Hugh Everett’s many-worlds theory implies that all possible outcomes of quantum measurements are realized in some world/universe. Popular culture loves the many-worlds theory. Now, Marvel Studios has applied not only it to its larger MCU, but its latest animated anthology series on Disney+, What If…?—which recently premiered its season 1 finale in all its multiversal glory. The show itself explores the path not taken for many MCU characters. For example, what if Peggy Carter took the super-soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers, Thor became a Vegas-loving only child, and Thanos was actually made of dough? A Pillsbury Doughboy gone very wrong. These superhero shenanigans beg the question: what are some real-world/pop culture scenarios to top Marvel’s latest series?
Cover Photo: Marvel Studios
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real world what if
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What If...Robert De Niro Starred in Martin Scorsese's ‘Big’?
Fun fact: Robert De Niro was originally cast as Big’s main character. Imagine a much moodier film and a lack of Tom Hanks (in general) as Big was very much a launching pad.
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What If…'The Office' Never Came to America?
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s beloved workplace comedy dies in the UK. Without The Office’s mockumentary format, there’s no Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, etc. More importantly, girls have nothing to write about in the bio portion of dating apps.
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What If…Beyoncé Never Went Solo?
Beyoncé Knowles said goodbye to Destiny’s Child and released Dangerously In Love, her first solo album, on June 17, 2003. Since then, she has become a deity, or, rather, the Queen of the music industry, prompting numerous people to put a ring on it.
That said...
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What If...Michael Jackson Never Moon Walked?
More specifically, what if Billie Jean was his lover, and the kid is his son.
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What If...Kourtney Kardashian Were an Only Child?
And she did, they all did. If Kim Kardashian’s infamous sex tape is never “leaked” in 2007, Keeping Up With the Kardashians! never becomes a success that same year. Subsequently, influencer culture takes a hit and it becomes a lot harder for rich people to become even richer by doing next to nothing.
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What If...Steve Jobs Had Decided to Be Nicer?
The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 drastically reduced file sharing and broadened our technological landscapes, paving the way for the type of connectivity that has changed the way we experience, well, everything.
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What If...MySpace Had Come Out on Top?
Social media would be a junk heap of bad design and weekly crashes would be a common occurrence. However, your data would probably be a tad bit safer.
In our universe, Tom is now a photographer while Mark Zuckerberg is in bed with the CIA (per The Onion).
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What If...Lebron Had Played Football Professionally Instead of Basketball?
Space Jam: A New Legacy would never have been made.
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What If...TikTok Had Been Banned?
Actual talent would be recognized, and we’d all live happily ever after.
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What If…Life Is Actually God’s Fantasy Football League?
Tom Brady still wins regardless of when he's drafted.
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What If...The Avengers Never Assembled?
Well, Martin Scorsese would be a lot happier...Disney/Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the most influential film franchise maybe ever. Its interwoven storytelling spanning an infinite number of films and separate franchises has spawned what appears to be a never-ending age of comic book movies. Every studio and their sister is following suit. Especially Warner Bros./DC Films, who are doing so with their tail between their legs.
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What If...There Were More than Two Major Political Parties?
We’re a tribalistic bunch.
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What If...George RR Martin Finished ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ Before ‘Game of Thrones?’
HBO’s once-in-a-generation series wouldn’t have devolved into bad fan fiction and the fandom's faith would remain intact.
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What If...Bitcoin Goes to Zero?
World War III.
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What If...Brad Pitt Was Born Ugly?
World War III.
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What If...Netflix Stuck to DVDs?
Netflix began as a mail-order-rental subscription service in 1997. In 2007, when they delivered its billionth DVD, Netflix decided to transition into streaming, acquiring, and creating content. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand started the first World War and Netflix started, and will continue winning, the streaming wars. Had these wars not become, we’d likely all still have been channel surfing and going to movie theaters until COVID-19 closed the latter, leaving us to stare at the wall in 2020.
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What If...The Moon Was Really Made of Cheese, Would Any Billionaire Care about Mars If They Could Get The Most Aged Cheddar?
There'd be no Moon, and we'd all be constipated AF.
