What If…? Season 2: Jon Favreau’s Strange Demand to ‘Upgrade’ Happy Hogan Stunned Creator for Iron Man Director to Return
Marvel’s What If…? is one of those rare times when the MCU came to realize the true potential of its multiverse saga. Although, with the possible exception of Loki, Marvel’s Multiverse madness is failing rapidly, What If…? is truly a story with potential. Not only is it a hit with the critics, it has gained a great deal of popularity, which is leading up to a second season.
Many notable characters, like Darcy Lewis and Happy Hogan, are reprising their roles in the animated spin-off. In a press conference, showrunner A.C. Bradley revealed a strange demand by the eminent director Jon Favreau that stunned her, to say the least.
Jon Favreau makes this strange demand to return for What If…?
According to reports made by Slash Films, A.C. Bradley originally planned on doing an episode headlining Kat Dennings’ character, Darcy Lewis, in season 2 of What If…? It is quite understandable since Happy Hogan and Darcy Lewis are two of the most iconic comic reliefs in the MCU. It is no wonder Darcy would get a headline episode since the 2 Broke Girls star has made the role unforgettable with her impeccable comic timing. However, Jon Favreau had a strange demand if the showrunners wanted him to return for the second season and that was his own standalone episode. Check out what A.C. Bradley said below:
“The second season, we knew we wanted to do a Darcy episode and sort of had that in our back pocket. And then Jon Favreau, I’m allowed to tell this story. First of all, he’s amazing. He’s one of the absolute nicest human beings and most talented human beings […] and so when he came in to do season 1, he kind of jokingly made a deal. He’s like, ‘I’ll do season 1, but season 2, I get to headline. And I want to be The Freak.'”
Also Read: In Marvel’s What If…?, Ang Lee’s Hulk Might Have A World War Hulk Sequel
Hence, Happy Hogan got his own headline episode, What If…? Happy Hogan Saved Christmas where the errand boy of Iron Man (according to the official synopsis) is standing between Tony Stark’s old arch-rival Justin Hammer and his attack on the Avengers tower.
What is the lore behind The Freak in Marvel?
The Freak originates in 1965’s Tales of Suspense Vol. 1 #74 Happy Hogan turned into The Freak after he was exposed to Tony Stark’s Enervator in an attempt to cure him. He became a brutish, hulk-like character who went on a rampage before Tony Stark was able to cure him using the same Enervator. While talking to Slash Films, Bradley explained the difficulty she and writer/producer Matthew Chauncey faced trying to incorporate it into the storyline. However, they wanted to make it an ode to Jon Favreau:
‘Oh no, what are we [agreeing] to? And then as we were talking about the episode, we’re like, ‘Let’s make it an ode to Mr. Favreau.'”
The trailer for season 2 of What If…? pays homage to Die Hard when Happy Hogan references the film. It is not a coincidence since both take place at Christmas. This is the second time an MCU trailer has referenced Die Hard since Hawkeye.
What If…? the second season was released on November 22, 2023.
