Marvel Studios released a number of color posters today to promote its new Wizardry game Wanda Vision spin-off series, Agatha has always. Let’s unpack them together.
First up is the return of Kathryn Hahn as Agatha. In a previous Entertainment Weekly piece, showrunner Jac Schaeffer stated the series would be getting “a little squirrelly” with the definition of a “witch,” at least in popular culture, and so here we have our lead performing in a Fleetwood Mac-inspired Rock Band. As Schaeffer admits, the influence of the 1960s and 1970s may not be “very obvious” in terms of horror themes, but Stevie Nicks certainly has that witch vibe. Also, “we’re in a ‘Season of the Witch’ kind of thing” – there’s a very, very, very likely chance that we’ll hear this song in the episode itself.
Next up is Aubrey Plaza as Leo, a “warrior witch” and member of Agatha’s coven. Surrounded by VHS tapes, cassette tapes and board games, this mockumentary horror poster from the 1980s is meant to evoke memories of horror movies such as Slumber Party Massacre and Friday the 13th. In fact, Schaefer has promised that an upcoming episode will have our cast “dressed up as ’80s summer campers and playing with Ouija boards in their bunks,” and this one fits the bill.
By the same token, Joe Rourke stars as “Teen”, who is widely speculated to be Billy Caplan/Billy Maximoff/Wiccan – a character from the comics who was reincarnated by the Scarlet Witch’s son . As before, the show continues the ’80s summer camp theme, adding an extra dash of spirit by dressing up like one of Jason Voorhees’ famous victims, Renee Jones ) as Sissy Baker shortly before her death. Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason is alive.
Patti LuPone plays Lilia Calderu, a “divination witch” dressed like Glinda from “The Witches.” The Wizard of Oz. Note that she is holding a tarot card, “The Tower,” a Major Arcana card that represents danger, crisis, higher education, liberation, and unforeseen change. Also note that there are eight swords on either side of her in the image. In tarot, the Eight of Swords represents negative thoughts and a victim mentality. We’ll see how this plays out over the course of the series.
Next up is Sasheer Zamata as Jennifer Kale, a “potions expert” with a long publishing history in comics. Debuted in Venture into fear #11 Back in 1972, Kale was a member of the Zhered-Na sect, which prophesied the destruction of Atlantis. Here, she appears to wake up in a morgue surrounded by circular lights. Neither is particularly witchy, but it does bring to mind medical horror movies like this coma and alien abduction thrillers like sky fire. Food for thought.
Next up is the “protective witch” played by Alice Ahn, Alice Wu-Gulliver, a newer character in the comics. Alice is the illegitimate child of a police detective and a basic guardian of Hong Kong, where she is regarded as the “hippie witch” of the 1960s. Note the zombies looming ominously behind her in the background.
Debra Jo Rupp, who plays Ms. Hart, is the final member of the main cast. The dressing style is meant to evoke the “coastal granny chic” of late 90s and early 00s romantic comedies, e.g. practical magic and something has to givewe see her reaching for a bottle of red wine from behind a crack in a broken window. Apparently, alcohol addiction can also be a witch.
In another new poster, Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha leans on a pair of disembodied lips to address The Rocky Horror ShowThe opening song “Science Fiction Double Film”. While there are absolutely no witches in that movie, this could be another hint that the alien orgy is going on in secret. Agatha has always.
Another poster appears to pay homage to Cabin in the Woods evil dead series. Do whatever you want.
Our final poster shows the main cast dangling from a pit of 22 upward-facing swords at the mercy of an unseen puppet master. In numerology, 22 represents personal growth, performance, inner peace and positive change, so I believe our hero will survive a series of “tests” and come out better on the other side…. ..right? We’ll find out together when Agatha has always It will premiere on Disney+ on September 18th.
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