WandaVision director Matt Shakman, who cut his teeth as much in the sitcom as in the big productions, returned to the Marvel Studios series for Disney + during a roundtable interview.
A former child star in a 1980s sitcom, director of numerous TV series, from comedy (Philadelphia) to big-name productions (Game of Thrones), and absolute Marvel fan, according to him, Matt Shakman was the perfect director to put in stage the nine episodes of WandaVision, Marvel Studios' first series for Disney +. On the occasion of a round table with other journalists, in which AlloCiné was able to participate, Matt Shakman returned to his experience in the series centered on the couple formed by Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) and the success of the show.
The balance between the genre of the sitcom and the Marvel universe
He first confides that it was a dream "as a fan of being able to work in the Marvel Universe" and tell an original story. What also motivated him to realize and produce WandaVision was the idea of being part of a larger collective enterprise: "I knew we were creating an important chapter that informs the future of Marvel, in Captain Marvel 2 and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And I like to think of it as a relay race, we take it back. stick, we run with it and then we pass it to the next ".
With one episode remaining, WandaVision still has many mysteries to unravel. Matt Shakman promises a final chapter "very exciting", always in harmony with the Marvel universe. While respecting the genre of the sitcom was a priority for him, it also had to be consistent with the MCU. The fact that most of the cast, like Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda), Paul Bettany (Vision), Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis) and Randall Park (Jimmy Woo) already knew their characters well was a plus as so many changes took place. during filming.
Screenshot / Disney +
"We were shooting elements of the episodes at the same time depending on the availability of the places, the actors, the construction of the sets. But the scripts were all available for the actors, they changed a lot over time but they were day on the scripts. So they knew what was going on on the scenes, especially flashbacks, which we all discussed. We rehearsed well before we started filming. They already had that in their blood, as of course the other scenes. that they did together in the Marvel Universe which is certainly similar to the famous talk scene at Avengers Headquarters when we learn more about Wanda and Vision's relationship. All of this has contributed to their understanding of their characters and what they are doing. their relationship".Total freedom from Disney +
If the spirit of WandaVision mixes sitcom and superheroes with trickle-down clues, which have garnered many theories within the fan community and which had to stick with the Marvel universe, Matt Shakman believes that the force of the series lies in its plot, strongly emotional and very simple: "It was a complicated job, you had to have an eye for detail to make all the pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly. But in itself the story is simple, beautiful and powerful, it is one person who lost a lot. loved ones, his parents, his brother, the love of his life. The series picks up all the pieces. "
Screenshot / Disney +
It is this emotional power that conquered the hearts of fans: "I think a series about a woman who created a reality to escape trauma and grief has a real resonance with what the world is going through right now. Obviously you couldn't anticipate it when we were in. working on the show but I think that also explains its success. We find refuge in this entertainment in the same way that Wanda finds refuge in her fictional reality. "
The length of each episode really depends on what you needed to tell about it. [...] It is really the story that took precedence over the duration of the episodes.
The plot and form of the series were risky bets for Marvel Studios and Disney + which cater to a community accustomed to well-oiled, action-packed blockbusters. But according to Matt Shakman, complete creative freedom was granted to his team and that of Jac Schaeffer, the showrunner, until the duration of the episodes: "The length of each episode really depends on what you needed to tell about it. The first episodes in a purely sitcom style have episode lengths similar to that of the sitcoms we honor, like the Dick Van Dyke show. or My Beloved Witch. It's only when you get to more hybrid episodes between the sitcom universe and the Marvel universe that they last a little longer. the story which took precedence over the duration of the episodes ".
Having become the hottest series around and commented weekly on social media, WandaVision has won over fans of Marvel and beyond. A success that Matt Shakman is delighted with: "You could never have imagined the reception the show would have. We're so grateful that the show is so popular around the world. We really worked hard to make the best show possible and hoped that audiences would enjoy it. ". Will WandaVision's popularity make Marvel Studios and Disney + want to grant it a season 2? Matt Shakman took advantage of this round table to confirm the words of Kevin Feige and explain that absolutely no plan was planned for a season 2 but clarified that "with Marvel, you must never say never!".
