Agatha | |
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Created by | Jac Schaeffer |
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Starring |
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Composer | Christophe Beck |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Cinematography |
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Original release | |
Network | Disney+ |
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Agatha is an upcoming American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics character Agatha Harkness. A spin-off from the series WandaVision (2021), it is planned as one of the television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios alongside 20th Television, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. Schaeffer serves as head writer and lead director.
Kathryn Hahn reprises her role as Agatha Harkness from WandaVision, with Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, Patti LuPone, Sasheer Zamata, Ali Ahn, Debra Jo Rupp, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley also starring. Development of the series had begun by October 2021, with Schaeffer and Hahn attached, and it was formally announced the next month. Schaeffer, Gandja Monteiro, and Rachel Goldberg were set as directors in early 2023 ahead of filming. A number of additional actors from WandaVision reprise their roles in Agatha, as do many of the production team, including many of the writers and the music team. Filming took place from mid-January to late May 2023 at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional filming in Los Angeles. The series was officially titled Agatha by March 2024, but was previously subtitled with House of Harkness, Coven of Chaos, and Darkhold Diaries at different times.
Agatha is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in late 2024, and will consist of nine episodes. It will be part of Phase Five of the MCU.
Agatha Harkness finds herself powerless after breaking out of her containment in Westview, New Jersey. [lower-alpha 1] She looks to some unlikely allies to join her on her quest to regain her former powers. [1]
Reprising their roles from WandaVision (2021) as Westview residents are Emma Caulfield Ford as Sarah Proctor, who played "Dottie Jones" in the WandaVision sitcom, [12] [10] David Payton as John Collins / "Herb", David Lengel as Sarah's husband Harold Proctor / "Phil Jones", Asif Ali as Abilash Tandon / "Norm", [13] and Amos Glick as a pizza delivery man cast as "Dennis". [13] [14] Also reprising their WandaVision roles are Kate Forbes as Agatha's mother, Evanora Harkness, [13] and Brian Brightman as the Eastview, New Jersey sheriff. [13] [15] Additionally, Maria Dizzia and Okwui Okpokwasili have been cast in undisclosed roles. [16] [11]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | TBA | Jac Schaeffer [1] | TBD | Late 2024[17] |
The series will consist of nine episodes. [18] Schaeffer and Gandja Monteiro directed multiple episodes of series, with Monteiro directing the finale. [11] [19] Rachel Goldberg also directed. [11]
In August 2019, at Disney's biennial convention D23, Kathryn Hahn was announced as cast in the role of Agnes, Wanda Maximoff and Vision's neighbor, in the Marvel Studios Disney+ television series WandaVision (2021). [20] [21] That series' seventh episode revealed that "Agnes" was actually Agatha Harkness, a character from the Marvel Comics. [22] In May 2021, WandaVision head writer Jac Schaeffer signed a three-year overall television deal with Marvel Studios and 20th Television to develop additional projects for the studios' Disney+ content. [23] Schaeffer included Harkness in several pitches for different projects, leading to her and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige pursuing a series centered on that character instead. [24] By October 2021, a "dark comedy" spin-off from WandaVision centered on Hahn as Harkness was in early development for Disney+ from Marvel Studios, with Schaeffer returning from WandaVision as writer and executive producer. [3] Hahn's involvement was part of a larger deal she signed with Marvel Studios to reprise her role in series and films. [25]
During the Disney+ Day event the following month, the series was officially announced as Agatha: House of Harkness. [2] It was renamed to Agatha: Coven of Chaos by July 2022. [26] Schaeffer was revealed to be directing episodes of the series in November, [27] and Gandja Monteiro was revealed as another director the following month. [28] They were both confirmed to be directing multiple episodes in January 2023 along with Rachel Goldberg, [11] [19] with Schaeffer directing the first episode and Monteiro directing the finale. [1] [19] The series was revealed to have been retitled once again in September, this time to Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. [17] Series actress Aubrey Plaza had previously posted a photo in May 2023 of a director's chair with that title, in a font based on the one used for the Disney film The Princess Diaries (2001). [29] Adam B. Vary at Variety reported that the multiple title changes were not caused by indecision from Marvel Studios and were instead indicating that the main character was "up to her old skulduggery", [30] and had the possibility "at the very least" to simply be titled Agatha; [31] a filing for the first episode with the United States Copyright Office and the official Disney+ website indicated the series' title to be Agatha. [32] [33] [34] Series actress Debra Jo Rupp described the series as the second season of WandaVision, comparing it to American Horror Story with how each season is a "whole new kind of a thing". [35] Marvel Studios' Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, and Brad Winderbaum also serve as executive producers. [36] [37] 20th Television also produces the series. [38] [ additional citation(s) needed ]
Peter Cameron, Cameron Squires, [39] Laura Donney, and Megan McDonnell worked on the series, [40] all returning from WandaVision, [39] [40] alongside Laura Monti, Giovanna Sarquis, and Jason Rostovsky. [41] McDonnell was a consulting producer, serving as the on-set writer. [42] Co-executive producer Mary Livanos said the chance to continue Agatha Harkness' story and to get to know the character further was an imperative for the creatives. [4] Winderbaum compared Agatha to Marvel Studios' Loki (2021–2023), which both feature antiheroes, for being different from their other series while exploring similar emotional depths of their title characters. [43]
Hahn was expected to reprise her role in the series with the reveal of its development in October 2021, [3] which was confirmed with the series' official announcement a month later. [2] Emma Caulfield Ford revealed in October 2022 that she would reprise her role as Sarah Proctor / "Dottie Jones" from WandaVision. [12] In November, Joe Locke, [44] Aubrey Plaza, [45] Ali Ahn, Maria Dizzia, [16] and Sasheer Zamata joined the cast. [8] Locke plays Billy Kaplan, [6] [ additional citation(s) needed ] the male lead of the series, which Deadline Hollywood described as a "gay teen with a dark sense of humor", [7] while Plaza plays Rio Vidal, a newly created character for the series and a villain role. [45] [1] Ahn plays the witch Alice, [8] [1] with Dizzia also reported to be portraying a witch, [8] and Zamata set for the recurring role of the sorceress Jennifer Kale. [8] [6] The following month, Patti LuPone joined the cast, [46] as the witch Lilia Calderu. [5] Miriam Margolyes turned down a role in the series after Marvel offered to pay her half of what she had asked for and because she did not want to film in Georgia. [34]
In January 2023, Debra Jo Rupp, David Payton, David Lengel, Asif Ali, Amos Glick, Brian Brightman, and Kate Forbes were revealed to be appearing in the series, reprising their respective roles from WandaVision as Sharon Davis / "Mrs. Hart", [9] [10] John Collins / "Herb", Harold Proctor / "Phil Jones", Abilash Tandon / "Norm", [11] [13] a pizza delivery man cast as "Dennis", [11] [13] [14] the Eastview, New Jersey sheriff, [11] [13] [15] and Agatha's mother Evanora Harkness. [11] [13] Miles Gutierrez-Riley was cast as Hulkling, [11] [6] [ additional citation(s) needed ] with Okwui Okpokwasili also cast in the series. [11]
Daniel Selon serves as the costume designer, after previously working on WandaVision (2021), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) as an assistant costume designer, [47] while John Collins serves as the production designer. [48]
Principal photography began on January 17, 2023, [49] [11] at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, [50] with Schaeffer, Monteiro, and Goldberg directing episodes of the series. [11] Caleb Heymann, [51] [ third-party source needed ] Jon Chema, [52] and Isiah Donté Lee served as cinematographers. [53] The series was filmed under the working title My Pretty. [50] Filming with Rupp also occurred in Los Angeles by February 2023, before moving to Atlanta for two months. [35] The start of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike in May 2023 was not expected to impact production of Agatha, with Marvel Studios reportedly planning to shoot what they could during principal photography and make any necessary writing adjustments during the series' already scheduled reshoots. [54] Filming wrapped by May 28. [55] Hahn said in January 2024 there were a few days left of reshoots to take place, [56] which were completed in one day in early February. [57]
In January 2023, Hahn hinted at the inclusion of songs in the series, much like the original songs featured in WandaVision such as "Agatha All Along". [58] In March, Christophe Beck revealed he would be composing the score for the series, after previously doing so for WandaVision and other MCU media. [59] The following month, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez were revealed to have written the songs for the series, returning from WandaVision. Hahn serves as the lead singer for some songs, with the other witch actors such as LuPone acting as background singers. [60]
A first-look at the series was included in the bonus features of the WandaVision physical media, which released in late November 2023. [4]
Agatha is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in late 2024 as a lead-up to Halloween, [33] [17] and will consist of nine episodes. [18] A filing for the first episode with the United States Copyright Office indicates an approximate release on September 19, 2024. [32] It was previously expected to debut as early as late 2023, [26] however, by February 2023, amid Disney and Marvel Studios re-evaluating their content output, Secret Invasion and the second season of Loki were believed to be the only "sure bets" to debut in 2023; [61] it was confirmed to be releasing in late 2024 in September 2023. [17] It will be part of Phase Five of the MCU. [26]
Agatha Harkness is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #94. Agatha Harkness is a powerful witch and one of the original witches from the Salem witch trials. The character debuted as the governess of Franklin Richards and as an ally of the Fantastic Four. She trained the Scarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff in the art of magic. She is the mother of the supervillain Nicholas Scratch. Agatha Harkness has also been a member of the Daughters of Liberty. Initially an elderly woman, she managed to become young again and increased her strength.
Kathryn Marie Hahn is an American actress and comedian. She began her career on television, starring as grief counselor Lily Lebowski in the NBC crime drama series Crossing Jordan (2001–2007). Hahn gained prominence appearing as a supporting actress in a number of comedy films, including How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004), Step Brothers (2008), The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009), Our Idiot Brother (2011), We're the Millers and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Glass Onion (2022).
Jennifer Kale is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Rich Buckler, the character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #11. Jennifer Kale is a sorceress who is part of the Cult of Zhered-Na. She has also been a member of the Legion of Night and the Midnight Sons at various points in her history.
Jacqueline Schaeffer is an American filmmaker best known for her 2009 feature film debut TiMER and for her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe creating the Disney+ television miniseries WandaVision and co-writing the initial story to the film Black Widow.
The Scarlet Witch is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The X-Men #4 in the Silver Age of Comic Books. Originally said to have the ability to alter probability, the Scarlet Witch has been depicted as a powerful sorceress since the 1980s and on occasion has become powerful enough to alter reality by tapping into greater energy sources.
Wanda Maximoff is a character primarily portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Wanda is initially depicted as a Sokovian refugee who, along with her twin brother Pietro, volunteers to be experimented on by Hydra. The Mind Stone amplifies her natural telekinetic and energy manipulation abilities, known as Chaos magic. Wanda initially comes into conflict with the Avengers but later joins them to defeat Ultron, becoming one of their most powerful members.
WandaVision is an American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It is the first television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is set after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019). It follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they live an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey, until their reality starts moving through different decades of sitcom homages and television tropes. Schaeffer served as head writer for the series, which was directed by Matt Shakman.
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Four features all the Marvel Studios productions released from 2021 through 2022. It is the first phase in the franchise to include television series, alongside television specials marketed as "Marvel Studios Special Presentations", with Marvel Studios developing several event series for the streaming service Disney+ in addition to the feature films that it was already set to produce. Animation in the phase was produced by Marvel Studios Animation. Phase Four began with the series WandaVision, which premiered in January 2021, while the first theatrical film in this phase is Black Widow, which was released in July 2021 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The phase concluded with the television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in November 2022. The release schedule of Phase Four was changed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Feige produced every film and executive produced every series and special in this phase, alongside producers Jonathan Schwartz for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Nate Moore for Eternals and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Amy Pascal for Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Brad Winderbaum for Thor: Love and Thunder.
Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Five features all of the Marvel Studios productions set to be released starting from 2023 to mid-2025, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributing the films, while the series release on Disney+. Animation in the phase was produced by Marvel Studios Animation. The first film in the phase is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which was released in February 2023, while the first series in the phase, Secret Invasion, premiered in June 2023. The release schedule of Phase Five was changed several times due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Kevin Feige produces every film and serves as executive producer of every series in this phase, alongside producers Stephen Broussard for Quantumania; Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and Lauren Shuler Donner for Deadpool & Wolverine; and Nate Moore and Malcolm Spellman for Captain America: Brave New World.
"Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience" is the first episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the newlywed couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Jac Schaeffer and directed by Matt Shakman.
"Don't Touch That Dial" is the second episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple as they try to conceal their powers while living an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Gretchen Enders and directed by Matt Shakman.
"We Interrupt This Program" is the fourth episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows an investigation of the idyllic sitcom life that Maximoff and Vision are living in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Bobak Esfarjani and Megan McDonnell, and directed by Matt Shakman.
"Breaking the Fourth Wall" is the seventh episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows the couple inside the town of Westview, New Jersey, as their idyllic suburban life begins to unravel. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Cameron Squires and directed by Matt Shakman.
"Agatha All Along", also known as "It Was ______ All Along", is an original song from the Marvel Studios Disney+ miniseries WandaVision. Written by the series' theme song composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for the seventh episode, "Breaking the Fourth Wall", the song was performed by star Kathryn Hahn, with Lopez, Eric Bradley, Greg Whipple, Jasper Randall, and Gerald White serving as backup singers. The song drew inspiration from the theme songs from The Munsters and The Addams Family.
"Previously On" is the eighth episode of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows Maximoff and Agatha Harkness as they explore Maximoff's past to see what led her to create an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by Laura Donney and directed by Matt Shakman.
"The Series Finale" is the ninth episode and series finale of the American television miniseries WandaVision, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It follows Wanda as she tries to protect the idyllic suburban life and family that she created in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Jac Schaeffer and directed by Matt Shakman.
Joseph William Locke is a Manx actor. He is known for his lead role as high school student Charlie Spring in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper (2022–present), for which he received a nomination for the inaugural Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performance.