‘Agatha All Along’ Creator Jac Schaeffer Took Steps to Prevent a Repeat of ‘WandaVision’ Fan Theory Commotion

‘Agatha All Along’ Creator Jac Schaeffer Took Steps to Prevent a Repeat of ‘WandaVision’ Fan Theory Commotion

As a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I was absolutely thrilled to hear about Evan Peters potentially playing Aubrey’s visiting detective in a future project! His performance as Ralph Bohner in WandaVision was truly captivating, and I can only imagine how amazing he would be in another role within this universe.


As a gaming enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new titles to dive into. Recently, I came across Agatha All Along, a game that initially seemed ordinary, but its intriguing marketing campaign piqued my curiosity. It doesn’t give away any major spoilers, so I thought it would be worth exploring!

Jac Schaeffer‘s “WandaVision” wasn’t initially planned to launch Marvel Studios’ TV debut on Disney+, but a shift due to the pandemic in early 2021 turned out to be a success. This led the showrunner to expand the popular series into “Agatha All Along,” starring Kathryn Hahn. Apart from “Loki,” “WandaVision” is often regarded as the premier production of what’s now known as Marvel Television (under Kevin Feige), serving as a precursor for the MCU on Disney+. However, Schaeffer didn’t anticipate one issue with the show: an excessive amount of fan theories.

Absolutely, when a series or movie manages to generate such palpable excitement from its audience, it’s generally a good sign, considering how challenging it is to keep people engaged nowadays. However, the speculation surrounding ‘WandaVision’ reached exceptional heights, even rivaling the intense fan theories that emerged after ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ in 2015. Viewers were convinced that the demonic Marvel villain Mephisto was the main antagonist and that Al Pacino would portray him. Additionally, some believed a mention of an unidentified “aerospace engineer” would herald the arrival of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s The Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards. Unfortunately, these predictions didn’t materialize as expected.

Initially, Schaeffer found fan theories to be something of a conundrum, as he wasn’t expecting anything specific yet felt reluctant to disappoint fans by dismissing their speculations outright.

During ‘WandaVision’, I must admit I found some fan theories quite sensitive, but my perspective has shifted since then,” Schaeffer explains to The Hollywood Reporter. “Everyone involved in ‘WandaVision’ was so laid-back about the fan speculations, and now I realize that there will always be theories. All you can do is give your best performance and hope that the audience enjoys the storyline as it unfolds.

Agatha All Along offers much for fans to ponder, including the nature of Joe Locke’s character. Yet, Schaeffer was careful to implement some safeguards to prevent minor details from escalating into unwarranted anticipation.

Schaeffer explains that there are several matters he can’t disclose due to their sensitivity. He has chosen his words carefully to ensure confidentiality.

In a recent chat with THR, Schaeffer admitted one thing she regrets about Agatha’s series premiere, which led her to express, “If only I could re-film the pilot episode now.

In our previous conversation, we discussed the finale of WandaVision and how Wanda tucking her children as the hex collapsed reminded me of a scene from Titanic. You admitted that you hadn’t made the connection until then, but acknowledged there might have been a subconscious influence at play. Given this, it wasn’t unexpected when Agatha All Along’s marketing hinted in their very first teaser trailer that you were once again dipping into Kate Winslet territory with a nod to Mare of Easttown.

(Laughs.)

Was the intention behind creating Agatha All Along to provide a brief stint in prestige drama, similar to how WandaVision reimagined classic sitcoms?

Initially, I recall the incident involving the ship called Titanic. To be honest, it hadn’t crossed my mind for some time, but your mention of it really took me by surprise. It was as if a memory buried deep within my mind suddenly surfaced and made itself known.

Indeed, that’s exactly what I had in mind! I was essentially saying, “I want to be part of a high-end true crime series.” The word ‘prestige’ perfectly captures the essence of what I wanted to convey. When discussing my idea with Kevin Feige, I would often emphasize, “This project requires a prestigious touch, it should have that distinctive, gritty feel reminiscent of shows like True Detective, which audiences are currently drawn to.

‘Agatha All Along’ Creator Jac Schaeffer Took Steps to Prevent a Repeat of ‘WandaVision’ Fan Theory Commotion

Additionally, there’s the intriguing question about why Evan Peters wasn’t considered for the role of Aubrey Plaza’s visiting detective in “Mare of Easttown.” Given that he plays a character in “WandaVision,” one might wonder if a conversation took place about him taking on this role, which would have added an extraordinary layer of meta-references.

(Laughs heartily.) It never crossed my mind before, but what a brilliant concept! I’m absolutely smitten with Evan Peters. He’s such an exceptional talent, the kind of performer who could convincingly embody a role indefinitely. Just imagining him continuing to portray that character brings me immense joy. Sadly, it didn’t occur to me earlier, and I can’t help but wish I had the chance to redo the pilot episode with him.

Hey there! As a gamer, I remember our chat about WandaVision and how the fan theories could sometimes get a bit overwhelming. Of course, I don’t want to stifle the excitement and speculation among fans, especially with Agatha All Along having so many intriguing elements. But, in an effort to prevent minor details from being exaggerated beyond their significance again, did we introduce any mechanisms or strategies to keep things balanced?

Indeed, my perspective has shifted since diving into the captivating world of WandaVision. Initially, I found myself quite attached to certain fan theories, taking them somewhat personally. However, after traversing the unique narrative of WandaVision, I’ve come to realize that fan speculations are an integral part of the fandom experience. The team at Marvel during WandaVision was incredibly laid-back about these theories, and this newfound understanding has allowed me to let go of my preoccupation with them.

‘Agatha All Along’ Creator Jac Schaeffer Took Steps to Prevent a Repeat of ‘WandaVision’ Fan Theory Commotion

I appreciate the Lilia (Patti LuPone) character as she consistently challenges misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding witches. One might wonder if this was intentional, and indeed, it seems that the closing credits hint at the origins of these very ideas. Was the intention then to both honor and twist traditional on-screen portrayals of witches?

The concept you presented was spot on, and it’s bringing back my fondness for your insightful questions since you truly grasp our objectives and mine. It’s incredibly rewarding to see this alignment. Similarly, in creating sitcoms like WandaVision, we aimed to do two things: appreciate the charm of sitcoms while also poking fun at them. I admire content that achieves this balance, such as Galaxy Quest. This film beautifully combines an engaging Star Trek-like narrative with constant self-parody, making it one of my favorites.

In essence, this series wasn’t about traditional sitcoms; it delved into the realm of witches. However, there are other layers of meaning interwoven as well. The popular image of what a witch might be is often absurd, and I feel that the show aims to tap into all those misconceptions. These witches can embody tropes if they choose, but they’re also free to break those molds and surprise us. They have the freedom to be whatever they want, which is the core philosophy of this show.

***
Agatha All Along two-episode premiere is now streaming on Disney+.

Read More

2024-09-10 23:25