The line between reality and illusion begins to blur in Marvel’s spin on classic sitcom shows.
Kathryn Hahn’s character in the next Disney + series “WandaVision” has so far been shrouded in mystery. In the 1980s retro unfolding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hahn plays the overly cheerful but also nosy neighbor of Elizabeth Olsen’s character, Wanda. A new trailer for the series, which will launch eight episodes on the streaming platform from January 15, offers a closer look at Hahn’s character, who at one point pauses the scene in which he is with Wanda’s Vision character and Paul Bettany. See below.
After the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” “WandaVision” focuses on Wanda and Vision as they try to live an idealized suburban life in the small town of Westview, where residents don’t know about their powers. But the boundary between reality and illusion begins to blur for the pair in this series created by Jac Schaeffer, based on the character Scarlet Witch created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
The series is directed by Matt Shakman. Schaeffer serves as principal writer and executive producer alongside Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige. The series will also star Teyonah Parris, Kat Dennings and Randall Park. Dennings and Park appeared in other Marvel Cinematic Universe projects.
According to a report in Entertainment Weekly, “WandaVision” director Shakman and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige consulted the legendary Dick Van Dyke about the particulars of making a classic TV series broadcast to give the series that feel. Shakman and Feige invited the actor to Disneyland in the summer of 2019 for lunch, where they learned about the classic sitcom format that he revolutionized with “The Dick Van Dyke Show”.
“WandaVision” was originally scheduled to be the second show for Disney + ‘s Marvel Cinematic Universe, after “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”, which was delayed in 2021 due to production challenges related to the pandemic. But now, “WandaVision” will be the first.
Both programs are part of a growing arsenal of Marvel series that will debut on Disney +; others include “Hawkeye” and “Loki”, which will focus on the characters of Jeremy Renner and Tom Hiddleston from their respective Marvel films. Additional Marvel Cinematic Universe programs aimed at Disney + include “Ms. Marvel, ”“ Moon Knight ”,“ She-Hulk ”and“ What If …? ”With many more to come.
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