Jac Schaeffer, the former showrunner of WandaVision, who is now lending her talents to the latest MCU series, Agatha All Along, has slowly gotten used to dealing with fan theories. But, when she oversaw the MCU’s first full foray into television, they were a great source of anxiety. The new series sees Kathryn Hahn return as Agatha Harkness, now leading her own solo series. Much like the MCU’s first Disney+ series, WandaVision, Agatha All Along is set to be filled with twists and turns, constantly throwing audiences off the scent. But, the expectation of twists also comes with a tidal wave of fan theories.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Jac Schaeffer reflected on her Marvel career, and remembered a time when fan theories would completely unnerve her. Before the release of WandaVision, fans had worked themselves into a frenzy, theorizing that Mephisto would make his MCU debut in the series (played by Al Pacino, no less), and that Reed Richards would make a surprise appearance years before Fantastic Four: First Steps was announced.
As a result, Schaeffer was worried about disappointing fans when they realized those theories weren’t true. “At the time, with WandaVision, I took the fan theories a little personally, and I feel like I’ve changed since then,” she said. The showrunner learned a valuable lesson from her more experienced Marvel alumni, who had already learned to shut out the overabundance of fan theories circling across the internet:
“Everyone at Marvel during WandaVision was so relaxed about the fan theories, and I now understand that there are always going to be theories. You just have to do your work and do it as best you can and hope that the audience enjoys the journey of it. So I am not as preoccupied with them as I was.”
Jen Schaeffer then explained the double-whammy of pressure she now feels while doing press for Agatha All Along. As well as keeping the show’s twists and unexpected reveals a secret, the showrunner is also conscious of not blowing inconsequential elements out of proportion, leading to more incorrect fan theories. She explained:
“But, yes, the short answer is there are a handful of things that of course I can’t explain. I have been very careful with the language that I use in order to protect things.”
Fans Are Already Theorizing Which Characters Will Appear in Agatha All Along
The first episode of Agatha All Along is set to drop in exactly one week (September 18), and the internet is awash with fan theories about Marvel Comics characters who are seemingly “confirmed” to appear in the new show. History loves repeating itself, as a large portion of the fan base believe that Mephisto will now be making his MCU debut in Agatha All Along (although fans have given up on an Al Pacino appearance).
The biggest source of fan theories is Joe Locke’s mystery character.Locke’s character officially goes by “Teen” in the marketing material and on IMDb. It is expected that the character will be part of some big reveal, introducing an incredibly popular Marvel Comics character to the MCU. Let’s just hope it’s not another Ralph Bonher situation.
Agatha All Along
premieres on Disney+ on September 18, 2024.
