Marvel's WandaVision: Elizabeth Olsen & Paul Bettany Spent Less Than 48 Hours Filming First Episode

By Richard Nebens Posted:
Wanda and Vision 1950's

Marvel Studios has nearly a half a dozen new projects deep into production for Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which will make its long-awaited debut in January 2021 with WandaVision. This project is centered around Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch as she creates an entirely new alternate reality with a newly-revived Vision, and the story will be told through the lenses of multiple eras of network television.

The first Disney+ Super Bowl trailer and the full WandaVision trailer from the Emmys gives teases of this crazy couple from the 1950's to at least the 1990's before the show evolves into the usual full-blown MCU epic. Recently, one of the series' co-stars even took some time to go into specifics on how the earliest of these time periods was brought from the cameras to the screen.

NEWS

In a new interview with SiriusXM radio, Vision actor Paul Bettany went into details on his experience at the start of filming for WandaVision on Disney+. Multiple reports have confirmed the first couple of episodes were shot in front of a live studio audience in the style of a 1950's sitcom, and Bettany shared how much he enjoyed the experience with this quote:

We shot the first episode in two days in front of a live studio audience, and we shot it exactly as you would have shot one of those shows in the ’50s. Like, you know, The Dick Van Dyke Show or, you know, I Love Lucy. It was such a thrill and it was so bonkers and fun.

The full two-minute interview can be seen in the video below:

 

 

WHAT THIS MEANS

This on-set experience is the first of its kind for any project in MCU history with the team behind WandaVision paying tribute to the earliest days of television and movie production. Shows like I Love Lucy and The Dick Van Dyke Show helped set the beginning stages for how TV shows and movies are made, and Marvel going so deep into this style of production should be exciting for MCU fans. The fact that Marvel and Disney+ filmed the first episode in only two days points to the incredible expertise and efficiency of everybody involved, which should speak volumes about the expected quality of the end result.

It also made for a brand-new experience for all the cast members, including Bettany himself, as the team brought in the live studio audience for a unique perspective into the superhero genre. As this show moves from eras like this into more recent times, imitating modern sitcoms like Modern Family and The Office, the entertainment factor will undoubtedly be at an all-time high as Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen become MCU headliners for the first time.

WandaVision will officially premiere on Disney+ on January 15, 2021, with new episodes coming every following week.

- In This Article: WandaVision
Release Date
January 15, 2021
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- About The Author: Richard Nebens
Richard Nebens joined The Direct in March 2020, now serving as the site's Senior Writer and also working as an assistant editor and content creator. He started his journalism career as a hobby in 2019 and is passionate about sharing news and stories from the entertainment industry, especially comic book movies, comedy, and sci-fi. Richard looks to expand his knowledge about movies and TV every day, and he is eager to stay locked into the latest releases and breaking news at every opportunity.