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Marvel Zombies (miniseries)

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This article is about the animated miniseries. For the comic book, see Marvel Zombies (comic book).

Marvel Zombies
Genre
Created byZeb Wells
Based on
Written byZeb Wells
Directed byBryan Andrews
StarringIman Vellani
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production companyMarvel Studios Animation
Original release
NetworkDisney+
Related

Marvel Zombies is an upcoming American animated television miniseries created by Zeb Wells for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It is intended to be the 16th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) from Marvel Studios and is produced by Marvel Studios Animation. The series explores an alternate timeline in the multiverse introduced in the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!" (2021), in which a group of survivors must fight former heroes and villains who are now zombies. Wells serves as head writer and Bryan Andrews directs.

Iman Vellani voices Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel, reprising the role from prior MCU media. Marvel Studios was developing several animated series in addition to What If...? by June 2021, including a spin-off series continuing the events of "What If... Zombies?!". Marvel Zombies was announced in November, along with the involvement of Wells and Andrews.

Marvel Zombies is set to premiere on Disney+ in October 2025, and will consist of four episodes. It will be part of Phase Six of the MCU.

Premise

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Continuing from the events of the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!" (2021), a group of survivors must fight former heroes and villains who are now zombies.[1]

Cast and characters

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Alternate versions of characters from the MCU confirmed to appear in the series include Yelena Belova, Katy, Kate Bishop, Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, Jimmy Woo, Death Dealer, Xu Shang-Chi,[1] Eric Brooks / Blade,[3] and Xu Wenwu.[4] Zombies in the series include Clint Barton / Hawkeye, Steve Rogers / Captain America, Emil Blonsky / Abomination, Ava Starr / Ghost, Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch, Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Ikaris, and Okoye.[1]

Production

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Development

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By June 2021, Marvel Studios Animation was developing a slate of at least three more series in addition to their Disney+ series What If...? (2021–present).[5][6][7] The next month, these were said to be in various stages of development and were not expected to debut until at least 2023.[8] A Marvel Zombies animated series was announced during the Disney+ Day event in November 2021,[9] based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name.[10] Bryan Andrews returned as director from What If...? and Zeb Wells was set as head writer and executive producer.[9] Wells previously served as a writer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) and the film The Marvels (2023).[11]

The series is a continuation of the zombie-infested alternate timeline that was introduced in the episode "What If... Zombies?!" from the first season of What If...? (2021),[12] exploring more of the mythology established in the episode;[13] Marvel Studios began development on the spin-off after a positive fan response to that episode and its cliffhanger ending.[1] The company revealed in July 2022 that Marvel Zombies would be its first animated series to be rated TV-MA so it could feature all the "gore and splatter you want from a zombie show".[14][15] The series consists of four episodes.[16] Marvel Studios' Brad Winderbaum also serves as an executive producer.[17]: 22 [needs update] During Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Zombies and the other projects discussed were introduced as being part of the "Marvel Animated Multiverse".[18]

Writing

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Andrews explained that even though many of the deaths in the series are "rough", there was humor and levity mixed in with the action, drama, and emotion.[19]

Casting and voice recording

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In November 2023, Iman Vellani revealed that she would be reprising her MCU role as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel in the series; she had already completed her voice work by then.[2]

Animation

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The series features the same animation style as What If...?,[20] which uses a cel-shaded animation style with character likenesses based on the actors from the films.[21] The animation is "2.5D", with 3D models rendered with 2D lighting to appear like flat drawings.[22]

Marketing

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The series was discussed during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, when artwork of the characters was revealed.[1] Andrews and Winderbaum promoted the series during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the D23 convention in August 2024, where footage was shown.[4][20][23] More footage from the series was included in a video that was released by Disney+ in October, announcing the release schedule for Marvel Television and Marvel Animation projects through the end of 2025.[24]

Release

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Marvel Zombies is set to premiere on Disney+ "in time for Halloween" in October 2025,[24][25] and will consist of four episodes.[16] By July 2022, the series was expected to debut in 2024.[14] In January 2024, Andrews said he was unsure when the series would be released, revealing that the release date had been continually shifting,[26]: 51:00–51:08  and the series was undated at that time.[27] Marvel Studios Animation's panel at D23 in August 2024 covered series, including Marvel Zombies, that were intended for release over the following 12 to 18 months, though it was specifically stated that Marvel Zombies would not be released "for a while";[28][29] its October 2025 release month was announced that October.[24] The series will be part of Phase Six of the MCU.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Nolan, Liam (July 22, 2022). "SDCC Live: Marvel Studios Animation Panel Reveals Future of X-Men '97, What If and Marvel Zombies". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Millheim, Russ (November 28, 2023). "Disney Plus' Marvel Zombies Show Gets Exciting Production Update from Star (Exclusive)". The Direct. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Power, Tom (October 30, 2024). "Marvel reveals release dates and first footage for its 2025 TV line-up – and confirms Deadpool and Wolverine will debut on Disney Plus in November". TechRadar. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Lussier, Germain (August 10, 2024). "'Spider-Man' and Shang Chi In 'Marvel Zombies' Topped Off a Killer Marvel Animation Panel at D23". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  5. ^ Corvin, Ann-Marie (June 14, 2021). "Marvel's Victoria Alonso on Exploring Diversity and Inclusion through 'What If' and the Hunt for Global Animation Partnerships". Variety. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 4, 2021). "Walt Disney Animation Amps Up Production With New Vancouver Studio; First Project Is 'Moana' Musical Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  7. ^ Lee, Chris (January 13, 2023). "Inside the VFX Union Brewing in Hollywood". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023. Alonso heads up Marvel's dedicated "mini-studio," Marvel Studios Animation, which is behind such shows as What If ...? [...] and the summer 2022 series of Vin Diesel–voiced original shorts, I Am Groot.
  8. ^ Vary, Adam B. (August 11, 2021). "Marvel Studios Planning 'Multiple' New Animated Series Following Debut of 'What If…?'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (November 12, 2021). "Disney+ Day: All The Streamer's Film & TV News From Premiere Dates To Series Orders". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  10. ^ Vary, Adam B. (November 12, 2021). "Animated 'X-Men,' 'Spider-Man,' 'Marvel Zombies' Series Announced for Disney Plus". Variety. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  11. ^ Zogbi, Emily (January 2, 2023). "The Marvels Adds She-Hulk, Comic Book Writer Zeb Wells". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  12. ^ Penagos, Ryan; Cink, Lorraine; Iglehart, James Monroe (November 12, 2021). "First Look at Disney+: X-Men '97, Spider-Man details!". This Week in Marvel (Podcast). Event occurs at 24:52–25:14. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Simplecast.
  13. ^ Dick, Jeremy (January 6, 2024). "What If...? Director Addresses Marvel Zombies Spinoff's TV-MA Rating". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Fink, Richard (July 22, 2022). "Marvel Zombies Release Set For 2024 with TV-MA Rating". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  15. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (July 22, 2022). "Marvel Zombies on Disney+ to Have the 'Gore and Splatter You Want From a Zombie Show'". IGN. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Nattrass, JJ (October 14, 2022). "MCU Marvel Zombies Writer Reveals the Spinoff's Surprising Episode Count". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  17. ^ "Moon Knight Production Brief" (PDF). Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. March 16, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Moreau, Jordan (July 22, 2022). "'Marvel Zombies,' 'Spider-Man: Freshman Year,' 'What If?' Season 2 Get First Looks". Variety. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Paige, Rachel (January 31, 2024). "'What If…?': Director Bryan Andrews Dives Into Season 2". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Flook, Ray (August 10, 2024). "Marvel Zombies: D23 Footage Includes Shang-Chi, Biker Skrulls & More". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  21. ^ Jones, Marcus (August 23, 2019). "What If on Disney+ will feature voices from majority of Marvel Cinematic Universe cast". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  22. ^ Desowitz, Bill (September 2, 2021). "'What If…?': Finding the Right Timeless Look for the MCU's Animated Anthology". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  23. ^ Anderson, Jenna (August 10, 2024). "D23: Marvel Animation Panel Recap". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Lussier, Germain (October 30, 2024). "Marvel Just Revealed Its TV Release Dates for the Next Year". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  25. ^ "Disney+ Debuts 'Look Ahead' Teaser for Upcoming Marvel Studios Titles". Marvel.com. October 30, 2024. Archived from the original on October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  26. ^ Phase Zero (January 5, 2024). What If..? Season 2 Live Q&A With Creative Team (A.C. Bradley, Matthew Chauncey, Bryan Andrews). ComicBook.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ Vary, Adam B. (January 12, 2024). "Every Marvel Studios Movie and Disney+ Project in 2024 and Beyond". Variety. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  28. ^ Nebens, Richard (August 10, 2024). "D23 Marvel Animation 2024: Every Major Announcement (Live Blog)". The Direct. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  29. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (August 11, 2024). "Marvel Zombies (TV-MA!), Spider-Man, Eyes of Wakanda (Iron Fist?!) and Other Animated Series Get Updates at D23". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
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