The visionaries behind Critical Role have never hesitated to share their expansive ambitions for the universes they’ve crafted. CEO Travis Willingham recently emphasized that there remains vast untapped potential within the realm of Exandria. Beyond merely producing animated series, the team is actively eyeing opportunities in literature and interactive gaming.
However, Willingham and co-founder Laura Bailey noted that their storytelling aspirations aren’t strictly tethered to the canon events established during their long-running Dungeons & Dragons sessions.
During a session on their Beacon-exclusive program, Fireside Chat, the duo addressed inquiries from fans worldwide. One particularly intriguing question asked if the team would ever consider an anthology project akin to Marvel’s What If…? series, which reimagines classic stories through the lens of alternate realities.
“It’s a concept we’ve certainly discussed across various mediums, so it’s definitely within the realm of possibility,” Willingham confirmed. “It’s a brilliant idea. Great minds think alike.”
The original Marvel What If…? comics thrived by inserting creative deviations into established lore—such as exploring how history might have shifted if Captain America hadn’t disappeared during WWII. Marvel Studios successfully translated this format to animation, offering fans inventive, non-canonical takes that would never fit into the mainline cinematic timeline. It has become a masterful way to honor the core spirit of a franchise while offering fresh, experimental narratives.
Image: Critical Role/BeaconThe potential for a Critical Role-style anthology is staggering. Imagine a world where Grog opted for the path of a wizard, or a timeline where Scanlan joined forces with the Mighty Nein. Even more poignant would be an alternate history where characters like Laudna managed to avoid their darkest fates. The sheer depth of the existing lore means the creative possibilities are virtually endless.
While this project currently exists only as a conceptual “what if,” the enthusiasm from the creators suggests it could be a fascinating avenue to explore. Should Critical Role eventually bring an alternate-universe series to life, it would undoubtedly be a must-watch for fans eager to see their favorite characters in entirely new light.
Source: Polygon
