The next phase of the MCU has already begun with the arrival of WandaVision this week, giving fans a chance to finally witness the small-screen debuts of Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany on Disney+. Right now, viewers are already celebrating the show's launch on the streaming service by sharing their positive reactions on social media, which means that the wait was worth it for MCU diehards.
After numerous delays and reshuffling of release dates, WandaVision appears to be the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's fitting that the MCU's most powerful Avenger is the hero to welcome fans back into the fold. As expected, the first two episodes didn't offer any huge reveals, but is instead focused on setting the tone and the mystery of how Wanda and Vision ended up in this particular (and weird) situation from the get-go.
While fans recover from the MCU's heart-stopping return, a new promotional video has surfaced to provide an in-depth look at how WandaVision came to life.
NEWS
Marvel Studios officially released a story featurette for WandaVision, showcasing how the cast and crew worked together to create a compelling narrative revolving around a sitcom-based approach. The video also highlights how the first episode was filmed in front of a live audience.
WandaVision director Matt Shakman pointed out in the video that the MCU series is “recreating the whole era of sitcoms.” Elizabeth Olsen also described the mysterious alternate reality as “sitcom land.”
Several snippets of new footage were also included in the promo like the entrance of the beekeeper into the altered Westview and shots of Jimmy Woo and Monica Rambeau.
Paul Bettany's Vision tries to keep it lowkey as he works for his day job in this still from the latest promotional video of WandaVision.
Shakman and Olsen collaborate while filming a scene in the first episode of WandaVision.
An impressive look at the production design of WandaVision is showcased in this official still from Marvel Studios.
Given that the first two episodes are mostly in black and white, this official still provides a much better look at the colorful set design of the show.
A cameraman looks ahead while filming an important sequence for WandaVision.
The full video can be seen below:
WHAT THIS MEANS
No doubt, the featurette is the perfect icing on the cake after a successful Disney+ premiere for WandaVision. Marvel Studios is known for taking bold risks ever since they started with 2008's Iron Man, but the studio took it up a notch by fusing sitcom elements into WandaVision, and doing it seamlessly is impressive.
Filming in front of a live studio audience is daunting for any actor, but it seems that the show's lead cast and crew enjoyed every bit of it as evidenced by the latest featurette. This also marks the first time that an MCU production was showcased in front of actual viewers, and this goes to show the overwhelming trust of the studio towards WandaVision.
WandaVision takes the first crack at the long-form storytelling approach of the franchise, and based on the show's performance, it appears that the plan is working. So far, the mystery surrounding the altered side of Westview essentially hooks viewers from the start, and this will clearly benefit the series as it progresses into an MCU spectacle down the line.
Interestingly, the sitcom-based elements of the show did provide a number of hints about what's really going on in the story, but the messaging suggests that it's all up to fans to uncover what lies within. It's funny to think that WandaVision is still shrouded in mystery even after the premiere of the first set of episodes, but Feige did promise that there will be a "wealth of rewards" as it all unfolds.
Hopefully, everything will be worth the wait.
