Twelves hours before the official premiere of its first Disney+ series, Marvel Studios held a virtual stream event on YouTube, Twitter, and other social media platforms featuring the cast of WandaVision. Hosted by Angelique Roche (Marvel’s Voices Podcast), the 23-minute stream featured series’ stars Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene, Avengers: Age of Ultron) and Paul Bettany (Uncle Frank, Legion) as well as the supporting cast. You can view the entire presentation below.
The stream opened with a nostalgic reel highlighting the first decade of Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Narrated by Robert Downey Jr’s (Dolittle, Tropic Thunder) Tony Stark, viewers watched the MCU’s humble beginnings with Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. As the reel continued, it displayed the most recent films Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The narration then changed to Bettany’s voice as Vision delivering his “conflict breeds catastrophe” monologue from Captain America: Civil War. The reel ended highlighting moments between Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff, and Vision.
Roche’s first guest was none other than Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige. Sporting a custom black WandaVision cap, he lamented on how no one was experiencing “MCU withdrawals” more than the Marvel Studios team. He was excited to finally deliver “a show, story that we could not show as a feature.” Feige described how the episodic approach worked best for WandaVision because of the creative risks they take in the narrative.
Next, the host greeted viewers with the stars of the show. Appearing from separate locations, Roche welcomed Olsen and Bettany to the stream. Roche began the interview by asking Olsen to describe the series in three words.
“Wild, magical, love,” Olsen said. Roche then asked Bettany how he felt about returning to the MCU after his character’s unfortunate demise at the end of Infinity War.
“I was thrilled,” Bettany said. “After Endgame I thought I was dead and I was,” Bettany said. He described meeting with Feige’s team expecting to receive his walking papers. Instead, he was pitched the series and the rest is history.
Roche segued from her own questions to open it up with questions from fans on Twitter. One fan asked what makes Wanda and Vision’s relationship so special. Olsen described how her character’s strong feelings and Vision’s logical way of thinking make them a perfect match. Bettany described them as having a “unicorn relationship” and how they “genuinely complete each other.” As they ended the fans’ Q&A, the two surprised the wall of unsuspecting fans who were attending the stream via Zoom.
Roche then welcomed two new faces to the MCU in Kathryn Hahn (Bad Moms, Mrs. Fletcher) and Teyonah Parris (Candyman, Chi-Raq). Hahn plays the nosy neighbor, Agnes, while Parris is appearing as adult Monica Rambeau. Viewers will remember first meeting Monica as a child in Captain Marvel. Roche asked newcomer Parris to describe her experience in joining the MCU.
“It’s been a helluva ride and I’m excited,” Parris said. Being that Rambeau is one of Roche’s favorite Marvel heroes, she asked Parris if she spent any time reading the comics as source material. Parris confirmed she did her research and hopes folks are open to her interpretation of the character.
It was at this moment the stream experienced an awkward glitch, recycling on a loop of Parris answering a question. After what felt like forever, the stream was restored to normal playback and Roche opened the floor for more fan questions. A particular fan asked Hahn what type of dish her character Agnes would give to Wanda and Vision to welcome them to the neighborhood.
“A Green bean casserole,” Hahn replied. She stated it was the signature midwestern dish to prepare since the show is set somewhere in Ohio.
The final guests to arrive were Randall Park (Always Be My Maybe, Fresh Off the Boat and Kat Dennings (2 Broke Girls, Dollface). Both Park and Dennings are reprising their roles from previous MCU movies. Park plays secret agent Jimmy Woo from Ant-Man and the Wasp; and, Dennings will return as Darcy from Thor and Thor: The Dark World. Roche asked both what fans can expect with their character returns.
Park reassured Jimmy may still have his signature card tricks up his sleeve. And Dennings described how Darcy “kind of learned how to be a boss.” She also described her excitement for the series as Wanda and Vision are “one of the most emotional parts of the Marvel Universe.”
Roche then introduced some special guests with very specific questions for Olsen and Bettany. The cast was surprised by film co-stars Tom Hiddleston (Loki, Thor: Ragnarok), Anthony Mackie (Outside the Wire, Black Mirror), and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, The Imitation Game). They each had their own comic query for Olsen and Bettany. Hiddleston pined how Bettany’s Vision coming back to life was “kind of a Loki thing,” and Mackie jokingly asked them why his character, Sam Wilson/Falcon, was their favorite Avenger. Finally, Cumberbatch questioned their borrowing Dr. Strange’s use of time-travel before rambling a 30-second promo for the series.
The stream concluded with the casts’ thoughts of what fans can expect. Bettany described it as “a big swing for Marvel.” Olsen stated it is indeed “a sitcom. Marvel. [and] places in between.” She hopes fans receive “joy from it and are entertained.”
“[I] cannot wait for your minds to be blown wide open,” Hahn said about the show. The first two episodes of WandaVision debut on Friday, Jan., 15 at 12:00 a.m. PT/3:00 a.m. ET on Disney+. Watch the latest trailer for the series below.