The Marvel Zombies comic series became a sensation when it first started in 2005. Written by Robert Kirkman and spinning out of Ultimate Fantastic Four, it focused on an alternate Earth where a zombie outbreak transformed the heroes into flesh-eating monsters. The unexpected popularity gave birth to numerous spinoff comics.
The concept was inevitable for an adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it was used in a first-season episode of the animated anthology Disney Plus series What If...? The story showed audiences how an attempt to rescue Janet van Dyne from the Quantum Realm unleashed a zombie plague across a different Earth.
The animated Marvel Zombies series picks up from that story as the zombie plague continues with a ragtag group of heroes trying to stop it, clashing with everyone from the Scarlet Witch to a zombified Thanos.
The four-episode series is a wild ride with appearances from numerous MCU characters, from Kamala Khan to Riri Williams and even Blade. However, there are a couple of notable MCU characters who are absent and the director is sharing why and if they can appear in another season!
Why Marvel Zombies didn't feature the Fantastic Four or the X-Men
Speaking to Variety, director Bryan Andrews discussed the Marvel Zombies series and its origins. He was pressed on whether he could have used other heroes such as the X-Men or Fantastic Four and in response he pointed out the series began work in 2021, before the MCU was set to use those characters.
“I would have loved to have them in, but at the time, “Fantastic Four” was so far off. They’re also in a different multiverse. Same with the X-Men. How would they get here? So there are all those questions and rigmarole. But, I mean, never say never. That’s why I’m hoping, if there’s a second season around, there are already a few ideas of, like, can we get extra crazy?.”
Marvel Zombies has been in the works since the series was commissioned shortly after the first season of What If...? and, at that point in time, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was not even on the MCU's immediate radar. Although it was clear that there was a Fantastic Four movie on the horizon, with all of the films and TV shows set to take place in the MCU's Multiverse Saga, there was a lot to juggle before it came to fruition. And even then, the film was delayed a few times before it eventually settled on its Summer 2025 release date.
As for the X-Men, they have been one of the Multiverse Saga's long-term introductions as the references, nods, and cameos from previous X-Men stars have all laid the groundwork for their eventual arrival in the MCU. With rumors of the next chapter of the MCU being the Mutants Saga - and an X-Men movie officially in development - there is potential to adapt them into a possible second season of Marvel Zombies around then.
There is also scope for a second season too. The animated series did leave off with a cliffhanger that promises a possible sophomore installment. Andrews hinted that another season could use not just those characters but others in an epic spanning generations.
“So much material. It’s crazy. There are other characters that people are like, “So-and-so is not even in it.” Yeah, we know. We know what’s going on. We know how people got from A to B. You guys have no idea the insanity that’s just waiting around the corner if we get a chance. Brad and I already know how the next one would start already. Our original idea was more medieval fantasy... We were doing crazy s—. Brad wisely said people want to see their favorites and not see them so crazy. We rolled it back and didn’t time-jump so far forward.”
The idea of a big time jump generations ahead in this world is quite intriguing and would pave the way for more plotlines and characters to come in. So while some of these major MCU characters didn’t appear in Marvel Zombies before, there’s a chance they may enter the wild world in the future!
Given that the show has seemingly been performing well for Disney Plus, there's definitely a good chance we could see that second season come to fruition in the future.
Marvel Zombies streaming on Disney+.