My Disney+ Pick of the Week is (of course): WandaVision!
WandaVision premieres on Disney+ on January 15, and we’ll discuss the first two episodes on our weekly WDW Radio LIVE video broadcast and chat on Facebook at WDWRadioLIVE.com on Wednesday, January 20 at 7:30pm ET!
Be sure to tune in, comment, call-in, and share your thoughts on the first two episodes… and stay tuned for Lou’s next Disney+ Pick of the Week!
In the meantime, you can discuss WandaVision in the WDW Radio Clubhouse on Facebook HERE
Marvel Studios presents “WandaVision,” a blend of classic television and the Marvel
Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings
living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.
“‘WandaVision’ will be the very first Marvel Studios series on Disney+,” says Kevin
Feige, president, Marvel Studios and chief creative officer, Marvel. “Wanda and Vision
are two of our most powerful and complex heroes, and this series is a perfect expansion
point for MCU storytelling.”
The series not only marks the first Marvel Studios’ Disney+ series, it is its first journey
into the world of sitcoms—with an MCU twist. “It’s a mash-up of classic sitcoms and
large-scale Marvel action,” says Matt Shakman, who directs all nine episodes. “I think
it’s really lovely that the first streaming show from Marvel Studios—producer of huge
blockbuster films—is really a love letter to the history of television.”
According to head writer Jac Schaeffer, “WandaVision” is funny, mysterious and actionpacked. “It picks up shortly after ‘Avengers: Endgame,’” she says. “Marvel fans have
never seen Wanda and Vision in this way before. Their storyline has been so romantic
and tragic—fans have really latched onto it. But really, it’s been precious little screen
time, and it’s all been very fraught. In this show, we get to see them in a domestic light,
and it gets to breathe. It’s really beautiful.
“In the first episode we meet Wanda and Vision after they’ve just been married,”
continues Schaeffer. “They’re driving into this new town with ‘just married’ on the back
of their cute little car. It’s 1950s, black and white, they’re absolutely adorable. They’re
madly in love, and there is not a hint of the Avengers or the larger MCU. We see them
going about their day, making breakfast. She’s a witch, he’s synthezoid. She can dry
dishes in the air. He can change density and walk through things.”
Says Shakman, “Wanda and Vision are just starting their married life together in this
new town, and they’re meeting their neighbors. Vision’s starting to work at his new job
while Wanda navigates life at home. They’re concerned about hiding their powers from
their new friends and neighbors, and when they’re pushed for more information about
where they came from, they’re stumped. That’s when we start to realize that things are
not quite what they seem.”
With nine episodes, the series was created much like a motion picture would be—but
more extensive, allowing first-of-its-kind exploration of the relationship between Wanda
and Vision. Says co-executive producer Mary Livanos, “Elizabeth Olsen and Paul
Bettany have the opportunity to flex different muscles over the course of this series that
usually an actor wouldn’t get to do within the scope of a single project.
Olsen, who has portrayed Wanda since the character’s post-credits debut in Marvel
Studios’ 2014 feature film “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” returns to her
signature role—taking it in a curious new direction. “Paul and I get to discover at a much
deeper level who these characters are,” she says. “Wanda and Vision have always had
an unspoken and inherent connection since ‘Ultron.’ “The infinity stone is such a huge
part of their intrinsic connection and understanding of one another. I think just like any
great love story, there is a strong energy that attracts both of them to one another. In
‘WandaVision,’ we watch them experience a domesticated lifestyle for the first time, or
as domesticated as possible for them. We watch them experience the joys and
complications of parenting, while also overcoming secrecy and distrust, but always
coming together in the end with the common bond, respect and unconditional love for
one another.”
Bettany, whose voice made his debut in the MCU as J.A.R.V.I.S. in “Iron Man,” first
appeared on screen as Vision in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” The actor says he first
heard about “WandaVision” during a visit to Marvel Studios. “I went in, and much to my
surprise, they pitched this idea for a show that is an homage to American sitcoms,” he
says. “It’s a beautiful little puzzle box that you begin to open. As mad and chaotic as the
trailer looks, everything has a reason. There are layers upon layers.”
“WandaVision” stars Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, Paul Bettany as Vision,
Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, who was introduced to audiences in “Captain
Marvel,” and Kathryn Hahn as Agnes, the nosy neighbor. Randall Park will reprise his
role as Jimmy Woo from “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” and Kat Dennings will reprise her
role as Darcy from “Thor” and “Thor: The Dark World.”
The series is directed by Matt Shakman (“Game of Thrones,” “It’s Always Sunny in
Philadelphia”) with Jac Schaeffer (“The Hustle,” “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure”) as head
writer. Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso,
Shakman and Schaeffer, and co-executive producers are Mary Livanos and Trevor
Waterson. Jess Hall, ASC, is director of photography, Mark Worthington is production
designer, Mayes C. Rubeo is costume designer and Tara DeMarco is VFX supervisor.
Composer is Christophe Beck, and theme (for certain episodes) is by Kristen AndersonLopez and Robert Lopez. “WandaVision” debuts on Disney+ on Jan. 15, 2021.
