RYAN PENAGOS: Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a.
the Scarlet Witch, has been a beloved and iconic character
throughout her many films and series in the MCU.
To explore Wanda's visual evolution,
I'm chatting with Marvel Studios Director of Visual
Development Andy Park.
What up, Andy?
What's up, Ryan?
How's it going?
It's going great.
So Andy, you've been working with Wanda since her beginnings
in the MCU.
What do you think makes her such a strong character?
She is arguably one of if not the most powerful superhero in
the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
But I think besides her obvious power set that
makes her powerful, the thing that makes her
such a strong character is more her journey.
We really grow to love this character,
mainly because of our heart.
She has a deep love for her loved ones,
starting, obviously, with her parents and the tragedy
of that, to her brother, Pietro, to eventually, Vision, and then
her created kids, Billy and Tommy.
And I think that is reflected in the visual looks
that we've helped establish.
Yeah.
And of course, but that's a big process, right?
So in those first couple of films,
she has a huge evolution, and you were right there for it.
Andy, could you walk us through some of that process,
the design thought that you were going through
in those first couple of films?
Starting from her introduction in Avengers: Age of Ultron,
where she's not a superhero yet, but she's kind of trying
to figure out who she is, I knew I wanted to bring in something
that really hearkened to her classic look,
so that when the audience sees it, they're like,
OK, I could see that that's a nod to the comic book
classic look without going there, because it doesn't
make sense for the story.
So of course, the red jacket was kind of a must.
But then, it becomes about, like, what type of jacket,
and what is the actual look.
Are the sleeves rolled up?
Doing a lot of iterations.
And then, eventually, the costume designer,
Alexandra Byrne, did an amazing job of actualizing it
on Elizabeth Olsen.
The next time we got to see Wanda Maximoff
was in Captain America: Civil War.
So the idea was that she's still not
a full-on superhero, so we're not wanting to go there yet.
My thinking was taking the things that
are iconic about her-- the red leather jacket,
and just trying to heighten it a little bit.
And then, eventually, Judianna Makovsky,
the costume designer-- she ran with it.
And working with Elizabeth Olsen,
eventually, the idea of her having, like,
more of a corset underneath the jacket--
that kind of was implemented.
After Captain America: Civil War, leading up to Avengers:
Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame,
there was no mandate to change or update Wanda's look.
So the look that you saw from Captain America: Civil War
was maintained all the way through Avengers Endgame.
Well, next, we get to see many new looks
for Wanda in Marvel Studios' WandaVision, of course.
What was it like for you to develop
the character's visual identity in new ways here?
ANDY PARK: WandaVision was one of my favorite projects
to lead the visual development team on.
There were so many different looks that Wanda went through,
and all credit goes to Mayes Rubeo, the costume designer,
because she was responsible for all
those different looks from the '60s sitcoms,
to '70s '80s, all that kind of stuff.
Myself, I was responsible for designing the end suit
that you see in the final episode.
Yes!
And of course, that moment being the debut of the Scarlet Witch.
So cool-- everybody was waiting for it.
What was it like designing that iconic, iconic look?
Definitely looking into the originator, Jack Kirby,
as well as John Byrne, and then more modern iterations
as well, like Kevin Wada.
He did, like, more of the more contemporary designs,
with the kind of more bejeweled-crown look.
Yes, the crown!
We finally got the crown!
[CHUCKLES] I finally get to have my wish, and probably
the fans' wishes, too.
Right?
There was still a question of, will it ever solidify,
or will it just be like an effect that you see?
And then, for me, you know, I'm always pushing.
Effect is cool, but it's got to solidify, right?
[CHUCKLES] So definitely, starting with the crown,
and then iterating on doing so many different versions
of the costume.
There's a lot of little Easter eggs
that I like threw in there in the costume.
There are some details like in the color area,
lot of negative space.
And one in particular-- right around her clavicle
collarbone area, right in the center,
where it makes a little hexagon, and it's definitely
a nod to Vision's Mind Stone.
Little other details, like in her bodice area--
there's a W shape, and then it goes to a V--
V for Vision.
And then, throughout the costume,
there's a lot of V's throughout.
So I thought that was really cool, too.
We meet the Scarlet Witch again in Marvel Studios' Doctor
Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,
and of course, we see Wanda.
She's realizing her powers in ways we've never seen before.
It's very cool, very scary.
Andy, how did you approach the evolution of the Scarlet Witch?
Leading into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,
her design was just going to be the WandaVision costume.
It wasn't until later that they decided
to add the sleeves to cover that up,
and then to what extent are textures added,
and all that kind of stuff.
It was something that, eventually,
the costume designer, Graham Churchyard, did a great job of.
I loved how he incorporated the sleeves,
but then you see it kind of looks
like it's getting corrupted.
And then, the texture that he gave
on the bodice area of the WandaVision suit
looks like it's a crack.
It almost looks like it's like a broken heart.
It really worked to give her story from, like, the hero
that she became in the final episode in WandaVision
to a more villainous spin--
a dark, corrupted version of that hero outfit.
It all worked for her story.
Well, I think Wanda's story throughout the MCU
can really be told through all of her looks.
What do you hope that her designs
convey most to the viewers?
When I was starting on Wanda, her look--
probably 2013, 2014-- around there--
I had no idea.
I don't even know if they knew exactly
where she was going to end up.
I think it's always just such a rewarding experience
to be able to be part of that journey.
We're telling her story, and I'm part of that, you know,
even though my part is, like, more of the visuals.
But people love seeing these characters,
not just reading about them.
And that's why you have so many cosplayers that
express their love for these characters,
and they dress up like them.
When people see Wanda and her journey,
I hope that they can take those looks
and just kind of see how far she's gone.
Her story is mysterious.
Her story is tragic.
But it's that story and that whole journey
that makes it so powerful.
And hopefully, you know, her visuals show that.
They certainly do, Andy.
Thanks for chatting with us.
And thank you for all your hard work
bringing this character to life.
Everybody else out there watching?
I know you're like me.
You want to relive every single Wanda moment.
Go watch the entire Marvel Studios catalog streaming
right now on Disney Plus.