The writer and co-director of Strange World, Qui Nguyen, discusses his interest in developing an animated Agents of Atlas series. Following the success of superhero-themed animated films like Big Hero 6, Marvel has expanded into new areas of animation. After the success of their 2016 premiere, What If…?, Marvel has renewed it for a second season and added X-Men ’97, Marvel Zombies, and Spider-Man: First Year to their roster of titles.
Nguyen and Big Hero 6’s co-director, Don Hall, have also collaborated on Disney animated features: Strange World and Raya and the Last Dragon. Screen Rant had an exclusive conversation with Nguyen, who discussed his desire to animate the Agents of Atlas. Specifically, he detailed which iteration of the Agents of Atlas he finds most engaging and with whom he would like to collaborate.
“I love Big Hero 6 a lot. Are there any other Marvel properties that you’d want to tackle in animation? Agents of Atlas?
Qui Nguyen: Oh, yeah, I would, and it depends on which version, right? Because there’s the older version where it’s the old superheroes, and then there’s this newer version which I really connect to, which is Shang-Chi, Jimmy Woo, Silk, and all those characters that would be super excellent. But I think that those guys over there at Marvel Studios I think they’ve got a solid grasp on their characters over there.”
Nguyen feels a kinship to the current superhero squad because its members are all Asian or Asian American. Both Raya And The Last Dragon and Strange World attest to Nguyen’s skill as a storyteller, showcasing compelling protagonists and expansive, well-developed settings. Despite Nguyen’s absence from the Big Hero 6 production crew, he may be able to reunite with Hall. Perhaps even more than Big Hero 6, Raya And The Last Dragon is the best justification for why Nguyen and Hall are the ideal combinations to tackle an animated Agents of Atlas project.
Big Hero 6, What If…?, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse show how animation can bring a new style and look to stories, in contrast to the MCU’s amazing live-action world. The animated films What If…? and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse can explore the multiverse in nearly impossible ways in the live-action adaptations of the characters. The Agents of Atlas have abilities as varied as those of Spider-Man and the Hulk, as well as wind capabilities, ice powers, and a magical bear; as such, they would be best depicted in animation.
There is strong interest from various companies in hiring Atlas Agents. The Justice League would be a dream project for both Randall Park (Jimmy Woo) and Mabel Cadena (Namora). Marvel seems to be developing the team now that Jimmy Woo, Namora, and Shang-Chi have all made their debuts. Spider-Man: Freshman Year will introduce new characters Amadeus Cho and Pearl Pangan, aka Wave, although they will not be considered canon within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There’s room for both new and returning heroes on an animated Agents of Atlas, which is exciting for the audience. Once Nguyen finishes Strange World, he could want to go on to Agents of Atlas.
