The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand its horizons, now venturing into the realm of the undead, offering a darker perspective. The Disney+ show Marvel Zombies draws inspiration from an episode of Marvel's What If...?, which showed a Zombie virus spread throughout the world.
Loving the idea, fans expressed a desire for more of this concept in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Marvel Studios heeded their wishes and has adapted the idea as an animated TV show. The show has a proficient cast and crew, including adept and seasoned writers, contributing to a captivating storyline.
Both iconic heroes and notorious villains from the Marvel universe could find themselves entangled in this undead narrative. Here's everything you need to know about Marvel Zombies, including its plot, cast, and everything else we know about this highly awaited, gruesome TV series.
Is there a release date for Marvel Zombies?
Marvel Zombies has no official release date yet, though it's expected to be released sometime in 2024. Disney exercises a more measured approach when coordinating its ventures for the small screen.
The Marvel Zombies Disney+ show was announced during the 2021 Disney+ Day event, with further specifics revealed at San Diego Comic-Con. This show was just one among several Marvel animated series unveiled, including titles like X-Men '97 and Spider-Man: Freshman Year. A point of interest will be whether the Marvel Zombies Disney+ show holds a place within the official MCU canon, considering that Spider-Man: Freshman Year does not.
The SDCC 2022 revelation also introduced Zeb Wells, a writer acclaimed for his work on Spider-Man comics, as the scribe for Marvel Zombies. It is considered one of the most renowned crossover comic events in the last seventeen years, and the first product of this collaboration is this spin-off show from What If…?.
The series is set to continue the narrative following the events of the zombie-themed What If...? episode. It featured numerous characters from the Marvel Disney+ animated series. Bryan Andrews, who worked on What If...?, will take the helm as director for the entire show.
Season 2 of What If…? is set for late 2023, potentially reviving the Marvel Zombies universe before its official launch.
Who is the cast for Marvel Zombies?
The Marvel Zombies Disney+ show's cast will expand upon the assortment of undead MCU heroes featured in the What If...? episode. In the original episode, only a handful of survivors were confirmed, as most heroes either succumbed to zombification or met their demise.
Traditionally, Marvel has made a concerted effort to maintain actor-character consistency, even in voice acting. Most zombie-centric What If...? episodes were voiced by their live-action counterparts. The sole exceptions were Spider-Man and Captain America, portrayed by Hudson Thames and Josh Keaton.
No official confirmation has been made regarding the voice actors for the Marvel Zombies cast. However, if our assumptions hold, it's plausible that well-known performers like Paul Rudd might reprise their live-action roles for the animated series.
This list of notable actors will likely be part of the voice cast for Marvel Zombies.
Paul Rudd as Ant-Man
Mark Ruffalo as Hulk
Evangeline Lilly as Wasp
Tom Holland (or Hudson Thames, as in What If...?) for Spider-Man
Simu Li as Shang-Chi
Paul Bettany as Vision
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
Danai Gurira as Okoye
Captain America (or potentially Josh Keaton, as seen in What If...?),
Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye
Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch
Brie Larson as Captain Marvel
Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost
Tim Roth is returning for the Abomination
Richard Madden voicing Ikaris
Awkwafina for Katy Chen
Ande Le voicing Death Dealer, Hailee
Steinfeld as Kate Bishop
Iman Vellani for Kamala Khan
Unfortunately, Chadwick Boseman's voice will not carry T'Challa's character forward due to his untimely passing. While there might be some previously recorded lines, it's unlikely they would suffice to complete an entire series.
Should the zombified version of Thanos emerge as the antagonist in Marvel Zombies, the likelihood of Josh Brolin voicing the character remains high. Brolin had lent his voice to the role for other What If...? episodes, indicating his willingness to participate in such endeavors.
What is the plot of Marvel Zombies
The Marvel Zombies TV show will build upon the premise introduced in the What If...? episode. In the series, the world faces a zombie apocalypse that affects not only regular humans but also super-powered heroes. The unique zombie virus possesses a quantum element, transforming these heroes into zombies while retaining their extraordinary abilities.
We have yet to see whether the series will strictly adhere to the plot of the What If...? episode. It may also delve deeper into the narrative explored in the Marvel Zombies comic book stories by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips.
The What If...? episode concluded with a suspenseful note. Survivors, including Peter Parker, T'Challa, and Scott Lang (or at least his head), embarked on a journey to Wakanda, aiming to devise a cure for the virus. This unresolved scenario could serve as a compelling starting point for the spinoff show, offering an intriguing avenue for further exploration.
A substantial horde of zombies awaited them in Wakanda, led by an undead Thanos. His inevitability persisted even in death. While this cliffhanger holds promise for future exploration, it's uncertain when it will be revisited. Although a second season of What If...? is confirmed, the Marvel Zombies concept seems better suited to delve into this narrative thoroughly.
Is there a trailer for Marvel Zombies?
Currently, there is no trailer available for Marvel Zombies. While the production status remains uncertain, it's anticipated that a trailer might not surface until 2024 or later. We will update this page once Disney and Marvel Studios officially releases trailers for Marvel Zombies.
How many episodes will there be in Marvel Zombies?
Marvel Zombies is projected to encompass 4 episodes, ensuring a concise and contained storyline. This is a shorter episode count than the nine episodes of What If...?, as Marvel Zombies concentrates on specific circumstances. Moreover, whispers suggest that the show might carry an R-rated designation, implying the potential inclusion of some of the most intense and violent sequences in the MCU's history.
Where to watch Marvel Zombies?
Marvel Zombies will be available on Disney Plus, similar to What If...?, making it a convenient platform to access all things MCU.
Marvel's announcement that the show will carry a TV-MA rating equivalent to an R-rated movie is an exciting prospect for fans. This decision follows Disney+'s gradual inclusion of more R-rated content, such as Deadpool 1 & 2 and other Marvel films. As a result, the upcoming MCU zombie narrative could potentially feature intense gore and moments of genuine fright.
