Season 2 of What If... introduced several unconventional scenarios for beloved Marvel heroes, with one Spider-Man episode aiming for a darker tone. Since the Marvel multiverse has been unveiled, the What If... series has been captivating MCU fans by delving into various imaginative concepts through animation, such as "What if Nebula joined the Nova Corps?" and "What if the Avengers assembled in 1602?" narrated by The Watcher, who breaks the fourth wall.
The Disney+ series is now entering Season 3, and the creators are reflecting on recent developments. It turns out that there were some ideas that didn't make the cut, including a dark Spider-Man story that may have drawn inspiration from a popular dystopian movie.
Spider-Man has multiple dark yet discarded What If…? storylines
In a recent interview with IGN, A.C. Bradley, the showrunner for both Season 1 and Season 2, discussed the increased creative freedom that came with making the second season. "During Season 1, there was pressure to feature the headline characters, such as doing an episode focused on Tony Stark, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange.
"Season 2 provided us with more creative freedom compared to previously. We may not have been creating a multi-million-dollar blockbuster or running live action TV shows, but as the underdog animation show within the Marvel universe, we embraced the opportunity to focus on unconventional characters. Nebula, Darcy, and Hela were among the undervalued and overlooked personalities we highlighted in Season 2, while still considering big MCU names like Spider-Man. Bradley even wrote a dark episode revolving around Spider-Man that didn't make it to the screen, which he referred to as 'Children of Men with Spider Man'."
Children of Men, an acclaimed 2006 British dystopian film, tells the story of a disillusioned bureaucrat who becomes the unlikely champion in the fight for the survival of Earth's population when infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished. He must confront his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger. Bradley took a different route with the second season, writing, developing, and voicing a large part of it during the global lockdowns of 2020.
“The world felt like it was already ending and we didn’t want to contribute to it,” Bradley expressed. “Instead, it became a way to escape and have some fun.”
Bradley didn’t elaborate further on the scrapped Spider-Man episode, but it’s not difficult to believe him. In fact, this isn’t the first time a darker Spider-Man episode has been rejected. In Season 1, there was potential for an episode where the web-slinger transforms into a real spider.
During a 2021 interview, Bradley referenced an original What If run where Spider-Man transformed into a real spider, stating that it was deemed too dark and body horror for the PG-13 rating. With the promotion of the third season, fans are left to speculate on what awaits What If…? and if Spider-Man's dark side will finally be explored.
Stay updated on all things Marvel here and explore more of our superhero content below:
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I'm intrigued by the concept of a darker Spider-Man episode in What If...? Season 2. The idea of exploring a dystopian world inspired by the movie "Children of Men" adds a unique and gritty twist to the beloved character. It's exciting to imagine Spider-Man facing challenges beyond his usual superhero adventures, delving into more complex and thought-provoking storylines.
However, I also understand the decision to shelve the episode due to its potentially disturbing nature. As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate content that pushes boundaries and explores mature themes, but it's important to consider the broader audience and ensure that the show remains accessible to a wide range of viewers. While I would have been interested in seeing this darker take on Spider-Man, I respect the creators' choice to prioritize a more lighthearted and fun approach for Season 2.
