WandaVision served as the first project for Marvel Studios' ambitious Phase 4 slate, but it's no secret that this happened because of pandemic-infused delays. Still, the Elizabeth Olsen-led series delivered a successful run on Disney+ with the show earning an overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans alongside a slew of awards.
Created by Jac Schaeffer, WandaVision initially started as a sitcom filled with American television tropes like cheesy dialogue and theme songs. Given that this was still a series set within the confines of the MCU, it was clear that not everything was what it seemed, especially after it was revealed that Paul Bettany's Vision was suddenly resurrected after being killed off by Thanos during Avengers: Infinity War.
Throughout its nine-episode run, WandaVision was filled with mysteries, ultimately leading to rampant fan speculation about the show's villain, plot twists, and connections to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The reception from fans proved to be a triumph for the Marvel series since it became the main topic of discussion on social media for months.
Fresh from winning a barrage of awards from the recently-concluded MTV Awards, Olsen described the experience before the premiere of WandaVision in a new interview.
ELIZABETH OLSEN TALKS PRESSURE HEADING INTO WANDAVISION
Wanda Maximoff star Elizabeth Olsen recently sat down as a guest on the Awards Chatter podcast to talk about the successful run of WandaVision and her preparations for the hit Marvel series.
When asked if she felt any hesitance before joining WandaVision, Olsen admitted that she was “really scared” because Wanda and Vision “are supposed to be in a movie theater:”
“Yeah, completely. I think Paul [Bettany] has his own version of this story. I was really scared 'cause I thought these characters are supposed to be in a movie theater. They're larger than life. They're saving the world...”
Despite the initial hesitance, the Marvel actress said that her excitement about “honoring television” became her anchor before WandaVision, but she did reveal that there was still an “insane amount of pressure:”
“I think because of this excitement that I had about honoring television. I felt like that was the best way for Marvel to enter television is by honoring the medium. I thought that part of it, being on TV, was exciting to me. Again, Disney+, same kind of vibe with Facebook, but kind of more of an industry, but it's an industry giant as opposed to an industry outsider. And so, I felt more capable hands with Disney+. The moments leading up to this release, I was mortified. I felt like such an insane amount of pressure that no one was putting on me."
Marvel Studios' original plan was to kick off Phase 4 with Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, but that responsibility was given to WandaVision instead.
Olsen clarified that the aforementioned pressure was due to the fact that the show served as the first Marvel property after Spider-Man: Far From Home while also hilariously pointing out the cast and crew “filmed something crazy” during production:
“Just being the first thing that, you said, with Marvel, that the world hadn't seen in 18 months. It wasn't supposed to be that way, even with the TV shows. This other crazy pressure of, 'What the hell did we just film?' We filmed something crazy, so either you're going to be with us or not with us."
ELIZABETH OLSEN'S SUCCESS IN THE MCU
Many would agree that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is closely linked to success, but there will always be some kind of pressure associated with that notion.
Olsen's comment about feeling an “insane amount of pressure” is understandable considering that WandaVision was the first Marvel series on Disney+. This is on top of the fact that the Marvel series was the franchise's first foray into the world of sitcom, and the reveal that it was literally filmed in front of a live studio audience should further cement the actress' remark of being “scared” before the premiere.
Despite that, the small screen success of the MCU was hard to gauge before WandaVision, but two shows later, it seems that all is well for the television department of the superhero franchise.
In addition, the weekly approach of releasing episodes proved to be a game-changer since it helped consistently hype up the show for a long stretch. This is part of the fun of entering television, and it's safe to say that Marvel Studios delivered.
It remains to be seen if WandaVision will receive a second season, but the show already proved that the narrative was contained on its debut run. Still, Wanda Maximoff's transformation into the Scarlet Witch presents numerous story possibilities, and there's a good chance that the powerful hero will be featured in more MCU projects, whether it may be on television or in films down the line.
All episodes of WandaVision are now streaming on Disney+.
LATEST NEWS
TRENDING
