WandaVision Was Heavily Inspired by Thor: Ragnarok

WandaVision was heavily inspired by 2017's Thor: Ragnarok. Both WandaVision and Thor: Ragnarok are notable deviations from the familiar MCU formula, taking risks with storytelling and visuals that completely defied fan expectations. Thor: Ragnarok definitely forged a different path for the typically serious thunder god Thor (Chris Hemsworth), in a colorful adventure that allowed Hemsworth to flex his comedic chops and ended with the unexpected destruction of Asgard. WandaVision is another Marvel first, with the series being the MCU's first foray into sitcom television wrapped in a mystery.

There are endless questions hovering over Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision's (Paul Bettany) charmed Westview life. What's causing the sitcom effect in a town that nobody on the outside seems to remember? At this point, all signs appear to lead to Wanda as the culprit, what with SWORD agent Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) exclaiming, "It's Wanda, it's all Wanda," after Wanda expelled Monica from Westview. WandaVision's creator and head writer Jac Schaeffer initially was concerned that WandaVision would not resonate with fans due to the show's risky concept.

Schaeffer revealed the Marvel movie that inspired her to take a risk. In an interview with IndieWire, Schaeffer revealed how watching Thor: Ragnarok blew her mind creatively. Check out what Schaeffer had to say about the inspiration below.

"Thor: Ragnarok. That was really the movie, for me, that broke my brain. I thought it was just so daring and so exciting. Smashing the mold, and taking all the colors and throwing them around...We’ve been very flattered that people think it’s [WandaVision] so original and so unique, and in my mind I’m like, ‘Well, there was Ragnarok and that was pretty crazy.'"

Schaeffer's own creative risk paid off. WandaVision has been well received by fans, and at one point was the MCU's highest rated show or movie on Rotten Tomatoes. It's great that Schaeffer drew inspiration from the Thor: Ragnarok but still came up with an innovative concept that is entirely different from the 2017 Marvel film. The show even managed to bring in Thor fan-favorite (although she wasn't in Thor: Ragnarok) Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) in a way that made sense for the plot of WandaVision and moved the story along.

The question is, what is going to happen next on WandaVision? Monica Rambeau is back in the real world, but Wanda appears to be more and more unwilling to leave her fantasy (if she even created it in the first place, of course.) An exciting new WandaVision mid-season trailer teased some of the epic action that's yet to come, with Wanda saying, "I don't know how any of this started!" and Vision trying to leave Westview. WandaVision was definitely a risk as a show concept, but it's great that Schaeffer and Marvel went ahead with a series that has been a fun guessing game for fans. Episode five premieres this Friday, February 5th, only on Disney+.

Next: WandaVision Borrows Thor's Trick To Explain MCU Magic Powers

Source: IndieWire