WandaVision is not only full of homages to sitcoms throughout the decade, but to Easter eggs that are surely going to pay off in a larger story for Phase 4 of the MCU. This means that Marvel Studios is forever in danger of someone spilling a secret that will unravel the rest of the story – unless the actors they hire don’t know the details they’re guarding.
Debra Jo Rupp, who plays Mrs. Hart, is no stranger to the sitcom life after portraying a matriarch on That 70s Show. But she’s certainly a stranger to the world of superhero comics, though that hasn’t stopped her from imbuing layers into ever moment of her screen time. The actress spoke to Screen Rant about how WandaVision was pitched to her and what might be in store.
Did you grow up reading comics at all?
Debra Jo Rupp: No, I would read the comics in the newspapers. You have to realize we're talking 50s and early 60s for that period of my life. I was not a big comic book person. I would read the comics in the newspaper, and that's about it.
But I knew Marvel, and I sort of knew superheroes. Like, I knew Thor. The Iron... See, look at me; look at how pathetic I am. I'm so pathetic. I knew Superman and those people, but I did not know from Marvel. I thought Marvel was cartoons, and then I thought it was comic books. And that's what I knew. And I thought, "Who's going to see these movies? These are cartoons jumping off of buildings."
What's fascinating about this show is watching the setting and the characters throughout the eras. What about your character stays consistent throughout most of the show?
Debra Jo Rupp: Oh, that's a really good question. It's hard to tell you that from the first episode. I would say just that little thing that you see in the second episode is more consistent of me.
This show must have had an interesting pitch. How was WandaVision described to you?
Debra Jo Rupp: The director called me, and they wanted someone who was very familiar with sitcoms, because the other actors were not as familiar. For this first scene, they wanted someone very familiar.
I've been doing a lot of theater because it's my favorite. Well, I say my favorite about a lot of things, I'm realizing. It is one of the things I very much enjoy. My favorite is an audience; a live audience gives you energy. I had just worked at Matt Shakman's theater, the Geffen, in LA. He knew me, and he said they wanted someone with sitcom experience, and then someone that could handle the dramatic part of it. I don't think that they mentioned "chew the scenery," I think I just added that in for my own pleasure. But that's how that came about.
Is your character based on a comic book character? If so, without telling me who, can you describe her role in all of this?
Debra Jo Rupp: You know what? I can't. I don't even know. I don't know enough about comic books. I'm the worst to try to get secrets out of from Marvel, because I don't know anything. I know nothing.
Your big moment was at that dinner scene with Mr. Hart, when he was choking. And all you can say was, "Stop it," over and over again. Was there particular direction for that scene that you can share?
Debra Jo Rupp: There was a particular direction, and I cannot share it.
How did you balance the comedic levity with elements of horror? Was that part of the direction process? Because it seemed very surreal.
Debra Jo Rupp: Yes, it was part of the direction process. The balancing was one of the more interesting things I've been asked to do, I have to say. It was very fun. Because I also knew where it fit in, and I knew the impact it was going to have. So, that was really fun for me.
It was like doing two things at once. One inside, and one on the face. That's what it was. And I'm not saying anything else. You can't pull it out of me.
Can you talk to me about how Mr. and Mrs. Hart view Wanda and Vision?
Debra Jo Rupp: You have really good questions, Joseph. I think Mrs. Hart knows that Paul Bettany works for her husband. I think she's always very polite and nice, but she thinks they may be a little odd. A little odd but lovely. The breakfast for dinner? It's very odd, but maybe they've traveled a lot. I don't know. I think Mrs. Hart, in the beginning of the first scene, thinks they're lovely. And then I think it goes those other places.
How much of the show was explained to you before jumping on the project? I know how secretive Marvel can be.
Debra Jo Rupp: I was given a very general view. But, you see, I don't take no for an answer. I just kept asking questions until I was like a gnat that they could not swat away one more time. So, I kept getting a little more information and a little more information. And then I would be in scenes where there was a need to know, so I have my whole little story going on here of what I believe is happening.
These scripts seem so simple, but they're so detail-oriented. Are you aware of any specific style of screenwriting, or were you able to collaborate at all with Matt on some of the direction for your character?
Debra Jo Rupp: No, it was laid out. And you're absolutely right. When you look at the script, it seems very simple. It's very simple, and then when I watch it, I go, "Oh, my God! I didn't know this fit into this and fit into this." It is really very complicated. I didn't know that. I'm just like, "My line, my line my line." It seems simple, but it's so not. It's fascinating to me.
What's your favorite era in the show to be a part of, and what era fits your character the best?
Debra Jo Rupp: I very much enjoyed the 50s. But I think that the essence of Mrs. Hart is what you saw of her in the second scene.
Obviously, I'm a huge fan of That 70s Show. What were you able to take from That 70s Show and apply to this Marvel Studios project?
Debra Jo Rupp: I actually don't think that they intersected much, other than the genre. For me, when I do period things, I have to figure out where women were at that period of time. There's a more contained, more repressed feeling in the 50s. Every bit is enjoyable and lovely, but the women were in a different place than they are now. Once I figured that out, then I'm pretty good in that era.
Mrs. Hart is in WandaVision, but could there be a chance that the character pops up in any other MCU property?
Debra Jo Rupp: I do not know. But I very much hope so.
What excites you the most about the future of WandaVision?
Debra Jo Rupp: All those little Twilight Zone moments that happen. Those are genius. And some of them are very surprising to me, because you read it on a script and it's like the light blinks. But then you see it and you go, "Ohhhh!" Those are the things that I look forward to. And I look forward to the audience reaction, because I'm telling you, these Marvel people pick everything apart. You are probably one of them.
