WANDAVISION Star Paul Bettany Reveals Which Comics Were Pitched To Him As The Show's Inspiration

In a new interview, WandaVision star Paul Bettany has revealed which comics were pitched to him as the show's inspiration, but do they offer us any clues about what to expect from the Disney+ series?

By JoshWilding - Jan 18, 2021 02:01 AM EST

Filed Under: WandaVision

The first two episodes of WandaVision left us with a lot of questions, and it's clear Marvel Studios wasn't exaggerating when they promised the Disney+ series would be unlike any we've seen before.

Now, in a new interview, star Paul Bettany has reflected on how the show was pitched to him, revealing the specific comic book storylines he was told would serve as a basis for WandaVision. However, the actor first recalled thinking he was about to be given the boot from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"I went in and [Marvel Studios Co-President] Louis D'Esposito and Kevin Feige were there and I didn't want anybody to feel uncomfortable so I lead with, 'Look, I totally get it. It's been great. I've had a great run, guys,'" he explains. "They were like, 'Wait, are you quitting?' And I went, 'No, aren't you firing me?' They said, 'No, we're going to pitch you a TV show.' So I went, 'Okay, I'm in!'"

"Then we talked about two comic book stories that I really love: House of M and The Visions [sic], which is a story about Vision trying to build a family in suburbia, and it was sort of a mash-up between them, and also with a sort of loving look at American sitcoms throughout the American century," Bettany continued, dropping a potentially noteworthy reveal. "I was like, 'I'm in!'"

In The Vision, the android builds a family and tries to live a normal suburban life, and that's clearly inspired the idyllic setting he and the Scarlet Witch find themselves calling home in WandaVision.

As for House of M, that story saw Wanda Maximoff create a new reality around herself after having a mental breakdown. Could the death of Vision in Avengers: Infinity War have caused something similar to happen? It would make sense that Wanda's pulling the strings in Westview, but we'll see how the story unfolds.

Click on the "Next" button below to check out 10
signs in WandaVision that all is not quite as it seems!

10. The Stark Industries Toaster

The first WandaVision commercial break reveals that Stark Industries is...in the business of making toasters? It's a weird one, and even stranger is how the light on the front of this device is flashing red in an episode which otherwise takes place entirely in black and white.

There's something strange about that light, and even the reaction of the man and woman in the commercial seems off (like they're trying their best to ignore it).

Could it be that this was mean to be sending a signal of some sort? That's one possibility, though the mention of Stark Industries is definitely intriguing; remember, Wanda and Pietro's home in Sokovia was bombed by Stark Industries weapons, while Vision's links to Tony Stark - he was once J.A.R.V.I.S., and Iron Man even helped create him - are equally noteworthy.

9. Mr. Hart Chokes

During Wanda and Vision's dinner party, Mr. Hart gets a little too forceful in questioning Wanda and Vision, and as the show's score goes from light and breezy to surprisingly ominous, something weird happens.

He starts choking, while his wife hysterically goes from chastising her husband to saying "stop it" it in an almost frantic manner at Wanda. She tells Vision to save Mr. Hart, and what does he pull from his boss's throat? The chocolate covered strawberry Wanda made for their date night.

That's definitely more than a little sinister, right?

8. Wanda And Vision Don't Remember Their Past Lives

Something that becomes clear quite quickly in this episode is that neither Wanda nor Vision remember their past lives. There's no mention of how the android is back among the living, while it doesn't even seem like the two heroes remember how they ended up in Westview in the first place.

Amnesia appears to be a recurring theme in the first two episodes of WandaVision, with hints that the town's residents remember something about who they really are, but can't quite manage to recall it.

There are definitely signs that Wanda might know what's going on (we'll get to that), and while that's not a guarantee she's the one pulling the strings here, she could be the one who has created this "happy" life.

7. S.W.O.R.D. Is Watching

The first episode of WandaVision ends with a huge tease as we see that a S.W.O.R.D. agent has been watching this sitcom right along with us. They're taking notes, and seeing Wanda and Vision's story play out on a monitor. Are they the ones doing this to the two Avengers? We don't think so.

Instead, it seems far more likely that they were the ones to send Wanda - and possibly a resurrected Vision - in to see what was going on in Westview, and she's just caught up in the whole thing.

Another possibility is that Vision is, in fact, being manipulated by Ultron, and he's the one creating this illusion. It's really hard to say, but the presence of S.W.O.R.D. factors even more heavily into episode two...

6. The Red Helicopter

Near the start of WandaVision's second episode, Wanda heads outside and finds a red helicopter in the bushes. Again, this is noteworthy because it's the only colour in the black and white scene.

The toy helicopter has the S.W.O.R.D. logo on the side, a possible sign that Wanda is at least trying to remember what she's doing in Westview...unless they sent it in there! After all, it may very well have been a drone which, upon hitting the "1960s," was transformed into a toy from that era.

Either way, this is definitely one of the show's most intriguing moments (well, so far, anyway).

5. "The Devil's In The Details"

When Wanda meets with the women organising the talent show, she encounters Geraldine (Teyonah Parris) and has a very interesting exchange with nosy neighbour, Agnes.

After Dottie says that "the devil's in the details" when it comes to putting the event together, Agnes turns to Wanda and says, "that's not the only place he is." That's kind of an odd comment to come out with, eh? If you're at all familiar with the Scarlet Witch's comic book story, then you'll know all about the history she has with Mephisto. This could very well be a nod to that.

Someone like Mephisto using Wanda to get his hands on her children makes sense, and he's certainly powerful enough to have created a reality like this one to manipulate the hero.

4. "For The Children"

What's made us jump to conclusions about Mephisto?

Well, there's something just a little off about the way people keep saying that what they're doing is "for the children." It quickly starts feeling like a creepy chant, so what if everyone in Westview is going through the motions of these sitcoms...for the children? The way the entire town joins in with that chanting during the talent show is also weird, and we get serious Hot Fuzz vibes.

By the end of the episode, Wanda is pregnant, so the plan worked (if it was one), and Mephisto might just be one step closer to getting his hands on the kids we know one day become Speed and Wiccan.

3. "Who's Doing This To You Wanda?"

Helping Dottie clean up after the aforementioned meeting, her and Wanda's conversation takes a dark turn when the woman starts questioning the Avenger. While the Scarlet Witch - who has been snapped out of her sitcom "trance" - calmly assures her friend that she means her now harm, Dottie makes it clear she doesn't believe her and soon starts questioning who she is.

With that, the radio stops playing music, and a voice starts emanating from it instead.

It sounds a lot like Agent Woo from Ant-Man and The Wasp, and he can be heard asking, "Wanda? Who's doing this to you Wanda?" That likely means S.W.O.R.D. isn't pulling the strings, and seemingly confirms that they're under the impression that these sitcoms are being inflicted on her.

2. Hail HYDRA

We've had a nod to Stark Industries in those commercials, so it only makes sense that HYDRA also gets a mention. In a commercial for Strucker watches, the villainous organisation's familiar logo can be seen on one of the time pieces. So, what's going on here?

Remember, it was HYDRA who unlocked the abilities within the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver with the Mind Stone. That links Wanda to them in a big way, but they can't be involved here too, surely?

This feels like a blatant red herring, and HYDRA looking to get their hands on Wanda again - and her children - would be somewhat underwhelming given the many other possibilities. Then again, Westview being made up of HYDRA operatives might be more logical an answer than the devil!

1. The Beekeeper/Time Rewind

This was the show's nuttiest moment in those first two episodes, and one we're definitely struggling to explain. As Vision and a now pregnant Wanda head outside the house, a man in a beekeeper suit emerges from the sewers. He's surrounded by bees, and the S.W.O.R.D. logo can be seen on his back.

Has he somehow breached the defences of Westview? If so, why would bees be protecting the town?

It's really freaking weird, but just as strange is Wanda's declaration of "no!" before time is literally rewound, and her conversation with Vision plays out without that interruption. After seeing that, we can't help but again wonder if it's Wanda who is in control - to some extent - of what's happening in this town.

SCARLET WITCH Rumored Update Reveals When We Could See Elizabeth Olsen-Led Movie In Theaters

Recommended For You:

WANDAVISION Exclusive Interview: Set Decorator Kathryn Orlando On Differences From Her Other Marvel Titles

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

17 Comments

Blergh - 1/18/2021, 3:02 AM

I'm absolutely happy that Bettany gets to stay a little longer and I desperately hope that he gets to stay for a LOOOONG time to come. Vision is by far my favourite MCU hero and Bettany is the longest running cast-member of the MCU that is currently still active.

Hope Vision gets ressurected in WandaVision or DS 2

DeadClunge - 1/18/2021, 4:20 AM

Hold onto Paul as long as you can marvel, he's a great actor. Loved him in Gangster no 1 & like him a lot as vision (100% the best thing about AOU).

AC1 - 1/18/2021, 6:12 AM

I don't want death to become a meaningless, fixable thing in the MCU like it is in the comics, but I really hope Paul sticks around and they bring Vision back properly after this. It makes perfect sense for him to be the exception, given that he's an android meaning it'd be very believable for him to be rebuilt/repaired.

MrCamw1 - 1/18/2021, 7:46 AM

@AC1 - yeah like you said I give Robots an exception.

AC1 - 1/18/2021, 9:44 AM

@MrCamw1 - Definitely. Would be cool to see Ultron come back too but seems far less likely.

As for bringing Vision back, I think his and Wanda's connection via the Mind Stone gives them a perfect way of bringing him back. Maybe Wanda could somehow restore his mind using her Mind Stone derived mental manipulation powers. Almost as if she has a kind of a 'backup' of his personality stored within her own mind (and maybe that's The Vision we're seeing in the show, if everything's currently happening inside her head as it would appear).

Of course that doesn't address his body needing to be repaired, but if Dr Cho and Ultron could make him with a little bit of Vibranium and her synthetic tissue stuff, then imagine what Shuri and Wakanda's scientists could do with all the Vibranium they could ever want or need and generations of insider knowledge.

MrDandy - 1/18/2021, 6:32 AM

We kind of figured those were the two main inspirations..

LoganMjolnir - 1/18/2021, 7:12 AM

Paul Bettany is just great in Wandavision (Elizabeth as well). Glad he had a chance to show his acting skills.

Related Headlines

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

AGATHA Star Kathryn Hahn Says "People Are Going To Be Surprised" By WANDAVISION Spin-Off

MarkCassidy

Feb 26, 2024 10:02 AM

WandaVision

SCARLET WITCH Rumored Update Reveals When We Could See Elizabeth Olsen-Led Movie In Theaters

JoshWilding

Feb 19, 2024 11:02 AM

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

AGATHA: DARKHOLD DIARIES Rumor May Reveal New Details About Evan Peters' Return As Ralph Bohner

JoshWilding

Jan 07, 2024 02:01 PM

Related Headlines

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

AGATHA Star Kathryn Hahn Says "People Are Going To Be Surprised" By WANDAVISION Spin-Off

MarkCassidy

Feb 26, 2024 10:02 AM

WandaVision

SCARLET WITCH Rumored Update Reveals When We Could See Elizabeth Olsen-Led Movie In Theaters

JoshWilding

Feb 19, 2024 11:02 AM

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

AGATHA: DARKHOLD DIARIES Rumor May Reveal New Details About Evan Peters' Return As Ralph Bohner

JoshWilding

Jan 07, 2024 02:01 PM

WandaVision

WANDAVISION Exclusive Interview: Set Decorator Kathryn Orlando On Differences From Her Other Marvel Titles

LiteraryJoe

Nov 30, 2023 06:11 PM

WandaVision

WANDAVISION Gag Reel Features Sitcom Mishaps And Paul Bettany's Vision Minus The VFX

JoshWilding

Nov 29, 2023 06:11 AM

SCARLET WITCH Movie Rumored To Be In The Works; Updates On VISION QUEST, WICCAN, And More

WandaVision

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rumored New Details About [SPOILER], [SPOILER], And [SPOILER]'s Roles Revealed

JoshWilding

24 mins ago

Marvel Comics

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4 Sees An Unexpected Character Deliver Classic "Great Power" Line - SPOILERS

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Latest Headlines

Sci-Fi

ATLAS: Jennifer Lopez Learns To "Trust A.I." In Full Trailer For Netflix's Sci-Fi Thriller

MarkCassidy

11 mins ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rumored New Details About [SPOILER], [SPOILER], And [SPOILER]'s Roles Revealed

JoshWilding

24 mins ago

Marvel Comics

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4 Sees An Unexpected Character Deliver Classic "Great Power" Line - SPOILERS

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

The Batman

THE BATMAN Star Zoë Kravitz Makes Her Directorial Debut With BLINK TWICE - Check Out The First Trailer

MarkCassidy

2 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: New Statues And Standee Offer Another Look At Wade Wilson And Logan's Costumes

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

X-MEN Star Famke Janssen Backtracks On DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Claims: "You Never Know..."

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Hot Headlines

269 comments

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Official Trailer Features Ultimate Team-Up & Promises The Wildest MCU Movie Of All-Time!

RohanPatel

1 day ago EST

157 comments

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

JoshWilding

17 hours ago EST

86 comments

Former X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Show Will Address Mr. Sinister's Racism

MarkCassidy

18 hours ago EST

81 comments

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Every Major Marvel Cameo In The New Trailer - Possible SPOILERS

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

65 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

X-MEN '97 Finally Reveals Its True Villain In Bright Eyes As We Get A Few Shocking Returns - SPOILERS

More Cartoons & Animated ►

GTA 5 Voice Actor Reveals Plans For Agent Trevor DLC Before Rockstar Apparently Scrapped It

More Anime & Manga ►

BLINK TWICE: Channing Tatum Invites You To Pussy Island In First Trailer For Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut

More Horror ►

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Mask Designer Eddie Yang; Dev Patel Film Now Available On Digital HD

More Action Movies & TV ►

Finn Balor Has Reportedly Signed Big Money Deal To Remain In WWE Despite Interest From AEW

More Pro Wrestling ►

APPLE TV+'s NEUROMANCER Casts Callum Turner As Series Lead Case

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

WANDAVISION Star Paul Bettany Reveals Which Comics Were Pitched To Him As The Show's Inspiration

In a new interview, WandaVision star Paul Bettany has revealed which comics were pitched to him as the show's inspiration, but do they offer us any clues about what to expect from the Disney+ series?

10. The Stark Industries Toaster

9. Mr. Hart Chokes

8. Wanda And Vision Don't Remember Their Past Lives

7. S.W.O.R.D. Is Watching

6. The Red Helicopter

5. "The Devil's In The Details"

4. "For The Children"

3. "Who's Doing This To You Wanda?"

2. Hail HYDRA

1. The Beekeeper/Time Rewind

SCARLET WITCH Rumored Update Reveals When We Could See Elizabeth Olsen-Led Movie In Theaters

WANDAVISION Exclusive Interview: Set Decorator Kathryn Orlando On Differences From Her Other Marvel Titles

AGATHA Star Kathryn Hahn Says "People Are Going To Be Surprised" By WANDAVISION Spin-Off

SCARLET WITCH Rumored Update Reveals When We Could See Elizabeth Olsen-Led Movie In Theaters

AGATHA: DARKHOLD DIARIES Rumor May Reveal New Details About Evan Peters' Return As Ralph Bohner

AGATHA Star Kathryn Hahn Says "People Are Going To Be Surprised" By WANDAVISION Spin-Off

SCARLET WITCH Rumored Update Reveals When We Could See Elizabeth Olsen-Led Movie In Theaters

AGATHA: DARKHOLD DIARIES Rumor May Reveal New Details About Evan Peters' Return As Ralph Bohner

WANDAVISION Exclusive Interview: Set Decorator Kathryn Orlando On Differences From Her Other Marvel Titles

WANDAVISION Gag Reel Features Sitcom Mishaps And Paul Bettany's Vision Minus The VFX

SCARLET WITCH Movie Rumored To Be In The Works; Updates On VISION QUEST, WICCAN, And More

Popular Headlines

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Every Major Marvel Cameo In The New Trailer - Possible SPOILERS

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rob Liefeld Responds To Trailer's Shot At His Apparent Inability To Draw Feet

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Rumored To Feature An Appearance From [SPOILER] As [SPOILER]

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: 7 Biggest Easter Eggs, Reveals, And Spoilers In The New Trailer

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: What Happened That Led To Logan "[Letting] Down His Entire World"?

ATLAS: Jennifer Lopez Learns To "Trust A.I." In Full Trailer For Netflix's Sci-Fi Thriller

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rumored New Details About [SPOILER], [SPOILER], And [SPOILER]'s Roles Revealed

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4 Sees An Unexpected Character Deliver Classic "Great Power" Line - SPOILERS

ATLAS: Jennifer Lopez Learns To "Trust A.I." In Full Trailer For Netflix's Sci-Fi Thriller

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Rumored New Details About [SPOILER], [SPOILER], And [SPOILER]'s Roles Revealed

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #4 Sees An Unexpected Character Deliver Classic "Great Power" Line - SPOILERS

THE BATMAN Star Zoë Kravitz Makes Her Directorial Debut With BLINK TWICE - Check Out The First Trailer

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: New Statues And Standee Offer Another Look At Wade Wilson And Logan's Costumes

X-MEN Star Famke Janssen Backtracks On DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Claims: "You Never Know..."

Hot Headlines

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Official Trailer Features Ultimate Team-Up & Promises The Wildest MCU Movie Of All-Time!

MAN OF STEEL Director Zack Snyder Says Superman Would Be "Fake" If He Hadn't Killed General Zod

Former X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Show Will Address Mr. Sinister's Racism

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Every Major Marvel Cameo In The New Trailer - Possible SPOILERS

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: 7 Biggest Easter Eggs, Reveals, And Spoilers In The New Trailer

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

APPLE TV+'s NEUROMANCER Casts Callum Turner As Series Lead Case

DUNE: PART TWO Director Denis Villeneuve Breaks Down The Sequel's Ending And Teases MESSIAH Plans - SPOILERS

Jennifer Lopez Battle An A.I. Simu Liu In New Trailer For Netflix's ATLAS

REBEL MOON: Zack Snyder Says Director's Cuts Are "More Like A Parallel Universe Than An Extended Version"

Daisy Ridley Teases The Different STAR WARS Film That Will Hopefully Be A "New Adventure"

Zack Snyder's Animated Norse Mythology Series TWILIGHT OF THE GODS Will Be Released This Fall

Cartoons & Animated Features

X-MEN '97 Finally Reveals Its True Villain In "Bright Eyes" As We Get A Few Shocking Returns - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97: "Bright Eyes" Unleashes Rogue And Features TWO Huge Marvel Universe Cameos - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97: Rogue Is Out For Revenge In First Clip From Tomorrow's New Episode, "Bright Eyes"

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS - PART 2 Is Likely To Disappoint Fans Of BATMAN BEYOND - SPOILERS

X-MEN '97: Former Showrunner Beau DeMayo Says Series Will "Touch On" Mr. Sinister's Racism

BIG HERO 6 Producer Reveals Why We STILL Haven't Got A Sequel To Disney Animation's Marvel Movie

Gaming

GTA 5 Voice Actor Reveals Plans For "Agent Trevor" DLC Before Rockstar Apparently Scrapped It

TALES OF THE SHIRE: A LORD OF THE RINGS GAME Official Announcement Trailer Released

FALLOUT Series Showrunners Strongly Hint Season 2 Will Take Us To An Iconic Location From The Games

Billie Eilish Headlines FORTNITE FESTIVAL Season 3

LaKeith Stanfield To Star In Film Based On EL PASO, ELSEWHERE Vampire Video Game

Comedy Central Orders 10-Episode GOLDEN AXE Animated Series From Mike McMahan And Joe Chandler

Anime & Manga

New Trailer For GAROUDEN: THE WAY OF THE LONE WOLF Released Ahead Of Netflix Debut

Netflix's ONE PIECE Finds New Showrunner In PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS' Joe Tracz

DRAGON BALL SUPER Interval Special Announced By Jump While Manga Remains On Indefinite Hiatus

New Teaser And Key Art For Live-Action TRILLION GAME Movie

Netflix's PARASYTE: THE GREY Is Now Streaming; Here's What The Critics Are Saying

MY HERO ACADEMIA Tops X-MEN '97, INVINCIBLE And More In Social Media Engagement

Horror

BLINK TWICE: Channing Tatum Invites You To "Pussy Island" In First Trailer For Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut

THE WATCHERS New Trailer Sees Dakota Fanning Terrorised In Ishana Night Shyamalan's Directorial Debut

EVIL DEAD RISE Director Lee Cronin Shares Gruesome New BTS Photos To Mark Movie's One-Year Anniversary

Happy 4/20! Check Out The Red Band Trailer For New Stoner Horror Movie TRIM SEASON

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

Action Movies & TV