Summary
Marvel Studios has found success on the big screen, however, the studio hasstruggled to replicate that successon the small screen. Ever since branching out into television, Marvel Studios has tried to tackle new genres with each new project. WithShe-Hulk,the studio set out to make a legal comedy, whileThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierwas meant to be a thriller. Now withAgatha All Along, the studio is hoping to make a scary, horror project.
Unfortunately, while Marvel Studios is hopingAgatha All Alongwill be a true horror project, it seems unlikely that the series will live up to its promise. Looking at Marvel’s television streak, the only shows that truly lived up to their hype wereWandaVisionandLoki. CanAgatha All Alongbecome another exception to the rule and successfully deliver a scary, horror series when it debuts later this year?
Will Agatha End up Being like She-Hulk?
Marvel Studios has always tried to push the limits when it comes to superhero projects. Whether it be on the big screen or on the small screen, the studio has always tried to be more than just another superhero title.Captain America: The Winter Soldieris a perfect example of this - it’s not merely a superhero film, it’s also a political thriller that pushes the limits of superhero storytelling. The franchise has tried to branch out with its Disney+ titles. Marvel tried to make a Halloween special withWerewolf by Night, a special presentation that was also released in black and white. Along with the Halloween special, Marvel has varied its shows by choosing to make each new release special.Ms. Marvel, for example, focused on Kamala’s life as she struggled with being a hero and a teenager. WhileShe-Hulkfocused on Jennifer Walter’s as she struggled as a lawyer and with her love life. The latter series, which was highly anticipated given its stellar cast, unfortunately failed to live up to the premise of a legal comedy. In fact, the series was meant with plenty of negative feedback because there was too much comedy. While the trailer forAgatha All Alongseems to promise a horror series that might actually deliver on being scary, it’s also possible the series will be anotherShe-Hulk.
Rumors have suggestedAgatha All Alongwill be a musical, something the trailers seem to be avoiding thus far. The teasers have also showcased the typical comedy fans come to know from Marvel Studios productions. For a series that’s beinghailed as both “scary” and a “horror” project, it’s unclear how the humor and musical aspects will work in the long run. It seems as if the series is being set up to disappoint fans that are hoping for a horror project - especially afterDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesswas initially hailed as scary. Will Agatha, which is a spinoff ofWandaVision,be more in line withShe-HulkorWerewolf by Nightin terms of delivering on its promises.
Agatha All Along Could Surprise Everyone
While Marvel Studios might’ve had issues in the past with sticking the ending with its Disney+ shows,Agatha All Alongcould be an exception. After all, Jac Schaeffer, who createdWandaVision, is back forAgatha All Along.WandaVisionhas been hailed as one of Marvel Studios' biggest successes on the small screen, having successfully tackled television tropes, while also dealing with Wanda’s grief. Given Schaeffer’s involvement, the series feels like it’s poised for success. Even if it isn’t truly scary or much of a horror series,Agatha All Alongis sure to deliver a witchy delight for fans in time for Halloween. Then again,Agatha All Alongcould very well exceed expectations and deliver exactly what its selling. Marvel Studios has been incredibly secretive when it comes toAgatha All Along, frombeing coy regarding the show’s title, to making sure not to fully revealthe cast of charactersthat’ll be featured in the show alongsideAgatha Harkness.
The studio is clearly excited to bring Kathryn Hahn as Agatha and dig into the lore of the witch and her powers. And it’s clear Aubrey Plaza’s villain is bound to put Agatha through torture as she seeks to gain her powers back bywalking the witch’s road. This leaves room for the series to explore its horror aspects. The series can very much be the series Marvel Studios needs to showcase it has found its footing on the small screen. It can be scary, it can be a horror series, and it can very much be a comedic musical, too.Agatha All Alonghas the potential to surprise everyone and avoid falling flat like its predecessors.
Agatha All Along will debut on Disney+ with two episodes on September 18th.
