Jac Shaeffer, the showrunner behind WandaVision and the upcoming spin-off Agatha All Along, was not a Marvel fan before getting hired by the studio giant in 2021. In fact, she was more of a “sci-fi kind of gal” until she was tasked with writing Natasha Romanov’s origin story in Black Widow. Shaeffer revealed this during a Fan Expo Canada panel promoting the new Disney+ original series, stating that she was intrigued by Scarlett Johansson’s performance as the character and what they could do with her standalone story.
Shaeffer never read the comics and instead relied on her producer, Mary Livanos, to set the tone for the project. She found this approach to be beneficial, allowing her to bring a fresh perspective to the character and the Marvel universe. Shaeffer’s lack of knowledge about the comics also led her to focus on creating standalone stories, rather than continuations of previous events.
Jac Shaeffer
This approach will continue with Agatha All Along, which will pick up where WandaVision left off, but can be enjoyed by viewers who may not have seen the miniseries. The show follows Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn, as she gos on a quest to reclaim her lost powers. Along the way, she meets an unlikely ally in Teen, played by Joe Locke, and faces new mystical threats in a complex world of magic and intrigue.
Shaeffer’s unique perspective has led to a show that is not bound by the constraints of the comics or previous storyline. Agatha All Along is a standalone series that explores the world of magic and introduces new characters, allowing viewers to jump in without prior knowledge of the Marvel universe. The show will be released on Disney+ on September 18, offering fans a fresh take on the Marvel universe.
