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Quick LinksStar Wars Already Has Its Versions of What If…?What If…? Stories Would Cause More Backlash for a Fragile FranchiseProjects Like Star Wars: Visions Are Far More Interesting Anyway

In 2021, Marvel Studios launched its first animated series, What If...? on Disney+. The series borrowed the concept from Marvel Comics and put a twist on the lore by exploring alternate realities based on the events that have occurred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While some parts of What If...? soared, overall, the series left many disappointed. Despite What If...? being a hit-and-miss series, that has not kept some Star Wars fans from wanting to see the same concept played out in a galaxy far, far away.

On top of the desire from fans to see a What If...? version of Star Wars on Disney+, there have also been rumors to accompany it. Under the ownership of Disney, Lucasfilm has taken...

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You mostly know DC Comics for their superhero books, but they've published a fair share of Western comics too: "All-Star Western," "Weird Western Tales," etc. Scarred gunslinger Jonah Hex sometimes crosses over with DC superheroes too. But one 1997 comic went even further out West and turned the Justice League into cowboys: "Justice Riders," scripted by Chuck Dixon and drawn by J. H. Williams III.

In the frontier town of Paradise, the outlaw Felix Faust pulls a daring escape that destroys the town and kills deputy Oberon. Sheriff Diana Prince sets out for revenge and gathers up a posse to bring justice: Kid Flash, Hawkman, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and Martian Manhunter.

Wait, why these characters? Because it's based on the contemporary Justice League line-up. In the late 80s through the mid-90s, "Justice League" mostly starred more obscure characters. That...

Wayne Brady dropped an “unreleased” diss track aimed at astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson.

The Let’s Make a Deal host appeared alongside his co-star, Jonathan Mangum, for a live episode of their What If podcast.

Actor and television personality LeVar Burton, known for hosting Reading Rainbow and his role as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, was also present for the event.

While speaking with Burton, Wayne mentioned they wanted to talk to two guests, him and Neil.

“Did Neil say yes?” Burton asked, and Wayne responded that they hadn’t asked him yet.

“Suck it, Neil!” Burton shouted out, getting laughs from the audience.

Wayne performed an ‘unreleased’ diss with his co-star aimed at Neil deGrasse Tyson

“Ooh, it’s a rap beef! Neil deGrasse Tyson and LeVar Burton,” Wayne exclaimed, laughing after Burton’s remarks about Neil.

“I think I’ve heard that diss track.

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo have crossed one more non-Marvel Cinematic Universe entry off their list this week with the release of their new sci-fi film "The Electric State." Based on the book by Simon Stålenhag, the film sees Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt traverse an alternative 1995, where robots that were once servants to humanity have been abandoned and ostracised following a failed rebellion against their makers. It's among these rusty and worn-down bots, however, that Brown's Michelle finds allies to be reunited with her brother, whom she believed was long since dead, and who could hold the key to bringing the bots back into winning back their rights.

There is a wealth of impressive talent bringing the CGI characters of "The Electric State" to life, though their voices might be hard to recognize on first viewing. To help you navigate the cast, here's a list of hardwired...

The 48th Japan Academy Film Awards ceremony took place on March 14, 2025 at the Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa in Tokyo on March 14, 2025, with free announcer Shinichi Hatori and actress Sakura Ando hosting the show.

“A Samurai in Time” continued gathering awards after the three it netted from Nikkan Sports, Michihito Fujii cemented his place on the top of the current directors, while Yuumi Kawai highlighted that she is the next super star of the local industry. “Kingdom 4″ Return of the General” expectedly won the majority of the technical awards. Here is the full list

Best Picture

A Samurai in Time Fantasia Film Review: A Samurai in Time (2024) by Junichi Yasuda

Best Animation Film

Look Back Anime Review: Look Back (2024) by Kiyotaka Oshiyama

Best Director

Michihito Fujii – Faceless

Best Screenplay

Akiko Nogi – Last Mile Film Review: Last Mile (2024) by Ayuko Tsukahara

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Ryusei Yokohama – Faceless

Best...

Jonathan Majors has finally revealed how he discovered the news that Marvel had fired him. The studio had invested a lot of their future in Majors, whose villain Kang the Conqueror was going to be the connective tissue across the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Multiverse Saga in projects like Loki, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and then-titled fifth Avengers movie, The Kang Dynasty. However, following a very public trial where Majors was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, the actor was found guilty by a jury for one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment, and within minutes, the news broke that Marvel had cut ties with the actor.

In a new profile on Majors in The Hollywood Reporter, Major reveals how he found out about Marvel firing him shortly after he was convicted. Shortly after leaving the courthouse in a black Chevy Suburban, a member of Major's...

Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. had a brief reunion at the 97th Oscars. As Rdj was posing for photos, Jackson walked over and surprised him.

Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. pose for photos at the #Oscarspic.twitter.com/5F1tzDLE8v— Variety (@Variety) March 2, 2025

As an MCU fan, one can't help but feel a mix of excitement and nostalgia to see a brief reunion of the men who brought Tony Stark and Nick Fury to life. It's hard to believe that the Marvel Cinematic Universe got its start 17 years ago when Iron Man opened on May 2, 2008, and Fury had a surprise cameo during the end credits to set up The Avengers. Both actors were part of the birth of the MCU nearly two decades ago, and both played a pivotal role in the shaping of the universe.

RelatedSamuel L. Jackson’s Funniest MCU Moments as Nick Fury

Samuel L.

Tom Hiddleston first played the God of Mischief in 2011's Thor, later reprising the role in Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers, Endgame, What If...?, and eventually a Disney+ TV series, Loki.

It's been quite the ride for the British actor and one he's strongly hinted could be over following Loki season 2's epic final episode. The God of Mischief has become "God Loki," and is arguably the most powerful being in the entire MCU as he powers the newly recreated Multiverse.

We have to believe that'll make him a major player in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. However, with Kang the Conqueror off the table, it's possible Loki was just meant to explain the Multiverse's creation and little else.

Talking to fans while signing autographs outside a theatre in the UK, Hiddleston was asked if he'll be...

Between 2001 and 2011, eight "Harry Potter" movies hit theaters, with the final movie, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," split into two parts. After being cast in the lead role at an extraordinarily young age, Daniel Radcliffe played the titular Boy Who Lived beautifully throughout the entire franchise. Still, if you ask him, he wasn't always great, which is to say that he's not a particularly big fan of one specific installment.

Speaking to The Daily Mail back in 2014 about his career up until that point, Radcliffe said that he's not an especially big fan of watching his own performances, which certainly isn't unusual for performers ... but he also made sure to give a shoutout to the sixth "Harry Potter" movie in a pretty negative way. "I never liked watching myself on film but I do make myself sit through it," Radcliffe began. "I think it comes from not actually realizing...

One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's mainstays could be near the end of his run with Marvel Studios. A new report highlights that Thunderbolts* actor Sebastian Stan is set to enter the final stretch of his MCU deal.

Via ComicBook.com, Stan, known for portraying Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier throughout his MCU run, is approaching the conclusion of a long contract with Marvel. Stan revealed in 2014 that he signed a nine-picture deal with Marvel to portray Bucky. Having debuted in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, Stan has featured in six MCU films, including all four Captain America movies and the last two Avengers entries, making Thunderbolts* his seventh big-screen Marvel project. Add The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and What If...? to his collection and that gives Stan nine MCU credits since his debut.

RelatedMarvel Exec Reveals What's Holding Back Tom Holland's Spider-Man From Appearing in MCU Disney+ Shows...

Oscar-winning filmmaker Charlie Kaufman is making dreams come true with exciting news about his next feature. According to Deadline, Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson, and Patsy Ferran will help lead Charlie Kaufman’s next film, Later the War, which he will write and direct, based on the short story Debby’s Dream House by Iddo Gefen.

Taken from Gefen’s literary collection Jerusalem Beach, the author’s short story follows a man who manufactures dreams for people but ultimately begins creating nightmares for them. Whether Kaufman’s version will adapt the story to its original form is unknown. Additionally, since it’s a short story, he’s bound to add new details. Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum will produce via Waypoint Entertainment, with Sarah Green of Brace Productions and Steven Demmler.

Eddie Redmayne is coming off his Peacock Original series, The Day of the Jackal, focusing on an elusive assassin who...

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had its major ups and downs over the course of more than a decade in theaters. Although the critical responses to recent films have seemed faulty, the world can't ignore just how major of a box office draw it has been. Its characters, from Iron Man to Loki, have all become iconic heroes and villains in pop culture. With the story so well-known and the characters so popular, fans might be surprised to learn that some of their favorite characters were meant to be killed off sooner than they were.

Whether in early versions of scripts or alternate cuts of movies, the story has the opportunity to change vastly before it officially debuts. As of now, with 35 films and 13 television shows, there were many different ideas and possibilities for when the audience's favorite characters could've bitten the dust. Although many of these characters have not...

The worlds of Hawkeye and Daredevil: Born Again are continuing to be brought closer together. After making his Marvel Cinematic Universe return in Hawkeye, Vincent D'Onofrio will be joined by a co-star of the 2021 Disney+ series in the first season of Born Again.

According to Variety, Tony Dalton will reprise his role as Jack Duquesne/The Swordsman in two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again. The character was introduced in the MCU in Hawkeye, where he was revealed to be a wealthy socialite, talented swordsman, and fiancé of Eleanor Bishop, the mother of the female Hawkeye, Kate Bishop. While The Swordsman is often depicted as an enemy of Hawkeye and the Avengers in the comics, in a surprising twist, the MCU version ends up as an ally of the skilled archer. After his uncle Armand Duquesne III is murdered, Duquesne is framed for his death by Eleanor, who also pinned his...

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is Marvel's newest animated series and has reintroduced the character to audiences all over the world. Originally planned to be an animated origin show starring an early version of McU's Peter Parker, the show quickly grew into its own idea, including characters like Norman Osborn and Doc Oc. With all these brand-new, exciting ideas came a lot of opportunities for different versions of characters, particularly heroes.

As the show does take place in a somewhat similar reality to the MCU, many of the heroes in this show bear a striking resemblance to characters whom audiences have already come to know and love. Including the Spider-Menace himself, the show is packed full of comic book heroes big and small.

The Watcher Sees All The Watcher

Although only briefly seen in one shot, audiences got to see another great appearance of the Watcher. The Watcher most popularly hosted...

After years of teases, the first trailer for Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps was released. It showed just enough to get fans excited. Some people were confused by Reed Richards being the only one who didn’t use his powers in the trailer, but this writer loved it; not only does it give people more to look forward to, but who’s to say he has the exact same abilities? Or maybe Marvel’s being careful with what they show.

With the trailer released and the movie coming in the summer, fans will undoubtedly start to look up the history of the Fantastic Four (or Ff) and where certain characters appeared first. Also, who are the heroes and villains that started as Ff exclusives but became something greater? Thankfully, I’m here to give you those answers (you're welcome).

The Fantastic Four

First appearance: The Fantastic Four No.

Quick LinksMost Likely No Season 22025 Sees 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Get Two Sequels... Just Not on Television'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Plot Lines Could Be Resolved in Other MCU SeriesMarvel Could Continue 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' With The New Falcon and a New Winter Soldier

2021 was a big year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as after a year-long delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the franchise came roaring back with a slew of new entries. Phase 4 of the MCU did not begin with a film, but the McU's first proper foray into television series with WandaVision, which, unlike previous series like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, or The Runaways, promised to connect to the MCU films more. While series like Loki, What If...?, and Hawkeye shortly followed, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier might have been the biggest.

Focusing on Sam Wilson...

The Romantic-Comedy genre has served cheeseballs to audiences who have often flocked to them for a pat on the back for years. It has not only provided the audience with the much-needed hope that love is around the corner but has also entertained them with neatly packed humor that makes a dolly out of life’s most lovable moments. However, with changing times, the genre has undergone a makeover of sorts. More films have established the idea of a rom-com but have twisted the narrative to serve the greater good. Subverting the genre has thus become a common trait. Indie films of late have often done wonders within the genre itself. The best romantic comedy movies of the decade have thus come out from the indie cinema. 24 of those are as follows:

24. Two Night Stand (2014) | Director: Max Nichols

“Two Night Stand” revolves around Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller...

Spider-Man has been one of the biggest superhero names for decades, and his newest Disney+ series shows his heroic start at the beginning of high school. The animated series has him facing some of his most iconic villains from the comic books and teaming up with other Marvel heroes. It's different from what viewers have seen of Spider-Man in the MCU, but it shows a Peter Parker who's young enough for these events to maybe have taken place before the MCU films. However, there is a solid answer to whether or not Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in the MCU.

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Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-ManRating PendingAnimationActionScience Fiction3.5/5Release DateJanuary 29, 2025NetworkDisney+WritersJeff TrammellCastSee All

Hudson Thames Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice)

Colman Domingo Norman Osborn (voice)

Where to watchCloseWHERE To WATCHStreaming

Franchise...

A new feature-length Thunderbolts* trailer is here, and it's not shy about its cast being the unlikeliest of good guys.

A full Big Game trailer dropped on Marvel's YouTube page following its Super Bowl debut, previewing a brand new threat and, as warned by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, "The Avengers are not coming." As a result, Bucky Barnes coerces Yelena Belova, John Walker, Red Guardian, Taskmaster, and Ghost to assist him in stopping the threat, despite the team worrying their powers against this villain are limited to "just punch and shoot." The rest of the trailer sees the team evading special forces, causing their fair share of destruction, and Yelena (Florence Pugh) doubting the plan's success because none of them are truly heroes, only for Red Guardian to re-inspire her with a pep talk. He also comedically expresses hope the Thunderbolts' achievements can land them on a box of Wheaties,...

No matter the age bracket, there’s something for literally everybody on Disney+, arguably more so than any other streaming service. And with the new year in full swing, that doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon, especially since the month of February is bringing an eclectic new set of series to stream.

So, whether you’re a comic-book nerd, a Pixar fanatic, a documentary enthusiast, or if you just love Selena Gomez, we’ve rounded up every TV series coming to Disney+ in February 2025.

'Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' (Season 1) Stream New Episodes Every Wednesday

While Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manwill technically be debuting on Disney+ on January 29, with a two-episode premiere, all remaining installments of the first season will be streaming every Wednesday throughout most of February. While technically part of Phase Five of the MCU, the series takes place in an alternate timeline and explores Peter...

In What If...? season 1, we visited a reality inhabited by "Marvel Zombies." The episode concluded with Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Ant-Man returning to Wakanda in a Quinjet...unaware that a zombified Thanos was waiting for them with the Infinity Gauntlet in hand.

Until now, we've been in the dark when it comes to whether the upcoming four-episode Marvel Zombies will address that cliffhanger in any meaningful way (an officially released still of the Mad Titan has suggested it might).

In a new interview to promote the release of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man on Disney+, Marvel Studios' Head of TV, Streaming, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum revealed, "Hudson has been our animated voice for Spdier-Man in the MCU so far. In What If...?, in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and he also plays Spider-Man in Marvel Zombies which comes out Halloween time this year."

Hudson joins a cast which includes Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet...

Quick LinksThe McU's Vision Died a Heartbreaking DeathWhat If Season 3 Kills Another VisionThe Watchers' Big Kill Helps Build Them as VillainsCould The Watchers' Bloodlust Truly Be Curbed?

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there have been many terrifying deaths. Thanos killing Loki in Avengers: Infinity War is one example. In addition, Ultron's army gunning down Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron is quite macabre.

The concluded What If...? anthology series tapped into that dark tone to remind MCU fans that even Disney+ animated series have high stakes. To that end, the show made one of the McU's most brutal deaths a lot more harrowing. It also reiterated that some entities may not ever show mercy once they possess the power of a god.

The McU's Vision Died a Heartbreaking Death Thanos Murdered Vision in Wakanda By Extracting the Mind Stone

RelatedAn MCU Storyline Was Already Done Better in a 5-Year-Old Acclaimed...

Love it or hate it, Rotten Tomatoes is now more important than ever when it comes to whether film and TV fans decide to check out the latest releases at home or in theaters, and it's not uncommon for studios to tout scores as proudly as star ratings.

Marvel Studios Animation has proven to be a big part of the Multiverse Saga with What If...? kicking things off in 2021. Since then, we've had a spin-off of a hit movie, a new take on the McU's Spider-Man, and a revival of one of the most beloved animated TV shows ever.

To mark the release of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, we're taking a look at how each of these shows compares based on their respective Rotten Tomatoes scores. There are no "Rotten" titles but where each of these sits is bound to be a point of contention.

To check them out, you...

On paper, the Marvel Studios animated series What If...? seems like one of the bigger risks taken since the Infinity Saga wrapped up back in 2018, but somehow what could have been a majorly unique and beloved homerun for the multiverse managed to deliver more misses than otherwise with an ultimately overall disappointing series being delivered to fans on the House of Mouse's streaming juggernaut. The best fans can hope for is that the massive multiversal misstep on the part of Team Feige manages to accidentally deliver a few chance nuggets of golden animated storytelling in the way a broken clock could even be right twice a day. 

There are multiple reasons that What If...?'s quality being as lacking as it is might be bad for business and the future of the interconnected comics-based universes. For one, it's more unlikely than so that the future projects in animation from...

“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” brings another iteration of the iconic comic book web-slinger to the screen. Spidey’s been swinging through the Marvel Cinematic Universe for nearly a decade and now, nine years after he made his debut in “Captain America: Civil War,” audience are getting a new story set in that same time period. Kind of.

Thanks to shifting creative priorities at the studios and behind-the-scenes corporate deals, Spider-Man has always had one of the more complicated cinematic canons as an oft-rebooted franchise header who’s also one of the only Marvel Cinematic Universe characters owned by another studio. Then the multiverse hit the MCU and “Spider-Man: Far From Home” blew open the canon even further, putting Toby McGuire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men in play right alongside current franchise star Tom Holland.

Now, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” enters the fray after its own canon-confusing creative journey, so if...

It seems that as the release date of Anthony Mackie’s Captain America: Brave New World gets closer and closer, the controversies have been increasing quite exponentially.

Anthony Mackie in a still from Captain America: Brave New World | Credits: Marvel Studios

From talks of freedom to what (or who) Captain America represented, the questions are many, and fans are angry. However, Marvel Comics already did that 41 years ago in one of the most controversial statements of the comic world!

Marvel is 41 years ahead of it’s time

It was April 1984 when a Marvel comic book was released titled What If? Vol 1 #44. Although it was just another comic book about Steve Rogers in his quest for freedom and everything righteous, however, something happened in the comic books.

Marvel Comics did something similar 41 years ago | Credits: Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics have been known to deal with world politics and represent them in their comic books.

When Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was first revealed, it was initially pitched as a prequel to the Jon Watts trilogy starring Tom Holland. The series was set to fill us in on the details Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming didn't cover, following the young hero becoming a local legend. However, things quickly changed, and the series turned into more of a standalone story, leading to an almost What If...?-inspired reimagining of the MCU mythos on the heels of a massive year for Marvel animation. The aforementioned What If...? wrapped up its final season, while X-Men '97 took the world by storm. The newest branch of Marvel Studios has slowly been charting its own path, so it comes as no surprise that their next series is all about the company's biggest hero.

Marvel Animation's Disney+ offerings have varied in quality, with the highs of X-Men '97 and I Am Groot countered somewhat by the lows of What If...?'s third and final season. With undeniably unique visuals and an unexpected cast of supporting characters, there have been concerns Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man might struggle to swing anywhere near the high bar set by Spider-Man: The Animated Series and The Spectacular Spider-Man. Not only is it more than a match for its predecessors but those perceived weaknesses are what make the Marvel Studios series so inspired and among the best Spider-Man adaptations ever.

Over the course of 10 episodes, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man delivers a brilliantly clever new twist on Peter Parker's origin story, some of the best web-swinging and fight scenes we've seen from this iconic character in any realm, and richly compelling story arcs for all its leads. Norman Osborn...

When the Marvel Cinematic Universe kick-started, it was known for sharing the same narrative across multiple interconnected live-action movies. Sure, a few television series such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. also formed part of this universe, but they were never too impactful to be considered a must-watch. As such, fans would often feel the potential to tell great superhero stories across the small screen was wasted and overlooked. That was our reality for many years until Phase 4 came by and changed everything for the better.

WandaVision would become the first in a long list of Disney Plus shows starring fan-favorite characters and with no shortage of meaningful stories. But while it's been great to see other corners of the Marvel Universe explored across these projects, there's one big downside: Most of them only last one season regardless of how well they do. WandaVision is perhaps the best example of this phenomenon...

In the current political climate, the term woke, whose original roots go back to social awareness regarding social issues, is used as a buzzword for racism and sexism among certain groups. Although Jeff Trammel, showrunner of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, has been adamant about embracing New York City in the show, which is filled with different cultures, the show’s lead had a very contrasting viewpoint.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man | Credit: Disney Plus

Hudson Thames, who previously appeared in the pilot of Ghost, is set to mark his Marvel return as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, and ahead of the show’s release, the actor issued his one concern regarding the show.

Hudson Thames feared his Marvel return would be woke Hudson Thames in Ghosts | Credit: CBS

Having previously voiced Spider-Man in What If, during an interview with Collider, Hudson Thames recounted fearing that the show “was gonna be annoying and woke”. However,...

Marvel is back with an all-new Spider-Man story with the animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” Originally conceived as a prequel to Tom Holland’s debut as the web-slinger in “Captain America: Civil War,” the series was rejiggered as an original story that imagines what might happen to Peter Parker if he was mentored by Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark.

It has been a heck of a long wait since the series was first announced (originally titled “Spider-Man: Freshman Year”) back in 2021, but the “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” is finally here — almost. Here is exactly what time you can watch the new Spider-Man series streaming on Disney+.

When Does “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” Premiere?

The first two episodes of the series debut on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

What Time Does “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” Drop?

Unlike the recent Marvel series “Agatha All Along,” which debuted at 6 p.m., “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man...

The social media embargo for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has been lifted, and based on the early reaction, Marvel Animation seems to rebound following What If...? disappointing final season. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was first announced as Spider-Man Freshman Year in November 2021 and has undergone many changes, from being a direct MCU prequel to being retooled into a standalone project. Four years after its announcement, the series is finally set to debut on Disney+ on Jan. 29, 2025, and early word of mouth is good.

The consensus from those who got to screen the ten-episode season of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has been positive, praising the animation and storytelling that honors various eras of the Spider-Man comic series. Eric Goldman, who has written for IGN and Fandom, posted on Bluesky, "I’ve seen all of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and it’s a blast. It both is inspired by (and has nods to...

Shortly after the main cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps was announced, several supporting players were added to the Marvel Studios reboot, but their characters were not disclosed.

We'd be very surprised if Paul Walter Hauser wasn't playing the villainous Mole Man, and rumor has it that John Malkovich has been cast as one of the team's oldest foes, Ivan Kragoff, aka the Red Ghost.

As for Natasha Lyonne, the most popular theory still seems to be Ben Grimm's love-interest Alicia Masters, but some believe she may provide the voice of H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot. There's also some speculation that she might play a live-action take on her What If...? season 3 character, Birdie.

While speaking to Vanity Fair about her MCU debut, the Poker Face star appeared to drop a pretty big hint about her character.

Just in case, possible spoilers ahead.

"I’m...

Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars look set to be vastly bigger than even 2019's Avengers: Endgame. The ramifications for the wider MCU will be huge, with the former likely to end with the creation of Battleworld and the latter supposedly meant to reboot the franchise.

The Multiverse's Mightiest Heroes will do battle with Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom and we now have a very interesting update courtesy of scooper Daniel Richtman.

According to the insider, we can expect "multiple" Watchers to appear in the next Avengers movies.

In the third and final season of What If...?, we learned more about The Watchers and the fact that Uatu isn't the only one watching over the Multiverse. The reveal didn't come as a surprise to comic book fans - or anyone who saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, for that matter - but it was still a revelation that...

X-Men '97 received highly positive reviews and was widely embraced by the majority of fans. Some episodes were better than others, but one instalment in particular stood out as a low point of the season for a lot of viewers.

Episode 4, "Motendo; Lifedeath - Part 1," featured a mostly self-contained Jubilee adventure along with the first part of a Storm/Forge focused story which was supposed to build towards a romantic relationship forming between the characters.

Unfortunately, this part of the episode felt very rushed, with complaints that the connection between Ororo and the mystical mutant inventor seemed forced. "Lifedeath - Part 1" also introduced Storm's demonic Adversary, a bird-like creature who arrives near the end of the episode with hardly any explanation.

In the thread below, former showrunner Beau DeMayo claims that the reason this episode felt so "off" is because the show's co-executive producer (we assume he's referring to Victoria Alonso) "hated" his original idea,...

Right now, MCU fans everywhere are waiting in anticipation for the release of Avengers: Doomsday, not just because it’s the next big event-movie of the franchise, but because it will see the return of iconic Iron Man actor, Robert Downey Jr. Rdj’s Tony Stark sacrificed himself in Avengers: Endgame, but that won’t be enough to prevent his return in Avengers: Doomsday, especially since he won’t be coming back as Tony Stark, but another character altogether: Doctor Doom. And, if the MCU wants to do this story right, it needs to lean on a forgotten Iron Man plot in Marvel Comics.

The Iron Man plot in question is What If? - Iron Man: Demon In An Armor by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and Graham Nolan. In this one-shot What If? story, Tony Stark and Victor von Doom are college roommates. Stark is a source of constant annoyance for Doom,...

Hopes are high and expectations are even higher for Marvel Studios' slate of upcoming programming. 2024 was a big year for the studio as it successfully developed its new less-is-more strategy and made it a reality. Its sole cinematic release, Deadpool and Wolverine, was a roaring box office success, while Agatha All Along performed extremely well for Disney Plus and brought awards buzz back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It was the victory that Marvel needed after a pretty lackluster 2023, and all sights are now set on its upcoming projects this year to see if it can sustain the momentum. The year kicks off for it with animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man - an McU-adjacent project that will give us a look into the origins of a Peter Parker variant.

The show's premiere is just weeks away and it's set to make history in a way that none of the other Marvel shows have.

Quick Links What Was Russian Doll About? How Did Russian Doll End?

One of Marvel Studios's most ambitious concepts post-Avengers: Endgame has been the Multiverse. It's a tough narrative concept to tackle, even Marvel's competitor, DC Studios, used it to reset the DC Universe in Andy Muschietti's The Flash. Luckily, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a strong handle on alternate realities, culminating in What If...? Season 3.

Many other shows and movies will continue to explore the multiverse concept as the years pass. However, Netflix fans would be remiss not to point out that Natasha Lyonne (the McU's Byrdie) actually embarked on a nuanced story on this back in 2019 with Russian Doll. In fact, the acclaimed comedy did the concept of time-travel and the Multiverse a lot better.

What Was Russian Doll About? Russian Doll Dove Into Time, Space and the Multiverse

Related Disney+ Already Has the Perfect...

Marvel Studios may have finally teased the answer to a seven-year-old MCU mystery in What If...? season 3, which could have major implications for the upcoming Ironheart series. While previous seasons of Marvel Animation's What If...? included only heroes who had already appeared in the McU's live-action projects, What If...? season 3 marked the debut of several characters who hadn't yet appeared in the MCU. One of these new additions perfectly sets the stage for an upcoming MCU series, and could have also solved an annoying Phase 3 mystery.

Among some of the new additions to the MCU in What If...? season 3, the most recent chapter of the animated Multiverse Saga series also featured a number of returning characters. This saw What If...? introduce variants of Sam Wilson's Captain America, Agatha Harkness, Riri Williams' Ironheart, Shang-Chi and Kate Bishop, among others. The latter two appeared as outlaws in the Wild West...

Quick Links What If...? Could Have Fixed the McU's Kang Plot Hole What If...? Didn't Focus on Enough Major Stories Will the MCU Ever Reveal What Happened to Kang?

What If...? has come to a turbulent ending after three seasons, with fans critiquing the series for many missed opportunities that could have helped it stand out amidst the ever-populated Multiverse Saga. The animated anthology series depicts multiple alternate versions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, showing just how different things could have been. Tying the many different storylines together is Jeffrey Wright's Uatu the Watcher, who narrates each episode and gradually comes to the understanding that he must be much more than a passive observer of the multiverse. Along the way, Uatu meets many different heroes from various universes, including Captain Carter, Strange Supreme, Kahhori, the Mighty Storm, and countless more.

What If...? may yet play a crucial role in the Multiverse Saga,...

Marvel Animation's What If...? series has finally redeemed the most disappointing and awkward mistake from 2019's Avengers: Endgame. The Russo brothers' Avengers: Endgame is widely regarded to be the pinnacle of the MCU, rounding off over a decade of storytelling as the penultimate movie of the Infinity Saga. However, this doesn't mean the Phase 3 crossover event wasn't without its issues, and one moment in particular has persisted as one of the most cringe-worthy moments in the McU's history.

Avengers: Endgame marked the conclusion of the Avengers' battle against Josh Brolin's Mad Titan, Thanos, culminating in the dramatic Battle of Earth. This brought together the majority of the heroes in the MCU for the first time, allowing some unexpected partnerships and teams to form on the battlefield, but one didn't have the impact Marvel hoped. Now, however, What If...? season 3's emotional and intense double-finale has redeemed this awkward moment,...

Captain America: The First Avenger was an effective introduction for Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Three years later, Captain America: The Winter Soldier blew it out of the water and, for the most part, it's since overshadowed the 2011 blockbuster.

Cap's origin story is well worth revisiting, and the movie boasts an impressive cast which, alongside Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell, includes Sebastian Stan, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, and Stanley Tucci.

The latter recently spoke to Variety and reflected positively on his brief stint in the MCU where he played the heroic Dr. Abraham Erskine, the man who created the Super Soldier Serum. He also serves as a mentor, of sorts, to the young Steve.

"Then you also have the fun big movies that you do. I loved 'Captain America: The First Avenger,' it was one of the greatest roles and jobs I’ve ever had,...

Warning! Spoilers ahead for What If Galactus Transformed Gambit #1!

Gambit has been transformed into a herald of Galactus in Marvel's latest thrilling What If? one-shot – and by the end of the issue, Remy Labeau has done more than just break free of the Devourer of World's control, he has taken on the ability to imbue dead planets with life, essentially making him the "anti-Galactus."

What If Galactus Transformed Gambit #1 – written by Josh Trujillo, art by Mauel Garcia – ends with Gambit taking on a radical new role in Marvel lore. While the issue takes place outside the publisher's mainstream continuity, it is noteworthy given how it emphasizes just how suited for cosmic heroism Gambit is.

Readers can only hope, for now, that they are treated to more of "anti-Galactus" Gambit in the near future, as the character's memorable way of thwarting Galactus' control vaulted him to the upper echelon of Marvel's cosmic power rankings.

Ever since Tom Holland took over Spider-Man for Captain America: Civil War, the web-slinger has become a major player in the MCU — as a widely-beloved character and a top earner at the box office. Holland has reprised the role five times since, and the studio also added Shameik Moore's voice as Miles Morales' version of the arachnid vigilante in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Additionally, Mad Men actor Hudson Thames lent his voice for Peter Parker's appearances in the animated series What If...?

Despite the high volume of Spidey content Marvel has produced over the last decade, audiences still can't get enough. Luckily, there's plenty more to look forward to. While the fourth Spider-Man film is currently in production and set for a July 2026 premiere, fans will soon get to watch another installment in the franchise featuring the iconic crime fighter.

Quick Links What If's Strange Supreme Was a Tragic Villain What If Season 3 Gives Strange Supreme His Most Important Role Yet What If's Strange Supreme Could Train Other MCU Heroes

The following contains spoilers from What If…? Season 3, Episode 8, "What If… What If…?," now streaming on Disney+.

When What If...? was first revealed, many fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were excited to see how Disney+ would shape these alternate realities. The titular comic produced some of Marvel's most bombastic stories, with heroes being villains, villains being heroes, and unique worlds being devastated in ways the 616-Universe would never allow.

The MCU didn't have space to tell all these stories until What If opened up the Multiverse. After accomplishing that, the show has come to an end after three seasons. It's quite disappointing, as viewers did enjoy most of the episodes. By the time the What If Season 3 finale aired,...

Quick Links What If Season 3 Tampers With All Realities The MCU May Have a Cop-Out In Addressing Peggy Carter's 'Death'

The following contains spoilers from What If…? Season 3, Episode 8, "What If… What If…?," now streaming on Disney+.

What If...? Season 3 ended the series with an explosive, reality-bending journey. The show has been about various realities in the Multiverse. However, there has been one common thread: Jeffrey Wright's Uatu the Watcher breaking his oath.

Despite his seniors warning him about meddling with different worlds, Uatu does so out of the goodness of his heart. Unfortunately, it builds to a harrowing What If Season 3 finale where the bosses come to kill him and his friends. Though the brawl creates an animated masterpiece, it also opens the door to a potentially massive plot hole.

What If Season 3 Tampers With All Realities What If's Watchers Try to Kill All Peggy Carter Variants...

Quick Links What If's Byrdie Isn't a Consistent Hero What If's Byrdie Could Have Been Given a More Powerful Arc

The following contains spoilers for What If…? Season 3, Episode 4, "What If... Howard the Duck Got Hitched?" now streaming on Disney+.

Disney+'s What If...? thrives on introducing wild concepts in various realities. This allows Marvel Studios to play around in its creative sandbox, without messing too much with the live-action movies and shows. It's pretty much a novelty property. That's why heroes and villains sometimes swap places and big deaths occur.

The arcs seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe get subverted without much concern or rules. That's what the Multiverse allows: diverse storytelling to push boundaries and create thought-provoking, fresh narratives. Unfortunately, What If's final season creates a demigod with massive potential, only to end up squandering her. This is none other than Byrdie.

What If's Byrdie Isn't a Consistent...

2024 was a big year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to bring back some familiar faces, heralding the return of many Marvel characters that haven't been seen in some time. As of late, the movies of the MCU have somewhat begun dragging their feet in bringing back established characters, with several big names going multiple years without an update. Although the MCU had fewer releases in 2024, the franchise was still able to bring back some old favorites.

There were a few avenues by which 2024 was able to bring back some notable names that haven't been seen in quite some time. Of course, the standard cameos and returns to familiar faces in series centered on them were always to be expected. The latest season of What If...? also gave audiences a chance to view some variants of relatively new additions to the MCU. Lastly, the many cameos of Deadpool & Wolverine allowed for...

Deadpool is easily one of my favorite Marvel heroes, but I think he is due an upgrade, and thanks to some hints from his latest appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it looks like it could happen soon. Deadpool stands out as one of the most funny, creative, and wild characters from comic book history. He is ridiculously overpowered with immortality and a variety of other powers that are explored throughout the comics, but as far as the movies have adapted him, he's actually been pretty tame, at least in terms of power.

Wade Wilson went from being a mouthy merc whose expertise with weapons was incredible, to an unkillable mutant with one of the most insane healing factors ever, and the ability to break the fourth wall. However, all the Deadpool movies have seen Wade face notable threats, but his comic book counterpart would have no trouble defeating these rivals.

Quick Links Why Marvel Studios' What If...? Left a Lot to Be Desired How James Gunn's Dcu Can Do "What If...?" Better Than Marvel Studios Ryan Murphy and Grant Morrison Show How a DC Multiverse Series Could Work

James Gunn's new DC Universe is really getting started in 2025, with the previous release of the animated series Creature Commandos being followed this year with Superman. The different characters seen in the Man of Steel's next cinematic outing are only the tip of the iceberg for the shared universe. In fact, exploring one major DC concept may give the Dcu a major leg up compared to a recent project for a notable rival.

Marvel Studios' What If...? attempted to adapt the comic book concept of the same name, but some fans didn't feel it truly capitalized on its potential. DC Studios has an opportunity to outclass its biggest cinematic rival...