uniting various heroes from different corners of the MCU, a lengthy opening sequence would have disrupted the pacing of Infinity War.

Power Infinity Stone and Orb from Guardians of the Galaxy

Additionally, the absence of prominent MCU heroes on Xandar during Thanos's attack rendered the event less relevant than other pivotal moments in the Infinity Saga. The film's conclusion, featuring the climactic siege of Wakanda, further diminished the potential impact of opening with a similar sequence. Interestingly, the passage of time following the Infinity Saga has led to the possibility of a future episode of What If...? offering the best chance to witness the long-awaited siege of Xandar, shedding light on Thanos's formidable conquest of the powerful city.