Warning: This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s What If…? episode two.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seemingly headed to a galaxy far, far away, secretly hiding two Star Wars Easter eggs in Marvel’s What If…? episode 2. What If…? is all about exploring alternate possibilities in the MCU, and the second episode of the series pondered what would happen if T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) became Star-Lord. In the episode, the Ravagers mistakenly kidnap T’Challa from Earth, and he goes on to completely change the MCU. The Ravagers suddenly turn good, fighting to help those mistreated throughout the galaxy. Thanos (Josh Brolin) also gives up his genocidal dream. Instead of Thanos carrying out his deadly finger snap from Avengers: Infinity War, the Mad Titan chooses to join the Ravagers and live life on the straight and narrow.

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With What If…? exploring the different possibilities in the Marvel universe, the question of a Star Wars crossover has come up before. Writer AC Bradley previously explained that she wanted Luke Skywalker to become an Avenger. However, the team behind What If…? was told to stick to MCU characters, so a crossover may not happen in the series’s first season. Still, with Marvel and Star Wars both falling under the Disney umbrella, the door to a crossover is never totally closed.

Though there may not be a straightforward crossover in What If…?, the series seemingly included some nods to Star Wars. In What If…? episode 2, T’Challa and his team of Ravagers infiltrate the Collector’s (Benicio Del Toro) headquarters looking for the Embers of Genesis, an item that could potentially end hunger in the galaxy. While going through the Collector’s place, T’Challa and Howard the Duck (Seth Green) encounter a bar that looks like an homage to Star Wars‘ Mos Eisley Cantina. Another scene shows a room full of spaceships, and it appears the show included an X-wing in the background.

The Easter eggs are subtle nods to Star Wars. The bar, which Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) briefly visited in Thor: Ragnarok, isn’t a direct copy of the Star Wars cantina. However, the droid and the overall setup seem to make it at least an homage. The X-wing is more obscured. With the team behind What If…? being told to stick to MCU characters, a clear image of an X-wing probably wouldn’t fly. However, the ship in the background is visible enough for viewers to spot it while remaining hidden enough to still go under the radar.

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Though the moments fall short of a crossover, the scenes continue the MCU’s homages to Star Wars. Throughout the Marvel films and Disney+ shows, there have been mentions of the galaxy far, far away and even a running gag referencing The Empire Strikes Back. In several projects, including Loki, characters lose a hand in a slight nod to Luke Skywalker in that film. Though the latest Easter eggs don’t confirm the MCU is in the same universe as the Lucasfilm franchise, it’s clear that the Collector is a Star Wars fan.

Marvel’s What If…? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

Key Release Dates
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)Release date: Sep 03, 2021
  • Eternals (2021)Release date: Nov 05, 2021
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)Release date: May 06, 2022
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)Release date: Jul 08, 2022
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever/Black Panther 2 (2022)Release date: Nov 11, 2022
  • The Marvels/Captain Marvel 2 (2023)Release date: Feb 17, 2023
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)Release date: Jul 28, 2023
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)Release date: May 05, 2023
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About The Author


Bill Bradley
(524 Articles Published)

Bill is an experienced reporter who’s covered entertainment and fandom since 2014. He’s done everything from unearthing the discarded Game of Thrones pilot script in a library in Texas to finding out why Steve left Blue’s Clues. He also enjoys eating Taco Bell and drinking chocolate milk.

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