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from nzherald.co.nz - Entertainment

Bill Hammond, one of New Zealand's most influential artists, has died

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Roses at the ready: Season 2 of The Bachelorette NZ kicks off tonight

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Olivia Newton-John recalls first on-screen kiss with John Travolta

Olivia Newton-John, who played the lead role of Sandy in the 1978 musical film, Grease, has recalled her experience kissing John Travolta, who played Danny, on screen for the first time. The 72-year-old actress recalls that the...

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CS Interview: Writer/Director Sean Ellis on Werewolf Thriller Eight for Silver [Sundance]

CS Interview: Writer/Director Sean Ellis on werewolf thriller Eight for Silver [Sundance]

Ahead of the horror-thriller’s debut at the Sundance Film Festival, ComingSoon.net got the opportunity to chat with writer/director Sean Ellis (Anthropoid) to discuss his return to the genre with the exciting werewolf chiller Eight for Silver.

RELATED: Sundance 2021 Reviews: Judas and the Black Messiah, Passing & More!

ComingSoon.net: Eight for Silver is an absolute treat, it’s dark, it’s chilling, but it’s also your first time back in the horror genre in about 13 years, what was it that got you to come back to the genre? 

Sean Ellis: I don’t make decisions on genre, per se, normally it’s something other than that, although having said that when I did Anthropoid, after that I was offered a lot of World War II scripts and at that point the last thing I wanted to do was to make another WWII script. I think that normally I’m drawn towards the story and if it happens to be a certain genre that I’ve done before, like The Broken, then I guess you go, “Yeah, why not?” I mean, with The Broken, I got raked over the coals a bit with that one, but then again I learned a lot, you learn a lot more from your mistakes as a filmmaker than you do your successes. I’ve been very wary of making those same kinds of mistakes in the same way with every film that I’ve made since, especially with a horror film, and I think that was definitely one of the minefields I walked into which was to come up with something really original. So that was definitely the bridge of if you’re doing to do a horror film, make sure it’s something that people haven’t seen before.

CS: So how did you come up with the concept and the story for this film? I love it’s blend of a typical werewolf movie with Lovecraftian elements. 

SE: I think it was too big for me to say, “Oh I’m gonna reinvent the werewolf legend,” I didn’t know how to do that, I mean I could’ve said it but I wouldn’t have known how I would have done it. Even if I’m going to reinvent the werewolf legend, how do you do that? So what I did was I started to research the original Wolf Man and the fact that it was written by a Jewish writer and that the wolf was a metaphor for his experience as a Jewish person in Europe in the late ’30s and I started to think about how that metaphor for being persecuted for your religion at the time was very interesting. I thought what, in modern society, are we being persecuted for? I think we probably would prosecute ourselves in some respect, because I think we have major problems with addiction these days, whether it be drugs, or phones or a bad relationship or whatever and I like to think of the wolf as a metaphor for addition. When I started to think like that, I started to think that you become a slave to your addiction and they will mostly rule your life. When I started to think in those terms, I started to almost think about the design of what was happening, because that meant instead of changing into a wolf, you were becoming a prisoner to the wolf. I think once that element came into my mind, I started to get excited about the possibilities of where I could take this, so step by step, the concept and the sort of design of the story went forward and basically ended up where it is. It plays with some of the original mythology, but also I had fun spending time playing with that mythology in fact and fiction, I mean there’s biblical references, which are fact, and then there’s the silver bullet, which is fiction and mythological, so it was fun to sort of mix that stuff up, to sort of give the silver bullet some kind of history because we all know it’s harmful to the werewolf but not many of us know why, so that was fun to play with.

CS: You have a phenomenal roster with mostly European stars, but then you have Boyd playing British and he does very well with it, so what was it like building up your roster for the film? 

SE: Yeah, I mean, we started to speak to a few actors in the beginning just to sort of get feelers out there and I think at that point, Boyd had got hold of the script through his agent and he got a message to me saying that he loved the script. He’d seen Anthropoid and was wondering if we could have a call about the project, and so I did and I was impressed with Boyd’s work, because I’ve seen him in Narcos and I’ve seen him in Logan and felt he was a very interesting actor  and that he’s very chameleon like, where people don’t necessarily know his name, but they know his work and I think that’s a really interesting thing. Because like, when you say Boyd Holbrook, some people will say, “Uhhh?” and you say the blonde guy in Narcos and they go “Oh, yeah, he’s great!” You know, I think that’s really interesting and I’m a little bit like that, I feel that the people don’t necessarily know my name, but my films are more well known. So we thought about that and basically said, “Yeah, I guess the elephant in the room is the English accent.” He said, “Let me do taping for you and send it to you, but just know whatever you hear I’m going to be working on it for three months, so please make allowances.” But what he sent me was really good and I thought this is actually quite interesting. He had a calmness in his voice I felt was really right for the piece. He continued to work with a dialogue coach right up to shooting and even through shooting he would never drop the accent, even during lunch and stuff. He would just constantly be practicing it, whatever he was doing. Then right behind Boyd’s casting with the film, we had Alistair and Kelly, they slid straight in and they were both my first choices, so we were lucky to get that.

CS: This also marks the first time in a while that you also act as cinematographer alongside writer, director and producer, what was it like returning to that position alongside the other three? 

SE: I mean, it’s one job for me as a filmmaker, I’m lucky because I know about cameras and I know about lenses and I know that, like, because my background is photography and I was a photographer for many years before I became a director, it’s all second nature, achieving an image that you have in your mind by using a tool, whether it’s a brush or a camera, though my training is with a camera. So if I imagine something in my mind, I’m pretty clear how I got about making that a reality by using light and cameras and lenses, so yeah, for me it’s just one job. I mean, it’s obviously extra work in the sense that because I operate as well, there are days when I’ve got a 23 kilogram camera on my should for 9-10 hours a day and it’s physically demanding. On top of that, you’ve got to be completely focused not only on your actors, but also on if the light has changed and whether you need to open up your exposure a little bit because something’s just happened or you’re losing the lights. It is a little bit extra, but I think because I’ve been doing it for so long, it’s sort of quite second nature, but having said that I think I would have loved to work with a DP [laughs]. There are so many great DPs out there that I admire and I’d love to get them in and give them the space and time to create something beautiful. I think on this one it was also there was budgetary constraints, so it was just easier for us to have two less crew.

CS: So how do you feeling gearing up for the premiere at Sundance? 

SE: Because of the lockdown, we’ve never shown the film, so I’ve had a little bit of culture shock in the last few days where these phoners have actually been the first time I’ve really talked to people that haven’t worked on the film and who have seen it. It definitely feels like there’s a lot of positivity around what people are seeing and people seem excited about it. So I hope the audience and the buyers find the same thing, they see the same thing as you, as you sound excited about it, so I hope that sort of continues.

RELATED: CS Video: Bloody Hell Interview With Writer Robert Benjamin

In the late nineteenth century, brutal land baron Seamus Laurent slaughters a Roma clan, unleashing a curse on his family and village. In the days that follow, the townspeople are plagued by nightmares, Seamus’s son Edward goes missing, and a boy is found murdered. The locals suspect a wild animal, but visiting pathologist John McBride warns of a more sinister presence lurking in the woods.

Written and directed by Ellis, the cast for the film includes Alistair Petrie (Hellboy, Sex Education), Max Mackintosh (The Quiet Ones), Boyd Holbrook (Logan, The Fugitive), Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes, Yellowstone) and Roxane Duran (Mary Queen of Scots).

The post CS Interview: Writer/Director Sean Ellis on Werewolf Thriller Eight for Silver [Sundance] appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

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Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher agree to shoot commercial to get 'freedom' from their kids

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from nzherald.co.nz - Entertainment

The Chase Australia star Andrew O'Keefe arrested in Sydney, charged with domestic violence

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from nzherald.co.nz - Entertainment

British comedian Bill Bailey announced as host of TVNZ comedy panel show Patriot Games

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The Bachelorette: Whangārei lads firm friends despite vying for same woman

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Cause of death revealed for man who died after competing on Wipeout

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Meet the Kiwi teen dancer taking over TikTok and the streets of Auckland

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Sundance 2021 Reviews: Judas and the Black Messiah, Passing & More!

Sundance 2021 reviews: Judas and the Black Messiah, Passing & more!

The 2021 Sundance Film Festival has finally arrived and ComingSoon.net got the exciting opportunity to take part in the virtual iteration of the classic festival and watch some of the incredible films in its catalogue, from Robin Wright and Rebecca Hall’s directorial debuts Land and Passing to the biographical drama Judas and the Black Messiah. Check out our reviews for the films below!

RELATED: Nightstream Reviews: Dinner in America, Bloody Hell & More!

Knocking

• Directed by: Frieda Kempff; Written by: Emma Broström
• Starring: Cecilia Milocco, Krister Kern, Albin Grenholm, Ville Virtanen, Alexander Salzberger
• Rating: 5/10

Often times a psychological thriller with little-to-no explanations for the events of the story depicted is a smarter move as some ambiguity for the film breeds intriguing debates and compelling character work, but there’s still the occasional efforts in which this lack of exposition leaves a viewer underwhelmed and disinterested, such was the case for me with Knocking. Centered on a woman slowly losing her mind after moving into a new apartment and hearing a mysterious knocking sound from the walls, which no other tenant hears or is willing to believe her about, the film’s attempts at taking a pointed look at gaslighting and many countries’ incapacity to properly help those with a mental illness are certainly admirable, but by locking them in the psychological thriller genre they’re not really explored effectively or obvious enough for audiences to understand that’s part of the point of the film. Instead what we’re given is a mildly-tense-yet-ambling story that features a strong performance from Milocco and stylish direction from Kempff, but not much else in the way of a well-paced narrative or satisfying conclusion.

Luzzu

• Written & Directed by: Alex Camilleri
• Starring: Jesmark Scicluna, Michela Farrugia, David Scicluna
• Rating: 8.5/10

The story of a young family struggling as both must come to terms with their pride regarding their extended families, jobs rooted in tradition and temptations of a turn to crime is certainly a well-worn genre here in the States, but it’s one not often explored so richly and so uniquely as with Alex Camilleri’s Malta-set Luzzu. Centered on fisherman Jesmark as he seeks to find a way to provide for his wife and newborn baby while dealing with a leak in his boat and an increasingly problematic industry in the region, the film might follow the general formula of a slow turn to crime but rather than see him revel in it or suddenly become in the favor of all those around him, Camilleri keeps hammering Js down with realistic problems and moral hurdles and provides a nice slow burn to its story. In addition to its nice subversions of genre formula, the story does a fascinating job of exploring some very real-world issues of the European Union hurting local fishing industries rooted in family generations as well as the toll global warming is taking on the ecosystems of the region and local jobs, and with a proper minimal usage of Jon Natchez’ powerful score, it all culminates in a moving, gripping and often-heartbreakingly real tale.

RELATED: PG: Psycho Goreman Review: A Bloody, Clever & Hilarious ’90s Throwback

John and the Hole

• Directed by: Pascual Sisto; Written by: Nicolás Giacobone
• Starring: Charlie Shotwell, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Ehle, Taissa Farmiga
• Rating: 3/10

Evil children is a trope in the horror and thriller genre that has been explored in every aspect, from spawns of Satan to influenced by evil entities to just downright maniacal souls, but few have been quite as haunting to watch as the titular teen in John and the Hole, but whether that works in its favor or against it really lies in the preferences of the viewer. After drugging his family and dragging them into the bottom of an unfinished bunker, John casually goes about enjoying some freedom, including stealing money from an ATM using his parents’ debit card, telling lies to various adults regarding the whereabouts of everyone and inviting a friend over, all while bringing his family food scraps, bottles of water and garbage bags full of clothes. The tension and sense of dread permeating from this film is certainly handled expertly and Sisto’s directorial eye is quite artful, but the writing and the story really feels so bland and purposefully controversial that it doesn’t feel more than a poor attempt at trying to start a conversation regarding John’s actions. Is he a monster? Is he just odd? Is this part of some adolescent angst? No matter what the answer is, the way the film progresses and presents the character doesn’t feel like an intelligent or meaningful exploration of him, but rather a slow-burning experiment designed to torture the viewer and make them question what the point of any of John’s actions actually were, or if there even was one.

The post Sundance 2021 Reviews: Judas and the Black Messiah, Passing & More! appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

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Grammy-nominated musician Sophie Xeon falls to death in 'terrible accident'

Music star and Grammy-nominee Sophie Xeon has tragically passed away after falling to her death while watching a full moon in Greece. Her label has called the shocking incident a "terrible accident".The statement from Transgressive...

from nzherald.co.nz - Entertainment

Spy: Kiwi actors love being part of The Rock's younger years

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Spy: The Year of the Star Wellness Queens

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Spy: Mike Pero is The Apprentice CEO

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Man who died after competing on Wipeout's cause of death revealed

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Fans point out Kylie Jenner's transformation in KUWTK new trailer

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POLL RESULTS: Who Should Win in Godzilla vs. Kong?

BEGIN SLIDESHOW

POLL RESULTS: Who Should Win in Godzilla vs. Kong?

It’s been nearly a week since fans were gifted the epic Godzilla vs. Kong trailer and after asking our readers which titan they’d like to see in the latest installment of Legendary’s MonsterVerse, the results are in and with nearly 3000 votes tallied, fans definitely have shown their preference between the two. Check out the results below!

RELATED: CS Soapbox: Where Does the MonsterVerse Go After Godzilla vs Kong?

POLL: Who Should Win in Godzilla vs. Kong?

1. Godzilla (38%, 1122 votes)
2. They Team Up To Take Down a Bigger Bad (35%, 1054 votes)
3. Kong (21%, 638 votes)
4. Draw (3%, 91 votes)
5. They Both Die (2%, 61 votes)

With two wins for humanity under his belt and a longer-running overall franchise, it doesn’t come as much surprise that Godzilla is fans’ go-to for the fight between the titans, especially given the trailer is hinting that his seeming heel turn is not of his own volition but may be someone controlling the monster. What does come as a surprise is that the King of Skull Island does not come in second place but rather in third and that more fans would rather see him team up with Godzilla against a common enemy instead of outright defeating the King of the Monsters.

The epic action-adventure Godzilla vs. Kong will pit two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against one another — the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong — with humanity caught in the balance.

The film stars Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies, The Little Drummer Girl), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Rebecca Hall (Christine, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Widows), Shun Oguri (Gintama), Eiza González (Baby Driver), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), and Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2). Also starring in the highly-anticipated movie are Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street, Manchester by the Sea) and Demián Bichir (The Nun, The Hateful Eight).

The fourth installment in Warner Bros.’ Pictures and Legendary’s Monsterverse is directed by Adam Wingard from a script written by Oscar nominee Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean, Deja Vu, Shrek). The film is being produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod, and Brian Rogers, with Kenji Okuhira, Yoshimitsu Banno, Jon Jashni and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers. Jay Ashenfelter, Jen Conroy and Tamara Kent are co-producers.

The most recent film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, hit theaters in summer 2019. It ended with Godzilla taking his rightful place as the ruler of all Titans. Unfortunately, the movie was a financial disappointment, grossing only $385.9 million against a budget estimated to be as high as $200 million.

RELATED: An Exclusive Talk With Adam Wingard On Godzilla vs. Kong

Godzilla vs. Kong is set to arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on March 26, 2021.

What do you think of the Godzilla vs. Kong trailer? Let us know in the comments below!

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The post POLL RESULTS: Who Should Win in Godzilla vs. Kong? appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

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CS Video: WandaVision Interview With Head Writer/Producer Schaeffer

CS Video: WandaVision interview with head writer/producer Schaeffer

With the series underway and the mysteries abounding, ComingSoon.net got the exciting opportunity to chat with WandaVision head writer/producer Jac Schaeffer (Captain Marvel) to discuss her work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what audiences can expect in the coming weeks! Our interview can be viewed in the player below!

RELATED: WandaVision Episode 4: Clues, Predictions & Takeaways

WandaVision follows the story of Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany’s superhero characters Scarlet Witch and Vision. The series blends the style of classic sitcoms with the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living their ideal suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

Joining Olsen and Bettany are Kathryn Hahn as Agnes, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, who was introduced to audiences in Captain Marvel. Kat Dennings will reprise her role as Darcy from Thor and Thor: The Dark World, and Randall Park will reprise his role as Jimmy Woo from Ant-Man and The Wasp.

It has also been confirmed through previously released set photos that the series will be featuring the Sentient World Observation and Response Department or better known as S.W.O.R.D. which is a subdivision of S.H.I.E.L.D. that deals with alien threats that jeopardize world security.  However, it is still unclear whether prominent S.W.O.R.D. members such as S.W.O.R.D. leader Abigail Brand will also appear in the series or not but this would definitely mark the live-action debut of the department and the first Marvel property from the Fox-Disney merger that will be integrated into Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe.

RELATED: CS Video: WandaVision Interview With Director Matt Shakman

Featuring nine episodes, WandaVision is directed by Matt Shakman with Jac Schaeffer as head writer. The composer is Christophe Beck, and the theme (for certain episodes) is by Frozen’s Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, with the first four episodes currently available to stream on Disney+!

The post CS Video: WandaVision Interview With Head Writer/Producer Schaeffer appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

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MGM in Talks to Acquire Blumhouse & Darren Aronofsky’s Adrift

MGM in talks to acquire Blumhouse & Darren Aronofsky’s Adrift

Just 24 hours after it was announced that Requiem for a Dream co-writer/director Darren Aronofsky and star Jared Leto were set to partner with Blumhouse for the horror pic, it’s been revealed that MGM is in exclusive negotiations to acquire Adrift, though sources confirm no deal has closed just yet and details are currently unknown until it does, according to Deadline.

RELATED: Adrift: Leto & Aronofsky Reuniting on Jason Blum-Produced Project

Adrift is based on a short story by the same name written by Koji Suzuki, author of Ring, and published in the short story collection Dark Water. The story is set in the dead calm of the open sea, where a fishing boat discovers an abandoned yacht with a strange distress call. A deckhand agrees to take lone control of it while it’s towed into port, but he soon discovers why the rest of his more experienced crew members call it a “Ghost Ship.”

Pick up your copy of Dark Water here!

Aronofsky will co-write the script along with Luke Dawson. According to the outlet, Leto and producer Emma Ludbrook pursued the rights to the story for 10 years before bringing it to Blum and Aronofsky. The Golden Globe-nominated writer/director and the Oscar and Globe-winning star previously worked together on Aronofsky’s 2000 psychological drama Requiem for a Dream, which was a critical hit upon release and is credited with helping launch the filmmaker into the spotlight and is considered as one of Leto’s breakout roles alongside American Psycho and Fight Club.

RELATED: The Little Things Trailer: Denzel Washington Stars in New Crime Thriller

Blum will produce the project via his Blumhouse Productions banner along with Leto and Emma Ludbrook through Leto’s production company Paradox along with Carla Hacken.

The post MGM in Talks to Acquire Blumhouse & Darren Aronofsky’s Adrift appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

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Gotham PD’s Joe Barton Developing Cloverfield Sequel at Paramount

Gotham PD’s Joe Barton developing Cloverfield sequel at Paramount

It’s been 13 years since fans were first introduced to the world of Cloverfield from Drew Goddard (Bad Times at the El Royale), Matt Reeves (The Batman) and J.J. Abrams and after two non-direct follow-ups the franchise is going back to its roots with a proper direct sequel penned by Joe Barton, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

RELATED: Joe Barton Joins Matt Reeves’ Gotham PD Series as Showrunner

Plot details for the fourth installment in the Cloverfield franchise are currently being kept close to the chest but sources report that the film, which is being written by Barton, will not utilize the found footage format from the original film. News of a proper sequel comes nearly three years after Abrams confirmed during a panel at 2018 CinemaCon that a “true, dedicated” follow-up in the works to the 2008 hit.

Click here to purchase the original three-film collection!

The Star Wars sequel trilogy head will return to produce the film via his Bad Robot banner alongside the label’s Head of Film Hannah Minghella and Paramount Pictures, while original director Reeves and writer Goddard are not currently set to return in any capacity. In addition to the new project, Barton recently signed on to be showrunner for the Gotham Police Department series spun off from Reeves’ The Batman.

The original film centered around a group of 20-something New Yorkers celebrating one’s new job in Japan but are interrupted and must make their way out of the city as it comes under attack by an unknown large creature. Shot on a $25 million budget and utilizing a mysterious viral marketing campaign akin to The Blair Witch Project, the film was a large hit, grossing over $172 million at the global box office and receiving positive reviews for its cinéma vérité narrative, quick pacing and Reeves’ direction.

RELATED: Project Power Duo Partner With Paramount & Bruckheimer for Feature

Its success would spawn a franchise that included a prequel manga series and two follow-up films with 2016’s 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox, the latter of which offered some hints regarding their connections to the original film. The Damien Chazelle-co-written Lane was a box office hit and critical success, garnering higher reviews than its predecessor, but Paradox proved to be a disappointment in reviews, which Paramount seemed to predict after quietly selling it to Netflix and surprise dropping it following the 2018 Super Bowl.

(Photo Credit: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Grey Goose)

The post Gotham PD’s Joe Barton Developing Cloverfield Sequel at Paramount appeared first on ComingSoon.net.

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'She changed my life': Katy Perry on motherhood

Katy Perry says being a mother has encouraged her to be "ever more present".The 'Smile' singer welcomed her first child, daughter Daisy Dove Bloom, with fiance Orlando Bloom into the world in August, and she's opened up on how much...

from nzherald.co.nz - Entertainment

The Weeknd says his three Grammy wins 'mean nothing' to him now

The Weeknd, who previously blasted the organisation as "corrupt" after finding out his hugely successful album 'After Hours' had been snubbed for the 2021 ceremony - has opened up on the controversy and insisted it has tarnished his...

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The Best WandaVision Theories

The Best WandaVision Theories

ComingSoon.net has picked a handful of theories attempting to explain the what of WandaVision. Check out our selections below!

WARNING!!!: This piece contains SPOILERS for WandaVision! Proceed with caution!

What is this even about? You might have found yourself asking that question after watching WandaVision’s first 3 episodes on Disney+. Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, the show hasn’t explained how Vision is even alive. The first 2 episodes play like I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Bewitched ground up into a pinch of paprika—a homage to sitcoms of old. This isn’t necessarily what Marvel fans expected. Laugh tracks and twin beds are a huge departure from CGI and hardcore action.

RELATED: WandaVision Will Provide Closer Look at Wanda’s Past with Quicksilver

For those paying attention, many clues hint at the reality of Wanda Maximoff and Vision’s idyllic Westview. For example, every time Vision questions the nature of his life, the episode seems to rewind, leaving Vision clueless. The third episode, “Now in Color (a homage to The Brady Bunch),” ends with a discussion between Vision and his fearful neighbors, Wanda’s discovery of an outsider (who mentions Quicksilver’s death), and a shift in depiction which reveals the “real world” positioned directly outside of a dome-shaped forcefield. Dissecting Easter Eggs and nods to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe, we’ve picked some of the most plausible fan theories surrounding WandaVision’s central mystery and what might result from it. Thanks internet.

RELATED: WandaVision Fan Theories Discussed by Showrunner Jac Schaeffer

Are you enjoying the unexpected route WandaVision is taking? What do you think is happening? Is it all Scarlet Witch’s doing? Let us know in the comments below!

Evan Peters Will Be Playing Wanda and Vision’s Son (s)

Following Disney’s acquisition of Fox, fans have been wondering when and how the X-Men will be joining the MCU. With WandaVision set to have ties to both Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Captain Marvel 2, it’s hard to imagine the series not planting X-Men seeds. Especially considering that (in the comics) Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are Magneto’s children. 

Peters is reportedly showing up in WandaVision. He was rumored to be replacing Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Quicksilver in an alternate-reality/multiverse situation that could help introduce the X-Men. There’s no denying the fact that Peters’ Quicksilver was more memorable. However, a Multiverse reset would only complicate the MCU’s established storyline. Episode 3 presents an alternative theory: Peters will be playing Thomas Shepherd/Speed, Wanda’s speedster son from the comics. 

Wanda gives birth to twin sons, Billy and Tommy, after going through 9 months of pregnancy in a matter of days. Wanda nor Vision even knew they were having twins (which ties into a Mephisto theory we’ll get into later). That said, it won’t be surprising if Tommy and Billy’s accelerated aging continues outside of the womb, ultimately becoming members of the Young Avengers in future projects. Regardless, having Peters portray Tommy (or both him and Billy AKA Wiccan) makes sense given the work he’s done in the past. Speed could be portrayed with the same persona as Quicksilver from the X-Men movies—Marvel Studios’ utilizing an iconic aspect of the Fox franchise they now own. 

Westview Is a S.W.O.R.D. Prison

It’s become clear that the series features the Sentient World Observation and Response Department or better known as S.W.O.R.D. which is a subdivision of S.H.I.E.L.D. that deals with alien threats that jeopardize world security— the first Marvel property from the Fox-Disney merger that will be integrated into Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe. The organization’s logo has shown up on the beekeeper and the colorful toy helicopter in episode 2. At the end of episode 3, we get a look at Westview’s exterior (presumably being monitored by S.W.O.R.D.). 

Considering its resident’s nervousness, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call Westview a prison. The 2016 comic Avengers: Standoff features the idyllic town Pleasant Hill, reminiscent of Westview. Pleasant Hill is a warped-reality prison monitored by S.H.I.E.L.D, housing inmates like Graviton and Baron Zemo existing as residents with no memory of their past. This could explain the hidden (and seemingly nefarious) motives of some of Westview citizens. This also explains why a plethora of guards storm Geraldine when Wanda ejects her from the fantasy. If Westview is a prison then its inmates would be dangerous on the outside. 

One of WandaVision’s commercials also advertises “Strucker” watches, a clear reference to the Hydra scientist, Wolfgang von Strucker, who experimented on Wanda and her brother. If S.W.O.R.D. views Wanda as a threat or any remnant of Hydra exists within it (like with S.H.I.E.L.D.), Wanda could be the equivalent of a lab rat. That said, even if Wanda is vaguely aware of her circumstances (she has some control), she may have accepted her imprisonment/jeopardized the proceedings to live with a version of Vision. 

Westview’s Residents Are in on the Scam

Vision doesn’t remember being killed twice in Avengers: Infinity War. Wanda, despite having some control, appears to suffer from memory loss as well (even if it’s self-induced). At first, their neighbors seem just as clueless. In episode 3, it’s revealed that Agnes and Geraldine (who’s actually Monica Rambeau AKA the daughter of Carol Danvers’ BFF) know more than they let on. While one has infiltrated the reality, Agnes is determined to work against the former by painting “Geraldine” as an outsider who doesn’t belong. A major theory suggests Agnes is a version of Agatha Harkness, a witch and Wanda’s former mentor from the comics. Regardless, Agnes isn’t working alone. She and other residents like Mrs. Hart, who tells Mr. Hart to “stop it” in the pilot just like Agnes does to Herb in episode 3, don’t want Vision getting wise. So, either they benefit from the reality Wanda created or are working with/for whoever is manipulating Wanda. 

Vision Will Die (Again)

How is Vision alive? As previously stated, Vision clearly doesn’t even remember dying. Wanda, on the other hand, is determined to keep Vision from discovering the nature of his sitcom reality. Like Geraldine’s mention of Quicksilver’s death, Wanda wants nothing to do with her traumatic past. As Vision’s suspicions grow, Wanda mitigates his concerns by manipulating time. In episode 2, a S.W.O.R.D. beekeeper comes out of the sewers, something Wanda ignores before rewinding time and erasing the moment from Vision’s memory. Vision begins to notice more and more oddities: his next-door neighbor Herb hedge trimming through a brick wall and the family doctor abruptly canceling a Bermuda vacation—“Small towns, so hard to escape.”

Still, every time he mentions these things to Wanda, the episode resets from an earlier point in time. Whether Westview has been created by Wanda or someone/something else, it’s facade is fading, and Wanda is becoming unhinged by any mention of the outside world. With so many forces try concerned with an alternate reality, it’s only a matter of time before the dangers of its existence are revealed—something Vision will not be okay with. If his existence is tied to Westview, he’ll surely sacrifice himself for the greater good. It’s worth noting that Paul Bettany said he would love to work with Marvel again someday…

Aside From Wanda, Everyone in Westview Is Dead

Westview’s Vision might not even be alive, or at least alive in the way he once was. Much like how JARVIS’ consciousness hid online in Avengers: Age of Ultron, a Mind-Stone-Less Vision might have done the same post-Thanos. Wanda may have brought an incomplete/imperfect version of him back. If he’s just plain dead, the biggest indication of this comes from a scene in WandaVision’s trailers where Agnes tells Vision he is dead. 

Wanda may have used an abandoned town (or Camp Lehigh?) to build a new reality where Vision is alive—that’s not even in the realm of something we knew she was capable of (onscreen). Unfamiliar with the extent of her powers, instead of just bringing a version of Vision back, she might have populated the whole town with dead people. Dead people who know they’re dead but maintain the ruse to remain in a land of the living. In that case, Westview’s residents might all be people from Wanda’s past. Vision is just the only one Wanda can’t afford to lose again. 

Side note: Vision exhibits accelerated speed in episode 3. Did Wanda project other elements of those she’s lost onto Vision? 

Who Is Trying to Contact Wanda Through the Radio?

A two separate occasions, someone from the outside has tried to contact Wanda. In episode 2, a voice comes on the radio, “Who’s doing this to you Wanda?” and then the same voice is heard when that episode ends. Fans have speculated that this voice could be Steve Rogers or Pietro Maximoff but the more likely option is that it’s Ant-Man and the Wasp’s FBI Agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park), who’s set to appear in the show. Given Woo’s experience with superheroes, Woo probably left the FBI and joined S.W.O.R.D. Kat Dennings’ Darcy Lewis is also set to appear, so maybe she did the same. In which case, S.W.O.R.D. is officially on the side of good. 

Wanda Was/Is Pregnant With Vision’s Twins But Lost/Will Lose Them

If Wanda created her sitcom reality, it’s because of her grief. The House of M storyline from the comics follows Wanda experiencing so much loss that it fractures her mind, prompting her powers to create an alternate reality that supplants the Marvel universe. It might not merely be the loss of Vision that caused her to snap. It’s possible that Wanda was pregnant in real life and lost the twins. In the comics, Wanda wants children with Vision but the two are unable to conceive due to him being a synthezoid. So, Wanda unwittingly uses her powers to create Billy and Tommy from a part of Mephisto’s soul (there’s that name again). However, Billy and Tommy are just a physical manifestation of Wanda’s will. Ultimately, the pair are reabsorbed by Mephisto, making the villain whole. Agatha then erases Wanda’s memories of them. Even if Wanda didn’t do this before the events of WandaVision, the creation of her children in the show seem to mirror this (especially if Agnes is Agatha). 

Mephisto (Marvel’s Devil) Is the Big Bad

Piggybacking off the theory that Anges is Agatha, the alleged character could be working with the Marvel universe’s devil, Mephisto—who aims to steal Wanda’s magic/children. This explains Westview hosting a “for the children” fundraiser even though there don’t appear to be any other children around. Like the Biblical Lucifer, Mephisto manipulates (or damns) life on Earth by altering his appearance, making deals, and creating illusions. As previously mentioned, he manipulates Wanda into giving birth to twins which he then absorbs. It’s possible Mephisto is the one “doing this to [Wanda]” in WandaVision.

 A popular theory online is that Westview is acting as Mephisto’s “womb,” absorbing Wanda’s power so he can become whole. Ominous quotes like Dottie saying “the devil’s in the details” and Agnes responding “that’s not the only place he is” at the fundraiser also support this. That said, Dottie or Agnes’ absent husband, Ralph, might actually be Mephisto hiding in plain sight. Fans already speculated that Mephisto would be introduced in the MCU after seeing a stained-glass window depicting a red-horned devil in the Loki trailer. A big bad’s inclusion in WandaVision would be a perfect way to kick off Phase 4. 

Doctor Strange Will Help Wanda Escape Westview

Wanda is already confirmed to appear in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and it seems safe to say that the events of WandaVision could shape Wanda and Strange’s comic-book-esque dynamic for the MCU. Whether or not WandaVision’s antics open the much-hyped Multiverse for Spider-Man 3 and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness remains to be seen. However, Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) might be the only one powerful enough to aid/stop Wanda. Episode 3 has already referenced the Sorcerer Supreme when Vision calls Dr. Nielson “Mr. Doctor,” a nod to a Kaecilius quote from Doctor Strange. On top of this, the behind-the-scenes video Marvel released following the show’s first 2 episodes appeared to feature Strange’s silhouette behind the barrier separating Westview from the real world. 

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