Christina Ricci shares her thoughts about Jenna Ortega's Wednesday appearance in a conversation with the upcoming series lead. Barry Sonnenfeld made his feature-length directorial debut with 1991's The Addams Family and, after its unprecedented success, followed with Addams Family Values in 1993. The two films star Ricci as Wednesday Addams, Anjelica Huston as her mother, Morticia, Raul Julia as her father, Gomez, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, and Jimmy Workman as her brother, Pugsley.
Sonnenfeld's beloved adaptations of the classic TV series baked the ensemble cast into popular culture as the unshakable portrayals of the Addams Family. But two decades later, Tim Burton, who passed on directing the 1991 film, hopes to establish a unique version of the macabre Addams daughter in his Wednesday series for Netflix. The show follows Wednesday as a teenager attending the Nevermore Academy for outcasts while investigating strange local murders and navigating complex relationships with her family members. Burton's project explores new territory for Wednesday's character while attempting to retain some classic elements that Addams Family fans know and love, such as her deadpan humor and iconic look.
The actor behind the popular modern portrayal of the Addams Family's gothic daughter, Ricci, comments on Ortega's revamped Wednesday look in the upcoming Netflix series. Interview Magazine published a conversation between the two Wednesday actors, covering various topics, including the show's new approach to the character's classic appearance and Ricci's initial reactions upon seeing Ortega as Wednesday. Check out the quote below:
There are a lot of nice goth nods without it being over-the-top. When I saw pictures of you, I was like, “Oh, wow. It’s such a great, modern interpretation.” It’s true to the spirit of the character. I didn’t originate this character, so I’m always like, “She’s a cartoon and a TV show. It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s the same idea. We keep redoing the thing.” [...] And you wear pants. I was like, “Oh, my god. The pants were so good.” And you wear creepers.
How Netflix’s Wednesday Will Update The Addams Family Character
While Ricci plays a new character in the Wednesday series, she is best known for playing the young Addams daughter in Sonnenfeld's '90s film adaptations. She rarely went without Wednesday's signature black-and-white dress and pigtails in those projects, save for the rare costume change to play Pocahontas at Camp Chippewa. Therefore, it is unsurprising that Ricci was a little stunned to see the Ortega in the promotional Wednesday images sporting pants, a hoodie, and other clothes not customary for the Addams Family character. However, Ricci clearly understands that a modern take must adapt to its surroundings to be believable.
It should be refreshing for longtime Addams Family fans to read that Ricci accepts the modernized update to Wednesday's appearance. Her iconic look was a point of contention, with skeptics concerned about a new portrayal possibly lacking her signature attire or pigtails. Thankfully, the first look at Ortega's character put those fears to bed. Still, because Burton's Wednesday is essentially an eight-hour-long Addams Family movie that follows the character through her daily life, sticking Ortega in her stereotypical wardrobe would be impractical and unbelievable. With Ricci's blessing, Wednesday viewers will hopefully learn to appreciate the different sides of Ortega's revamped character when the show premieres in November.
Source: Interview Magazine