WANDAVISION Showrunner Reveals Why Marvel Studios Stopped Her From Using Certain Other MCU Characters

WandaVision showrunner Jac Schaefer has revealed why Marvel Studios stopped her using certain other characters from the MCU, while also shedding some light on the involvement of Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo.

By JoshWilding - Jan 25, 2021 02:01 AM EST

Filed Under: WandaVision

Source: The Hollywood Reporter (via The Direct)

Black Widow writer Jac Schaeffer was tasked with serving as WandaVision's showrunner by Marvel Studios, and during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter (via The Direct), the filmmaker opened up on the challenges that came with playing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sandbox.

While she spoke positively about her experience, frequently praising the studio's executives and Kevin Feige, Schaeffer admitted that not being able to use certain characters was a little frustrating.

"There are occasionally times when it's kind of restrictive, and you hatch a really exciting idea that involves a character from the comics or a character from the MCU, and you pitch it, and then you're met with 'Oh, no, we're using that in this.' There's occasionally that kind of thing, which is frustrating, but there's so much to go around that there's always another character, another storyline or something that you can kind of like shunt in and get the same kind of juice out of."

Schaeffer was quick to point out that she was given "an enormous amount of freedom inside of my own prescribed sandbox," and explained that Marvel Studios suggested using Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). However, that idea was one she was "100%" on board with.

"That's sort of what I've seen on the other properties, it's like they at Marvel have ideas of where they can put different characters in different storylines," she explains. "And that doesn't always work out, that's not always how it is. I would say that most of the wonderful players in the MCU stable, if they get the call, they're gonna show up because they're excited to."

Given the success of WandaVision, it's easy to imagine Schaeffer becoming a fixture of the MCU moving forward, and her passion for wanting to tell stories with these characters is clear to see.

Click on the "Next" button below for another look
at the weirdest moments in Westview this week!

5. What's Wrong With Herb?

We first met Herb during the second episode of WandaVision, and there was nothing particularly strange about him (well, aside from an aversion to mastication, perhaps).

There's something very weird going on here, though, because while he's trimming the hedges, Herb starts cutting through the wall as well. Vision is perplexed, and when he points out that his neighbour has gone a little low, he acts like he's simply made a normal, everyday mistake.

This has to mean something, and we can't help but feel that Herb - forced into this twisted sitcom reality like everyone else in Westview - was trying to cut his way out of this reality.

4. Be Kind Rewind

When Vision comes back inside, he points out to Wanda that it feels like something strange is going on. She initially agrees (likely thinking he's referring to her pregnancy), but when he starts talking about some of the recent weirdness in the town - like dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Hart - his wife looks concerned.

With that, the scene skips back as if it's being rewound on a dodgy VHS player, and their conversation plays out very differently. Vision seems completely unaware of what's just happened.

The emergence of that beekeeper from the sewers last week saw Wanda react with a defiant "no" before time reversed itself, so we can't help but think the Scarlet Witch has some control over what's going on. Is she happy living in this sitcom setting alongside her fellow Avenger or under someone else's spell?

3. HYDRA Soak

We get another commercial this week, and it's once again HYDRA-themed. We're pretty sure the villainous organisation never specialised in "luxury bath powder," but there are some intriguing hints here.

For starters, the tagline is "Find the Goddess Within." Prior to Avengers: Age of Ultron, Baron Von Strucker used the Mind Stone to unleash the powers within the Scarlet Witch; does this mean that whoever is pulling the strings views Wanda Maximoff as a "Goddess"? It's certainly pretty feasible.

It still seems unlikely that HYDRA is playing a role in what's happening in Westview, but this is the second time they've been referenced, so it definitely feels like they're somehow important to this story.

2. Weird Whispers

When Vision walks outside with the doctor following the birth of Billy and Tommy, the android learns that the physician has decided to cancel his holiday because, well, no one escapes a small town.

That alone makes it sound like he's an unwilling participant in whatever's happening, but before Vision can give it much thought, he notices an agitated Agnes whispering something to Herb. Listen carefully, and you'll hear them mention Geraldine, and both try to play it cool when Vision approaches them.

It looks like Herb is going to tell the Avenger what's going on (and possibly that they're all trapped), but Agnes stops him, and they both soon return to their cheery, sitcom selves. Does anyone else think that perhaps everyone here has been "cast" in roles they're being forced to stick to?

1. Remember Ultron?

Talking to Geraldine after giving birth, Wanda reveals that, like Billy and Tommy, she's a twin. Unfortunately, her brother died, and it's then her friend appears to snap back to reality. Geraldine points out that he was killed by Ultron, and it really doesn't look like the Scarlet Witch wants to hear this.

She questions Geraldine about who she really is, but her friend can't remember, and the presence of a necklace bearing the S.W.O.R.D. logo seems to bother Wanda more than you might expect.

The tension mounts, but by the time Vision comes back inside, Geraldine has gone, and a seemingly quite sinister Wanda claims that she's simply returned home (outside, Agnes mentioned that Geraldine doesn't have one). We then see "Geraldine" blasted out of an energy field surrounding Westview, only to be surrounded by S.W.O.R.D. agents...

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22 Comments

InfinitePunches - 1/25/2021, 2:26 AM

I feel like Paul Rudd would've been a fun addition to this show.

MosquitoFarmer - 1/25/2021, 7:26 AM

@InfinitePunches - Paul Rudd is a fun addition to anything.

Mugens - 1/25/2021, 2:47 AM

Not really surprised about anything she said. Just happy she is enjoying herself with the overall experience, or as she said, playing in Marvel's sandbox.

Comicmoviejunki - 1/25/2021, 5:52 AM

@Mugens - no

Mugens - 1/25/2021, 6:50 AM

@Marveladdict - No what?

MosquitoFarmer - 1/25/2021, 7:27 AM

@Mugens - Know what?

GhostDog - 1/25/2021, 4:23 AM

Depends on the characters she wanted to use. Also, isn’t she the head writer?

TheManWithoutFear - 1/25/2021, 5:46 AM

Snowbirdd - 1/25/2021, 9:40 PM

@TheManWithoutFear - this gif is so clear and crisp lol

TheManWithoutFear - 1/25/2021, 5:48 AM

This answer reminds me of the 80s when Marvel Comics editorial actually did something and they would be like "this character can't show up because she's over here right now". Love it. Full circle.

regularmovieguy - 1/25/2021, 6:13 AM

There's something funny about Marvel offering two of their worst characters.

Been digging the show, though. The sitcom stuff is amusing...but the twilight zone reality is what's keeping me coming back. I hope it gets weirder.

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WANDAVISION Showrunner Reveals Why Marvel Studios Stopped Her From Using Certain Other MCU Characters

WandaVision showrunner Jac Schaefer has revealed why Marvel Studios stopped her using certain other characters from the MCU, while also shedding some light on the involvement of Darcy Lewis and Jimmy Woo.

5. What's Wrong With Herb?

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2. Weird Whispers

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