An Alternate Reality: A Scarlet Witch/Vision Sitcom/Springboard

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany star in a six-episode television series that takes the Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff and the Vision relationship to a number of alternate-reality levels (and indeed after the Vision's apparent, big-screen demise). 

The series, entitled WandaVision is also based on the X-Men, spinoff submission, House of M, while acting as a dreamy and unorthodox springboard for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, Loki: the Series, Fantastic 4 (2021/2); Captain Marvel 2 and the live-action Spider-verse.

WandaVision's springboarding levels (or rather zapping interludes) are sit-com based (with the likes of I Love Lucy, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, My Favorite Martian and My Living Doll {among no doubt others} incorporated), which makes this new, Disney product a quirky turn within the Marvel/Avengers, live-action franchise, which beyond Guardians of the Galaxy and some Tony Stark jesting has played it predominately straight. (Okay, let's throw in Hulk's slamming of Loki in Avengers 1, as well. That was an uninhibited hoot and a half.) 

The show's concept also holds an obvious Twilight Zone influence. ("What's in the Box" and the Zone-ish Pleasantville come to mind.) However, at this point, the clear, culminating cause behind WandaVision is at best speculative. (Will it stay carefree or spawn a deep, ironic message?) No matter the outcome, what I've seen so far looks real warm yet trippy. (That the trailers feature the Platters' "Twilight Time" and the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" only strengthens the effect.)

Whether WandaVision's surreal spin is a hit with fans and erects a practical ramp for Marvel: Phase 4 (or falls to the unfortunate wayside like NBC/DC's Powerless) should be determined soon enough. The multiverse experiment premieres on Disney+ this Jan 15th: a mere, parallel hop, skip and jump away.