What If writer reveals the two things that were "off limits" in the upcoming Marvel series
Writer A.C. Bradley talks to GamesRadar+ about what Marvel said no to
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Every Friday
GamesRadar+
Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.
Every Thursday
GTA 6 O'clock
Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.
Every Friday
Knowledge
From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.
Every Thursday
The Setup
Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.
Every Wednesday
Switch 2 Spotlight
Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.
Every Saturday
The Watchlist
Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.
Once a month
SFX
Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!
If you’ve seen the trailer for What If…?, the upcoming Marvel Studios animated anthology series, then you might expect anything and everything to be on the table. But that’s not quite true.
Head writer A.C. Bradley tells GamesRadar+ that two things – one serious, one slightly less so – were "off limits" for the creative team.
"One was we couldn’t do anything that the movies or TV shows were already doing. So that let us go to weirder and stranger places," Bradley says.
That, seemingly, extends to what Kevin Feige and company have in store for Marvel Phase 4. Bradley has already revealed one her scrapped ideas was eerily close to what will eventually become the plot for Guardians of the Galaxy 3 in 2023.
The second is a little more out there. And by out there, we mean in a galaxy far, far away.
"Despite my damndest, I was not allowed to use Star Wars characters. I tried many times; they kept reminding me that Luke Skywalker is not an Avenger," Bradley says, with tongue firmly placed in cheek. Having said that, the desire to at least try and throw in some mind-blowing crossovers appeared sincere on the writer’s part.
One thing that certainly isn’t off limits is Hayley Atwell’s Captain Carter. The alternate universe Super Soldier is "going to be the character we would revisit in every season," according to a CBR interview with executive producer Brad Winderbaum.
Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox
For more on the MCU’s future on the small screen, check out our guide to new Marvel TV shows.

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.


