WandaVision's Agatha Harkness Costume Had a Complex Cooling System

WandaVision star Kathryn Hahn reveals she had a complex cooling system underneath her iconic Agatha Harkness costume. The Disney+ Marvel series caught up with Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch in the wake of Avengers: Endgame. In the series, she takes a town hostage with her magic powers and creates a perfect world based on TV sitcoms in which she's happily married to the deceased Vision. Agatha poses as friendly neighbor Agnes for much of the series but eventually reveals herself to be the villain, observing Wanda to mimic her great power. WandaVision enjoyed widespread critical acclaim and popularity as it brought the quality of the MCU to the small screen.

Hahn's performance as Agatha was no small part of the appeal. She was an engine of comedy as the person who appeared to be the most eager participant in Wanda's fantasy – the wacky neighbor of her world. Fans took to her immediately and her hammy sensibilities birthed a plethora of Agnes memes, chief among them her cartoonish wink. Hahn displayed an impressive range with an about-face as a sinister villain overflowing with ancient dark magic. Though she is defeated and subdued by Wanda in the end, it's certainly not the last we've seen of Agatha Harkness.

In an interview with Insider, Hahn explained the cooling system built into her costume during filming. As they shot in the height of summer in California during the rampant wildfires, hot is likely an understatement. Hahn wore a special suit underneath her heavy, witchy attire with tubes filled with cold water fitted to it. Though she initially refused to put on another layer, she eventually relented and admits that "there was no way I could have done it without it." Read her full quote below:

"It was very hot. So I had to wear a cooling suit under my costume, which is something that I had never heard of before, but it's like tubes of cold water. Between takes my amazing costume assistant Beth would squeeze coils of cold water underneath my costume.

"There was no way I could have done it without it — it was imperative. Apparently a lot of the Marvel dudes wear it as well, so that made me feel a lot better, but yeah there was no way I could have done it without it."

Wandavision Agatha Harkness scarlet witch threat

Agatha's costume was another slam dunk with fans who appreciated the faithful costume recreation of Agatha's comic look. As Agatha is typically portrayed as a frail old woman with sunken eyes and stark white hair, Hahn resembles her very little physically, so it's a good thing her outfit is recognizable. With all the layers she had to have on, the cooling suit was certainly necessary to make it possible. As other Marvel big shots are using the same suits, they sound like a very pleasurable invention. So long as there was a Beth to help out at all times, I doubt anyone suffering through the California heat would turn one down.

Hahn has undoubtedly solidified Agatha's place in the MCU beyond WandaVision. She's received resounding professional and pop culture endorsements. Most impressively, Hahn's children have decided she's cool now. Her performative flair, awesome powers, and delight in such villainy as taking Wanda's children away have developed a strong persona and a frightening force that will continue to cause trouble throughout Phase 4.

More: What's Next For Agatha Harkness After WandaVision?

Source: Insider