The upcoming animated series Marvel Zombies will feature a dark new take on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with announcements made at 2021’s Disney+ Day and 2022’s San Diego Comic-Con revealing new information about it. Marvel Zombies is inspired by an episode of Marvel’s What If…? which was in turn based on the Marvel Comics series "Marvel Zombies," and will explore an apocalyptic version of the MCU, where a plague has turned many of the universe’s most beloved superheroes into monstrous zombies. Marvel Studios’ 2022 Comic-Con panel further delved into the series, revealing its premise, relation to What If…?, and release date.

Although the MCU has included numerous films and TV shows since its beginnings in 2008, animation is relatively new territory for the franchise. The first MCU animated series is What If…?, which depicted fascinating alternate versions of the MCU, culminating in a new Avengers team and a touching tribute to the fallen Black Widow from the mainstream timeline. One of the most popular episodes of What If…?, however, featured an MCU whose Earth became overrun by zombies.

Not only is Marvel Zombies inspired by the What If…? episode, but may more closely follow some aspects of the comic series of the same name. Marvel Zombies will also feature the return of MCU actors, reprising their mainstream roles in this alternate continuity. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming Marvel Zombies series thus far.

Which MCU Characters Will Be Marvel Zombies


The What If…? episode featured numerous undead versions of beloved MCU heroes, and Marvel Zombies will include even more infected protagonists. The zombie versions of Hawkeye, Captain America, and Scarlet Witch will all return, joined by additional MCU zombies. These newcomers will include Captain Marvel, Ghost, The Abomination, and even the Eternal, Ikaris, whose physiology won’t spare him from the Quantum Virus.

Marvel Zombies' Alive MCU Heroes


There were few confirmed survivors in the original What If…? episode, with most of its heroes joining the ranks of the zombies or dying. These few survivors include Ant-Man (Scott Lang), Spider-Man, and Black Panther. Marvel Zombies is set to introduce a whole team of new survivors, including Shang-Chi, Katy Chen, Death Dealer, Kate Bishop, Jimmy Woo, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Kamala Khan.

Marvel Zombies Cast: Will The MCU Actors Return?


The zombie episode of What If…? included a plethora of MCU characters, with nearly all of them being voiced by their live-action actors. The only exceptions to this were Spider-Man and Captain America, who were voiced by Hudson Thames and Josh Keaton, respectively. The majority of the cast of Marvel Zombies is currently unannounced, with the exception of Shang-Chi, who will be voiced by his MCU actor, Simu Liu.

Marvel Zombies Story: What Is It & Does It Connect To What If...?


Marvel Zombies will take place in the same alternate timeline as the What If…? episode, allowing it to continue its story. “What If... Zombies!?” ends on a cliffhanger, with the three survivors headed for Wakanda to create a cure for the Quantum virus using the Mind Stone, not knowing that a zombie version of Thanos is already there. With a new team of survivors, Marvel Zombies will presumably continue the collective quest of the survivors to end the zombie plague.