WandaVision gloriously mashes up the MCU and the golden age of sitcoms when it arrives on Disney+ January 15. The kick-off to Phase 4 sees Wanda and Vision trapped in an idyllic, black-and-white suburb setting with nosy neighbors like Agnes (Kathryn Hahn) – who may or may not be aware of what’s going on underneath.
Hahn spoke to Screen Rant about her role in the story, which has been kept mostly under wraps, and about which of TV’s dynamic duos she looked to for inspiration.
Marvel is notorious for its secrecy and avoiding spoilers at any cost. How different of an experience is that for you dealing with such tight story security?
Kathryn Hahn: I mean, I usually don't talk about my stuff anyway until it's out. But, yes, this was definitely a whole other level.
With so much of your character shrouded in mystery, what can you tell us about Agnes' his backstory and who she is?
Kathryn Hahn: I can tell you that she lives next door to Wanda and Vision, and that she becomes Wanda's confidante and friend. She kind of shows her the neighborhood; Wanda and Vision are new to this suburb of Westview, so she's kind of taken it in her mission to welcome them to the neighborhood.
She's the one that just kind of shows up and plops herself down on your couch without asking if she can come over. She gives so much advice, solicited or not, and she loves a good gossip session. She tries to help, whether she's needed or not. You kind of see their friendship through all the different genres, which as an actor who doesn't mind a wig, it's been really fun.
The chemistry between you and Elizabeth is amazing. What different TV pairings from the past did you study to help inform the vibe and tone between the two?
Kathryn Hahn: I mean, Lucy and Ethel, of course. So many there. Yeah, Lucy and Ethel, [Samantha] and her mom in Bewitched, any of the neighbors that would just come in Laverne and Shirley. All of them; every single one you could possibly think of.
If Agnes was stuck in a time period that we see in the show, what would be the most fitting for her?
Kathryn Hahn: I would say probably the 50s, because I think that she really loved that costume.
While WandaVision is the biggest TV show coming out, this isn't your first whirl with Marvel. You've also played Doc Ock in Into the Spider-Verse. We know that the sequel's underway, but can we expect to see you return?
Kathryn Hahn: I don't know. I have no idea.
What was your favorite era to shoot in?
Kathryn Hahn: Same thing. I would say the 50s, just because it was the first thing we did. We had just come off a rehearsal period, which was such a great way [to do it]. We really felt like we had all formed like a company of actors. And also because it was filmed in front of a live audience, which was just bananas. So fun.
WandaVision starts streaming on Disney+ on January 15, 2020.