Before What If...? started exploring the more unusual avenues of the MCU, there was an idea to create a group of Marvel animated series that existed outside of the sprawling cinematic universe, and that would combine to form their own set of interconnected stories. That plan has since been scuppered, but some of the shows survived – Marvel's M.O.D.O.K. is already on screens, and Marvel's Hit-Monkey is set to follow in November. Check out the first teaser for the new 'toon...
Yes, those are the recognizable pipes of Ted Lasso's Jason Sudeikis, who plays Bryce in the show. He's a former assassin (and formerly alive human) who now acts as unwanted conscience and mentor to Hit-Monkey (Fred Tatasciore). Our title character is a Japanese snow monkey whose tribe is murdered in the Japanese Alps. That leaves him with a burning desire for revenge, which is channelled to cut a swathe through the Yakuza underworld. The original Hit-Monkey comics, by Daniel Way and Dalibor Talajic launched in 2010 and he's since popped up across the Marvel comics world. George Takei, Olivia Munn, Ally Maki and Nobi Nakanishi also lend their voices to the cast.
Co-created and produced by Josh Gordon & Will Speck with Marvel veteran Joe Quesada as an executive producer, the show is scheduled to launch on Hulu in the States on 17 November. No word yet on when it might reach Disney+ Star here, but with luck it might not be too long after that.