#INTERVIEW: “WANDAVISION” WITH ELIZABETH OLSEN, PAUL BETTANY, KATHRYN HAHN, TEYONAH PARRIS, MATT SHAKMAN, JAC SCHAEFFER X KEVIN FEIGE

Marvel make their official foray into the Television Sitcom realm with WANDAVISION. The Series infuses classic television together with their Cinematic Universe, which over three phases since 2008 have brought us acclaimed films like The Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Black Panther franchises and more.

Two characters found in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) have their moment in WANDAVISION, a nine-episode series set after the events of Avengers: Endgame. These two superheroes find themselves living in the suburbs when very soon they begin seeing that things aren’t as ideal as they seem. At the same time, they must conceal their identities. Over the course of the Series and its mock commercials, Marvel fans can begin to draw its clever connection of the Series to the rest of the MCU.

See the Trailer:

We had the opportunity to attend an international virtual Press Junket for WANDAVISION and in attendance were:

Elizabeth Olsen …Wanda
Paul Bettany …Vision
Teyonah Parris …Monica Rambeau
Kathryn Hahn …Agnes
Matt Shakman …Director/Producer
Jac Schaeffer …Writer/Producer
Kevin Feige …Producer

Star Jaleel White (Family Matters) who has been good friends with Shakman since childhood, was invited to moderate the panel. Shakman goes onto explain how they met.

Shakman: “We were unceremoniously fired on this show called Good Morning Miss Bliss with Hayley Mills that got reconceived from middle school to high school as Saved by the Bell! I was supposed to be Mario Lopez! We both went on to better things!”.

We learned the first episode of WANDAVISION was shot before a live studio audience. Elizabeth Olsen comments on how this impacted her performance.

Olsen: “It was the first thing we shot. It was so nerve-wrecking and there was a lot of adrenaline, quick changes and it totally confused my brain. It really messed with my brain, the idea of now playing to an audience, feeding off an audience and having a camera. And I was really grateful when we added a Fourth Wall first!”.

Olsen who delivers a standout performance as Wanda is asked where she pulled her inspiration from in this role.

Olsen: “I felt like it was an amalgamation of Mary Tyler Moore and Elizabeth Montgomery and I think I accidentally threw-in some Lucy (Lucille Ball) in the ’70s because there was so much Physical Comedy.”.

She comments also on exploring Wanda‘s power in a Sitcom form.

Olsen: “Well, I can’t wiggle my nose, so we had to figure out something that was period-appropriate. This was our translation and to our watch our Special Effects team that usually blows things up, sets things on fire, create wind, create smoke – these guys become puppeteers of things floating in the sky, like magnets to make things spin a certain way. It was so special seeing the them adapt to the era in ways to create these practical effects or research what they did on Bewitched. I’d have to do something like hold still, trying to do a quick change and remembering the way my body was for the camera. There was just a lot of silly things we got to do that I’m normally used to it all coming together through CGI. It was really fun to have the practical effects there.”.

What is it about Vision that holds true regardless his surroundings?

Bettany: “I was worried initially this feels so different as I read the Script and I realized he’s always been becoming something else. He’s J.A.R.V.I.S., part-Ultron, he’s part Tony Stark and he’s omnipotent. But he’s also this naive ingenue and I thought maybe I’ll throw in just a little Dick Van Dyke in there and a little bit of Hugh Laurie. As long he remains decent and honourable and exists for Wanda, then you’re safe.”.

What does Vision need to blend into his community?

Bettany: “Oh, a lot of wigs!”

Teyonah Parris (Dear White People, The Photograph) tells us a bit about her involvement with WANDAVISION and also the Captain Marvel franchise.

Parris: “We met her in Captain Marvel as a little girl and in WANDAVISION we see who she now is as a grown woman. Through the course of the show, we find out where she’s been, what’s happened to her between that gap and how she’s evolved – or not – and we just follow her along.”.

“She will be joining along Carol Danvers and Miss Marvel in Captain Marvel 2 in November 2022.”.

With WANDAVISION being set within the idealistic Sitcom world, Director Shakman tells us about this “Sitcom Bootcamp” he helped create with the Cast and Crew.

Shakman: “We wanted to be as authentic as possible, so everything from Production Design to Cinematography to Costume Design, everything was about going on this deep dive. The Actors all wanted to do the same thing. So we watched a ton of old television episodes and talked about how Comedy changes because the approach to Comedy is really different in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Doing it in front of a live studio audience was weird quasi-Theatre/TV. It really adds to it and you can feel that energy of a theatrical performance working with an audience. When you get to ’60s, shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie, all the sudden there is the Fourth Wall and it’s more like doing a movie these days and that laugh track is canned and that changes the energy, the approach, the style, everything.”.

“We also worked with a fabulous dialect coach to work on how the people would sound in the era and move. We did everything we could to make it as authentic as possible.”.

At the heart of WANDAVISION is a love story. Writer/Producer Jac Schaeffer tells us more.

Schaeffer: “I think Wanda and Vision are tragic and also kind of warm and intimate. We’ve seen them in these really beautiful stolen moments in the Marvel universe. It’s actually been a small amount of screen time, but very powerful and very soulful. With WANDAVISION, we open up the space and the stage for them in this domestic sphere and we get to see them doing dishes in the kitchen and being cute. And all this homebody stuff that you’d never get to see a superhero participate in.”.

“We really go from enormous, dramatic moments in the MCU and in WANDAVISION, it’s a lot of cute-cute… until it’s not!”.

Kevin Feige has really found an incredible amount of success with the MCU in recent years, guiding Black Panther to an Oscar nomination – a first ever for a superhero movie. He also produced AVENGERS: ENDGAME, which became the highest grossing film of all time. He talks to this being Marvel‘s first crack at the Sitcom genre, which has been aided by the arrival of streaming service Disney+.

Feige: “This was our test run, Marvel’s first foray with a cast of characters we’ve seen in movies coming onto Television. The idea always was to do something that could not be done as a feature. There were a lot of meetings before people understood what it is we were trying to go for. We were able to turn a whacky idea into a spectacular show. I’m really happy that this worked out as it did for a debut on Disney+ for the MCU.”.

As the Series travels through different eras, Bettany, Olsen and Hahn, who plays intrusive neighbour Agnes, are asked how they adjust their physicality around this.

Bettany: “I think it’s a better question for Elizabeth, Teyonah and Kathyrn. I think there’s a lot more Slapstick Comedy early on, but by the ’90s they’ve made me look so ridiculous that I don’t have to work so hard for the laughs.”.

Olsen: “I think the way women move throughout the decades changes so much with what society wants from them. So Jac did write-in quite a few nods to how women evolved as we get to the ’60s. Wanda gets to wear some pants and that would adjust how someone moves through their space. Manners were a big part of it where we talk to vocal work, speech and cadence, and manners were a huge part of every decade and we would get this book of manners for the time as well. We’re not depicting an honest reality of the ’60s and ’70s, we’re depicting a Sitcom Reality, which has its own set of rules. “.

Hahn: “The Sitcom has always represented an aspirational view, a comfortable ideal. The trick was not only were we trying to live within each decade, but try to present this comfortable ideal. The structure of Sitcom – the set-up, misunderstanding and resolution is such a comfortable little structure. That’s something we had baked-in as kids of the ’80s. The trick is not to satirize it but get inside of each one. I think tonally this was such a trick to pull off.”.

WANDAVISION will kick-off Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although this wasn’t always the original plan prior to the Pandemic.

Feige: “Disney+ has allowed us to expand creatively what we do. The Falcon and the Winter Solider was supposed to debut first, followed soon behind by WANDAVISION, so creatively, it didn’t reshuffle. Part of having a long-range plan was having the ability to shuffle as the need arises. I’m not saying we were prepped for global pandemic because we were not, but we’ve always over the past 12-15 years at Marvel Studios been able to shuffle around. This required no shuffling around in terms of the creative. The unexpected has always served Marvel Studios well and it has served us well. I love how bold this is and as I said before, it is something you could only see on Disney+.”.

Feige is asked about his inspiration behind WANDAVISION.

Feige: “My grandfather worked for Procter & Gamble, which was a sponsor and producer behind mainly soap operas. In the early ’50s and ’60s, they did some primetime. So he was in the one of the companies behind The Dick Van Dyke Show. That might’ve been a little of it but it more is that I watched too much TV as a kid and I found a lot of comfort in television families. This is not a Parody or direct Satire. We love them and they meant a lot to us. As dated and silly as they might seem, there is a comfort factor there.”.

The first two episodes of WandaVision arrive on Disney+ Friday, January 15, 2021 with new episodes to come weekly.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PENGUIN BLOOM”

Naomi Watts is back in PENGUIN BLOOM, based on an inspiring true story.

Synopsis:

Based on the incredible true story, Penguin Bloom follows Sam Bloom (Academy Award® nominated Naomi Watts), a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a near-fatal accident leaves her unable to walk. As she learns to adapt to her new life, she finds hope in an unlikely hero, a small bird named Penguin.

See the Trailer:

PENGUIN BLOOM arrives on Netflix January 27, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “MALCOLM & MARIE”

John David Washington and Zendaya star in MALCOLM & MARIE, from Director Sam Levinson (Euphoria).

Synopsis:

When filmmaker Malcolm (John David Washington) and his girlfriend Marie (Zendaya), return home from a movie premiere and await his film’s critical response, the evening takes a turn as revelations about their relationship surface, testing the couple’s love.

See the Trailer:

MALCOLM & MARIE arrives on Netflix Friday, February 5, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#COOKING: CREAMY SEAFOOD BAKE

Creamy Seafood Bake. We’re still of the firm belief that cheese and seafood go well together. Something hearty, flavourful at every bite and decadent for this cold winter weather.

Ingredients:

2 lbs Manila Clams, scrubbed
300g Tilapia, cut into chunks
1/2 450g package of Capellini
3 cups Baby Spinach
3/4 cup 18% cream
3/4 cup Mozzarella and Cheddar, shredded
1/4 cup white wine
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsps butter
2 strips bacon, chopped
2 tbsps flour
1 stalk green onion, minced
1 tbsp White Truffle Oil

Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

1. Prepare pasta till al dente and strain. Set aside.
2. Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
3. In large skillet, sautée bacon, garlic and green onions in butter.
4. Add cream and reduce heat to medium-low to a simmer, stir-in spinach.
5. Once spinach has wilted, add Tilapia and clams. Cover lid and cook about 5-6 minutes or till clam shells open. Do not overcook.
6. Stir-in salt, pepper, wine and truffle oil. Turn off heat.
7. Place pasta in baking dish. Spoon seafood and sauce over top of pasta.
8. Sprinkle cheeses on-top and garnish with Cilantro.
9. Turn oven to broil mode, broiling for 5-6 minutes or till top of mixture is golden.

Gallery:

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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FROM “FINDING “OHANA”

This is a must-watch for those of you who adore Hawaii. Check-out some new stills from new Netflix series FINDING ‘OHANA!

Synopsis:
A summer in rural Oahu takes an exciting turn for two Brooklyn-raised siblings when a journal pointing to long-lost treasure sets them on an epic adventure with new friends, and leads them to reconnect with their Hawaiian heritage.

Stars: Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson, Owen Vaccaro, with Kelly Hu and Branscombe Richmond, Ke Huy Quan, Brad Kalilimoku, Chris Parnell, Marc Evan Jackson, Ricky Garc

See the Trailer:

FINDING ‘OHANA arrives on Netflix January 29, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “OUTSIDE THE WIRE”

Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris star in OUTSIDE THE WIRE. Check-out this brand-new Trailer for the

Synopsis:
In 2036, America serves as a peacekeeping force and human troops on both sides are supported by robot combatants called Gumps and drone pilots monitoring skirmishes from thousands of miles away. But after headstrong drone pilot Lieutenant Harp (Damson Idris) disobeys a direct order to intervene in a conflict, the Army deploys him to a military outpost to confront the human costs of his button-pushing. Harp’s expectations of guarding a fence are upended when his new commanding officer Captain Leo (Anthony Mackie) announces plans to infiltrate the demilitarized zone and apprehend Viktor Koval (Pilou Asbæk), a warlord who intends to launch a network of dormant nuclear weapons. Soon, Harp learns that his theoretical experience as a drone pilot means little out on the battlefield under enemy attack — especially after discovering that Leo is an A.I.-enhanced supersoldier whose strength, speed and demand for results promise to turn his real-world education into a trial by fire.

Cast: Anthony Mackie “Leo”, Damson Idris “Harp”, Enzo Cilenti “Miller”, Emily Beecham “Sofiya”, Michael Kelly “Eckhart”, and Pilou Asbæk “Victor Koval”.

See the Trailer:

OUTSIDE THE WIRE arrives on Netflix Friday, January 15, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Netflix)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN “SPELL”, “JUNGLELAND” AND “DREAMLAND”

Paramount Home Entertainment x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win copies of 2021 January releases SPELL, JUNGLELAND and DREAMLAND!

SPELL (Blu-ray out 1.12.21)

SYNOPSIS | While flying to his father’s funeral in rural Appalachia, an intense storm causes Marquis (Omari Hardwick) to lose control of the plane carrying him and his family. He awakens wounded, alone and trapped in Ms. Eloise’s (Loretta Devine) attic, who claims she can nurse him back to health with the Boogity, a Hoodoo figure she has made from his blood and skin. Unable to call for help, Marquis desperately tries to outwit and break free from her dark magic and save his family from a sinister ritual before the rise of the blood moon.

JUNGLELAND (DVD out 1.12.21)

SYNOPSIS | Stanley (Charlie Hunnam) and Lion (Jack O’Connell) are two brothers struggling to stay relevant in the underground world of bare-knuckle boxing. When Stanley fails to pay back a dangerous crime boss (Jonathan Majors), they’re forced to deliver an unexpected traveler as they journey across the country for a high stakes fighting tournament. While Stanley trains Lion for the fight of his life, a series of events threaten to tear the brothers apart, but their love for one another and belief in a better life keep them going in this gripping drama that proves family pulls no punches.

DREAMLAND (Blu-ray out 1.19.21)

SYNOPSIS | Two-time Academy Award® nominee* Margot Robbie (I, Tonya; Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) produces and stars alongside Finn Cole (“Peaky Blinders”) in director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte’s mesmerizing love story set amidst America’s struggle during the Great Depression. Eugene Evans (Cole) dreams of escaping his small Texas town when he discovers a wounded, fugitive bank robber (Robbie). Torn between claiming the bounty for her capture and his growing attraction to the seductive criminal, Eugene must make a decision that will forever affect the lives of everyone he’s ever loved. Travis Fimmel (Warcraft), Kerry Condon (Avengers: Infinity War), Darby Camp (“Big Little Lies”) and Lola Kirke (American Made) also star in this “beautifully shot coming-of-age story” (David Ehrlich, Indiewire)

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post over at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. In the comments there, please state which you are entering to win. You may enter for all three if you wish. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an additional chance. You must be following.

Courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment, enter for a chance to #win a copy of:

DREAMLAND
JUNGLELAND
SPELL

Details: https://t.co/UFAKBtbGeV pic.twitter.com/ivUnoephyz

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 5, 2021

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Home Entertainment)

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF “DON’T TELL A SOUL”

Jack Dylan Grazer (It, Shazam!) stars in DON’T TELL A SOUL! Mongrel Media x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win a Digital Download!

Synopsis:

Two teenage brothers, stealing money to help their sick mother, match wits with a troubled security guard stuck at the bottom of a forgotten well.

See the Trailer:

To enter to win, click “like” on this Post over at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet below for an additional chance. You must be following.

Enter for a chance to #win a Digital Download of DON'T TELL A SOUL starring Jack Dylan Grazer.https://t.co/CPg7z6Szr1 pic.twitter.com/DvmJgEo1U3

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) January 5, 2021

Rules and regulations here.

Mongrel Media release DON’T TELL A SOUL digitally and on-demand January 15, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: Mongrel Media)

#FIRSTLOOK: “LOCKED DOWN”

Hmm. We feel like some people actually went through this. A separation delayed by lockdown. This is a new Film set to premiere on HBO Max!

Synopsis:

Just as they decide to separate, Linda (Anne Hathaway) and Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor) find life has other plans when they are stuck at home in a mandatory lockdown. Co-habitation is proving to be a challenge, but fueled by poetry and copious amounts of wine, it will bring them closer together in the most surprising way.

See the Trailer:

LOCKED DOWN arrives on HBO Max January 14, 2021.

(Photo/video credit: HBO Max)

#CNY: YEAR OF THE OX HOROSCOPE 2021

Happy New Year! We hope your new year has started on a bright note. And if it’s any of any comfort, it’s unlikely the year could’ve gone worse than 2020.

The Chinese New Year arrives on Friday, February 12, 2021 and this year we celebrate the Year of the Ox. The Ox is hard-working and while the year ahead will see a lot of effort, testing all our abilities, there also should be a reward attached to the toil. It is sad the success experienced in money and career also spills over to love and family life.

If you are born in the Year of the Ox however, note that in Chinese Astrology should it happen to be your year this year, that’s known as Fan Tai Sui. This means that when it’s your own year we’re observing, this offends the God of Tai Sui and that spills over to affecting your relationships, work and health, so do be careful.

Some legends were born in the Year of the Ox, most notably President Obama, Margaret Thatcher, George Clooney, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Lady Diana, Walt Disney, XXXTentacion, Malala Yousafzai, Paul Newman, Morgan Freeman, Kylie Jenner, Peter Jackson, Jane Fonda, Camila Cabello, Angela Lansbury, Jim Carrey, Maisie Williams, Eddie Murphy, Bruno Mars and several more. If you were born in any of these years, you are in fine company: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021.

Those born under the Year of the Rat, Horse, Snake, Pig and Monkey are said to be in an alliance with the Ox, hence good fortunes will be coming your way this year.

If you don’t know your Chinese Horoscope sign, don’t worry, we’ve got you:

Rat
1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020 2032

Ox
1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021 2033

Tiger
1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022 2034

Rabbit
1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023 2035

Dragon
1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024 2036

Snake
1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025 2037

Horse
1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026 2038

Sheep
1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027 2039

Monkey
1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028

Rooster
1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029

Dog
1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030

Pig
1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031

In keeping with our tradition, we’re sharing some of our favourite Chinese Horoscopes with you to help ring in this new year!

THE CHINESE ZODIAC

This website gives you easy-to-understand horoscopes and also month by month forecasts what to expect. It also will let you know specific obstacles you will face and give you recommendations to work around them and how to optimize the positivity.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

This website is great in that it gives you a profile of the traits that define each horoscope sign and it seems pretty accurate. It also shows you the signs you are compatible/not compatible with. We enjoy also its Health and Lifestyle recommendations.

YOUR CHINESE ASTROLOGY

If you really don’t like waiting another year for a Horoscope, this website gives you weekly Chinese Horoscopes!

Wishing you all the best in fortunes and health in the Year of the Ox and that we get the year we all deserve somehow! While it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other and likely will be a while since we see anything that resembles our “old normal”, we hold hope that we will get there together!

Mr. Will x beanie