Posted in: Disney+, Marvel, Preview, streaming, Trailer, TV | Tagged: dave bautista, disney plus, drax, guardians of the galaxy, james gunn, Marvel Studios, what if

What If Dave Bautista Wasn't Asked to Voice Drax? James Gunn Surprised

With only a little more than a week to go until Jeffrey Wright's all-seeing The Watcher opens viewers up to a multiverse of alt-MCU possibilities with Disney+ and Marvel Studios' What If…?, we've been learning a lot about the upcoming animated series. Over the weekend, there was an update to the voice cast as well as word that work on the second season is well underway (with Hayley Atwell's set to return). The other thing that folks are learning is that a number of familiar names aren't returning to reprise their roles (like Robert Downey, Jr.). Well, leave it to social media to get an answer to one of those MIA voices- and props to Dave Bautista for being direct and to the point. Asked on Twitter why he wasn't returning to voice Guardian of the Galaxy member Drax, Bautista's retweet response offered the most sensible explanation (though we're curious about what would come after "let's start with"): "Let's start with I was never asked."

One person apparently surprised by that news (and now sounding too thrilled by it)? The Suicide Squad & Guardians of the Galaxy mastermind James Gunn, who also kept his response very direct: "What".

For a look at the infinite possibilities that await viewers beginning this month, here's a look at What If…?:

In an interview with EW, Wright reveals what he enjoyed most about bringing the character to life for the streaming series, what his favorite episode of What If…? was, and what it was like listening to the late Chadwick Boseman's final T'Challa performance.

On What He Liked Best About Playing The Watcher: "He's described as the most dramatic being in all the multiverse when he first appears in Fantastic Four in 1963 on the cover of the comic book, so this idea of the most dramatic being in anyone's imagination gives you a lot to play with. I love the idea of just being able to be theatrical and a little over the top and at the same time kind of subtle with the language. That's always fun," Wright explained.

On His Very "Strange" Favorite "Episode: "I was really taken by the Doctor Strange episode, which you will see when you get there. For some reason, it just really pulled at my emotions. [Laughs] And as well, it becomes a story of interest to The Watcher too, so in that way, we kind of see things from a similar perspective.," Wright answered. "So yeah, check out the Doctor Strange one when it comes. When you land on that one, you'll land in a place where I sat up even further in my seat."

On Hearing Chadwick Boseman's Final T'Challa: "I was really moved to hear Chadwick Boseman voice T'Challa again as he does in the show. I actually first met him when Black Panther was being introduced at Comic-Con. We saw each other from time to time after that and just to watch him grow as an actor and watch him take on this character, to see what that character meant, and to understand that he was doing that while facing serious challenges, I just find to be on the level of heroism that Black Panther himself is on," Wright revealed. "So to be a part of just a little bit of what some of his last work is is really special. And I can't wait for folks to just hear him."

Marvel's What If…? flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Coming to Disney+ this August 11th from director Bryan Andrews and head writer AC Bradley, Marvel Studios' first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU (watched over by Wright's The Watcher), featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles (based on details previously released).

• Ant-Man: Paul Rudd as Ant-Man and Michael Douglas as Hank Pym
• Black Panther: Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther and Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger
• Captain America: Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Toby Jones as Arnim Zola, and Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Karen Gillan as Nebula, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Michael Rooker as Yondu, and Djimon Hounsou as Korath
• Thor: Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Taika Waititi as Korg, and Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster
• Marvel Cinematic Universe: Benicio Del Toro as The Collector, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Josh Brolin as Thanos, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark.

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