What If…? executive producer and head writer A.C. Bradley revealed that the alternate universe Marvel storyline she most wants to tell — but suspects Marvel Studios will never greenlight — is a cross between Captain America and The West Wing.
Around 19 minutes and 13 seconds into her interview on Deadline‘s Hero Nation podcast, Bradley was asked if there was ever going to be a TV version of the classic What If…? comics story “What If Captain America Had Been Elected President?” by Mike W. Barr and Herb Trimpe. Bradley said she pitched her West Wing-inspired version of this premise for both Seasons 1 and 2 of What If…?, but it was ultimately passed on both times and she doubts it will ever get made, even if What If…? gets renewed for further seasons.
“I wanted to do Captain America meets West Wing more than anything,” said Bradley. “I wanted the walk-and-talks, the full Aaron Sorkin treatment… It was literally who would be the Josh Lyman? Who would be the C.J. Cregg? We were playing around with it for ages. It was something we did over beers, me and [writer] Matt [Chauncey] because we’re huge Sorkin-heads. But it was the one that hit the cutting-room floor or the idea-room floor. It’s a super talky episode, there’s not a whole lot of action.”
It’s understandable where Bradley’s excitement for the idea comes from. The West Wing‘s political idealism, while arguably out of step with the current political climate, is a perfect match for the patriotic fantasy of Steve Rogers. Hero Nation hosts Dominic Patten and Anthony D’Alessandro vibed with the idea, having fun speculating about what roles Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson might play in a Rogers administration. Ultimately, though, this story probably wasn’t the strongest fit amongst the more action-packed, exaggerated and often darker storylines that the What If…? animated series has thrived on.
Just because it didn’t work for this particular Disney+ series, however, doesn’t mean the general concept lacks the potential for other projects. “If anyone ever wants to do a movie where it’s superheroes doing The West Wing, I am here for you,” Bradley added. “But we didn’t get to do it.”
What If…? Season 1 premieres new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+. Season 2 is already in development with a 2022 release target in mind.
Source: Deadline
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