We recently learned that What If...? season 3 will likely feature an appearance from Spider-Man: Far From Home villain Mysterio. It's unclear how the villain will factor into the series but common sense says Peter Parker will also appear.
The wall-crawler has starred in his own MCU trilogy, two Avengers movies, and even found himself helping Iron Man out in Captain America: Civil War. As a result, there are heaps of alternate realities which explore the different ways Peter's life might have played out.
In this feature, we've come up with some concepts we believe you'll find in equal parts amazing and spectacular. Or maybe just plain daft. Then again, that's the fun of a series like What If...?, isn't it?
To take a look at the Spider-Man stories we'd like to see in What If...? season 3, click on the "Next" button below.
6. "What If... Spider-Man Wasn't Blipped?"
In Avengers: Infinity War, Peter Parker "died" in Tony Stark's arms when he turned to dust. However, it's hard not to wonder how differently things may have gone had he been among the half of the universe who survived.
For starters, Spider-Man would be on the Guardians' ship with Tony and Gamora, only to eventually return to Earth where he'd discover his Aunt May, friends, and girlfriend had all turned to dust. We saw the impact that had on Hawkeye, so Spidey being a very different man by the time Avengers: Endgame rolled around is inevitable.
There are a lot of exciting directions this episode could take us in and we'd bet on this episode ending with Spidey being the one to use the Infinity Gauntlet in Iron Man's place.
5. "What If... Mysterio Lived?"
We're still not 100% convinced that Quentin Beck didn't somehow survive the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Tony's glasses confirmed his heart stopped beating, though, and he hasn't been seen since (making it safe to assume Mysterio did indeed meet his maker).
If he'd lived, then perhaps the Master of Illusions found a way to convince the world he's a hero. Peter, detained by the Department of Damage Control, means we'd be free to follow Mysterio as he attempts to navigate his newfound role as one of the Earth's Mightiest Heroes...faking it as he makes it.
This has the makings of a fun episode and one with the potential to also shed some light on a reality where Spider-Man's secret identity perhaps wasn't revealed to the world.
4. "What If... Spider-Man Had Been Recruited By Captain America?"
In Captain America: Civil War, we learned Iron Man had been keeping an eye on the young Peter Parker. Needing to gain the upper hand over Steve Rogers, Tony didn't think twice about enlisting a teenager to help fight his battle.
Marvel Studios dropped the ball by failing to take a closer look at that and, in this reality, we'd like to see Spidey join forces with Captain America instead.
That would change the entirety of Civil War as we know it and finally give us an on-screen battle between the wall-crawler and Iron Man. Spider-Man remaining in his homemade suit is also a given, giving his role in the airport battle a much different feel.
3. "What If... Spider-Man Never Went Into Space?"
A similar premise to the episode mentioned at the top of this feature, this one would instead shift the spotlight to a reality where Peter never took that joyride into outer space alongside Iron Man and Doctor Strange.
Spidey played a pivotal role in that fight against Thanos; without him, the heroes on Titan probably wouldn't fare quite as well. Crucially, as one of the Avengers still on Earth, it's possible - under Captain America's leadership - Peter had the potential to help turn the tide against the Infinity Gauntlet-wielding baddie.
It's hard to say how far this idea could be stretched but there has to be a story worth telling.
2. "What If... The Vulture Won?"
In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker proved himself a true hero when he stopped The Vulture. Pulling himself from beneath that rubble, the teenager crashed Adrian Toomes' plane and stopped the villain from stealing some of The Avengers' most dangerous tech.
If Peter had perhaps remained buried (a tragic end for the hero), then we'd see The Vulture unleash those weapons on the world. That could spell doom for Earth's Mightiest Heroes and turn Toomes into a true force to be reckoned with. Heck, maybe he'd even be added to the list of those in What If...? who have killed Thanos!
Either way, Mysterio coming into play is a must as is finding out how much the world would suffer without the wall-crawler around to stop his greatest enemies.
1. "What If... Spider-Man Became Man-Spider?"
If Marvel Studios simply wants to have fun with a Spidey-themed episode, then this is absolutely the way to go. Man-Spider - either a six-armed Peter Parker or a literal "Man-Spider" - is a fun concept which, sadly, we don't ever expect to see in live-action.
It's hard to say what would lead to this transformation taking place. Honestly, it might not matter because we'd just enjoy seeing The Avengers battling a mutant Spider-Man!
The benefit of a show like What If...? is that it can head down some bonkers routes. Man-Spider is a silly idea but one which, in animation, we already know works really well (if you haven't watched those episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, make it a priority).