It looks like an episode from What If…? season 2 could feature a potential face-off between two worlds – Shang-Chi’s Ta Lo and Thor/Odin’s Asgard. That is the current gist among MCU fans since a Marvel merch revealed Hela’s artwork for the Disney Plus series, teasing the Asgardian goddess’s skin design.
Marvel Studios is expected to unveil the exact release date for What If…? season 2 anytime in the near future since the follow-up was teased as an early 2023 line-up. Earlier at 2022’s SDCC, it was confirmed that a Hela story would be explored as well as an Odin vs. Mandarin face-off. In fact, San Diego Comi-con attendees were lucky to experience a teasing glimpse of their encounter.
While it’s unclear what causes Wenwu to fight Odin in What If…? season 2 – insider CanWeGetSomeToast addressed the leaked Hela design to claim that “she’s wearing dragon-scale armor (like Shang-Chi)”. The scooper further speculated, “looks like Asgard vs. Ta Lo is coming”. It should be noted Hela’s outfit in the soda can artwork is the same one showcased in the SDCC teaser. Readers can check it out below.
One fan commented on the leaked Hela merch speculating, “What If Wenwu/the Mandarin tried to conquer Asgard and met Hela or something like that i guess”. While another going by the username funkopooper went a step further to say, “or Hela as the Mandarin ?”. Nonetheless, Hela’s design having Shang-Chi roots has prompted doubts over which side the Asgardian stands.
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Since that “#WhatIf” Hela soda can leaked, I’ll tell y’all that she’s wearing dragon-scale armor (like Shang-Chi). Looks like Asgard vs Ta Lo is coming 👀
— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) March 6, 2023
Its frm Ten Rings. Based on leaked trailer, we see Odin fighting Wenwu (the form he ws during the opnig sequence of Shang-Chi) & a woman. Woman is Hela. I predict that Odin banished Hela to Midgard or Hela exiled herself to Midgard, teaming up with Wenwu to take over Asgard. https://t.co/Ga3FGNqYFj pic.twitter.com/BVILzgltNf
— Multiman (@Real_MultiMan) March 6, 2023
Is what if 2 coming this year if they advertise it now Lmao https://t.co/24yfSxEGLM
— Shinigami•Silver (@Nacht_Silver) March 6, 2023
This sounds SICK https://t.co/RmY95XGrdm
— L (@L0TE00) March 6, 2023
Tenemos un primer vistazo a la villana Hela en 'WHAT IF?…' temporada 2
Este será un episodio en el que Odin y Hela se enfrentan al Mandarin. pic.twitter.com/5tlVWDSHkd— El Paladín Rojo (@Elpaladin_rojo) March 5, 2023
What an L episode. No one wants to see Asgard vs Ta Lo, we want actual what if timelines. What if Captain America agreed to the Accords? What if Daisy never went through Terrigenisis? What if Thanos killed Hulk before he snapped? What if Hydra won WW2? These are what we want
— Brandon Routh IS Superman (@Superman_Stan33) March 6, 2023
Oui donc c'est sur le fameux épisode "Odin vs Wenwu" si j'comprends bien https://t.co/GLR97YAzKr pic.twitter.com/G4lh6vvOuU
— |⋈| 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 |⋈| (@dragonstorm27) March 6, 2023
What if Hela never left Asgard?
— AllidoisWynne (@WynneChad) March 5, 2023
Hela, with new outfit design, spotted on Funko Soda Can in the What If? Season 2!!#Hela#whatifseason2 #FunkoSoda #MarvelEstudios
And yeah, logically, she is wearing the same outfit that we already saw in the exclusive trailer during SDCC 2022!!https://t.co/640He23qoH pic.twitter.com/zo0aPWy86y
— GMG 🍿 Prepare to enter the Quantum Realm!! 🐜 (@GabiMG_News) March 6, 2023
Perhaps, Hela’s traumatic relationship with Odin will play a role in the story, prompting the war between Ta Lo and Asgard. Some fans are also considering the possibility of a love interest between Hela and Wen Wu, similar to Mandarin’s love affair with Ying Li in the main timeline.
Thor: Ragnarok establishes that Odin’s banishment of Hela eventually comes back to bite Asgard. It can be argued a similar circumstance could play out which prompts Wenwu and Hela to team up to take over Asgard. Cate Blanchett will return to voice the character.
What If…? season 2 is still TBA but the Marvel merchandise arriving on store shelves indicates marketing is ramping up for the series. So fans can be hopeful for an update, possibly at the upcoming CinemaCon? let’s hope so.
