Draft:What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?

"What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?" is the first episode of the second season and tenth episode overall of the American animated television series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It explores what would happen if Nebula joined the Nova Corps to prove her detective skills while trying to escape her father Thanos's shadow after Ronan the Accuser deposed him before the events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018). The episode was written by Matthew Chauncey and directed by Stephan Franck.

Jeffrey Wright narrates the series as the Watcher, with this episode also starring the voices of Karen Gillan (Nebula), Jude Law, Michael Rooker, Seth Green, Taika Waititi, Peter Serafinowicz, Julianne Grossman, and Fred Tatasciore. Work on a second season of What If...? had begun by December 2019, with lead director Bryan Andrews and head writer A. C. Bradley returning from the first season. The episode is a detective story inspired by the film noir genre, being inspired from films such as Blade Runner (1982). Animation was provided by Flying Bark Productions, with serving as head of animation.

"What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?" was released on Disney+ on December 22, 2023.

Plot
Nebula is recruited to join the Nova Corps by Nova Prime following the demises of her adoptive father Thanos and surrogate sister Gamora at the hands of Ronan the Accuser.

Five years after Xandar was sealed off from the universe to protect itself against an invasion by Ronan's forces, Nebula discovers the body of Yondu Udonta, after which Nova Prime orders her to investigate his murder.

While consulting casino owner Howard the Duck, Nebula learns that Yondu hid the codes for the shield around Xandar within his Yaka Arrow. Wanting to destroy the codes before they are leaked, she enlists the help of Kree soldier Yon-Rogg to infiltrate the Nova Corps mainframe, but Yon-Rogg ultimately betrays her and reveals that he and Nova Prime plan to give up Xandar to Ronan as society continues to crumble by opening the shield with the codes, while the latter will be rewarded for her collaboration by still keeping her position on the planet.

Nova Prime orders her men to execute Nebula, who escapes and is saved by Howard and his subordinates—Groot, Korg, and Miek—who join her to stop Nova Prime. During the battle, Nebula reveals she realized Nova Prime's defection when she assigned the mission to her and altered the code so that the shield would close again as the Dark Aster enters Xandar, destroying the ship and killing Ronan. Nova Prime tries to escape only to be stopped by Nebula and ultimately fall to her death despite Nebula trying to save her.

The shield reopens as Nebula prepares to continue to defend Xandar with her allies.

Development
In December 2019, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed that work had already begun on a second season of the animated anthology series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It explores how the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films would be altered if certain events occurred differently. A. C. Bradley and Bryan Andrews returned from the first season as head writer and lead director, and they executive produce alongside Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Victoria Alonso. Stephan Franck, who served as head of animation in the first season, directed the first episode, which was written by Matthew Chauncey, titled "What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?". Andrews stated that Franck was brought in to direct the episode because he and the other creatives were busy working on the other episodes of the season.

Writing
The episodes explores if Nebula joined the Nova Corps to prove her detective skills while trying to escape her father Thanos's shadow after Ronan the Accuser deposed him before the events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018). The episode is a detective story inspired by the film noir genre, such as Blade Runner (1982). Chauncey explained they wanted to make an episode centered on Nebula after enjoying Karen Gillan's work with the character on the first season. The first draft of the script, which was written during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, was " dark" according to Bradley, noting that it "almost ended in a tragedy"; Chauncey eventually "lightened up" the story. Franck noted that "very profound questions" were explored in the episodes, such as morality, and if those around you guide you in the right direction or if that has to come from within.

Casting
Jeffrey Wright narrates the episode as the Watcher, with Marvel planning to have other characters in the series voiced by the actors who portrayed them in the MCU films. The episode stars Karen Gillan as Nebula, Jude Law as Yon-Rogg, Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta, Seth Green as Howard the Duck, Taika Waititi as Korg, Peter Serafinowicz as Garthan Saal, Julianne Grossman as Nova Prime / Irani Rael, and Fred Tatasciore as Groot. Grossman and Tatasciore replace original actors Glenn Close and Vin Diesel, respectively.

Animation
Animation for the episode was provided by Flying Bark Productions, with Scott Wright serving as animation supervisor. Andrews developed the series' cel-shaded animation style with Ryan Meinerding, the head of visual development at Marvel Studios. Though the series has a consistent art style, elements such as the camera and color palette differ between episodes.

Release
"What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?" was released on Disney+ on December 22, 2023. It had a premiere screening, along with the third episode "What If... Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?", at the Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California on December 11, 2023, along with a Q&A with the creatives.

Critical response
Arezou Amin at Collider said the first episode of the second season "kicks things off in very gritty fashion", calling it "a solid place to start" and was curious if the season would continue to use "the theme of hope and redemption as a jumping-off point". IGN Jesse Schedeen said "the story is somewhat constrained by its limited runtime" and that it "isn’t an episode that’s going to satisfy anyone hoping for more of the overarching narrative introduced in late season 1".

Accolades
For the 51st Annie Awards, Paul Lasaine, Kristina Vardazaryan, Cynthia Halley, Ryan Magno, and Simon Dunsdon were nominated for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production for their work on the episode.