In episodes two and three, Monica posed as Wanda’s neighbor “Geraldine” until Wanda caught her being a cheater. Despite the mystery surrounding Geraldine’s true identity, Parris is pleased that Marvel has revealed that she played Rambeau on Comic-Con 2019, and did not wait until the confirmation of episode four.
‘Kevin Feige performed on stage at Comic-Con and was like,’ Monica! “So I do not know that they ever thought of anything else,” Parris explained. “It was one of the most wonderful, enjoyable things to experience, especially now that we’re all in a pandemic and quarantine.”
In a recent conversation with THR, Terg Parris WandaVision‘s ‘epic and unbelievably sad’ ending, which she learned from Akira Akbar’s attack on 11-year-old Rambeau in Captain Marvel and the chaos of shooting episode four’s tragic hospital.
How long was your original audition process, and did you manage to keep everything a secret?
I could keep it all a secret because I forgot it. (Laugh.) A few weeks have passed, and as an artist you do these auditions and then you have to let it go. I have to forget about it. The audition itself was not very long. I put myself on tape and sent in a tape. And then I get notes and do it one more time because I do not understand the sitcom aspect. I was like, ‘I do not quite understand. You guys said it was for Marvel? I’m unsure. “So they were just like, ‘Enjoy it.’ So I did it again, sent it and forgot it. And a few weeks later they were like, “You got the part,” and I was like, “Yay! What’s the character?” I did not know the character yet, but I found out it was Monica Rambeau, played by Akira Akbar Captain Marvel. We saw her as a young girl, and now I would be the adult version. So it was nice.
Speaking of Akira, did you maintain specific details or manners from her actions in Captain Marvel?
I would not say that there were specific ways, just like trying to capture her being of who she was. Who you are as a young child is not necessarily who you will be when you grow up, but I do believe that there may be certain aspects of personality. She was such a curious, ambitious, fun and very smart little girl. Therefore, I tried to use her being forward.
Was there, to your knowledge, ever talk that you would only announce that you were playing a character named Geraldine, who would save Monica Rambeau’s revelation for episode four?
(Laugh.) I’ve never heard of it. Kevin Feige performed on stage at Comic-Con and was like, ‘Monica!’ So I do not know that they ever thought of anything else.
Episode three created quite the mystery surrounding Geraldine’s identity, and given how mysterious Marvel usually is, I was just a little surprised that they did not try to pull over quickly.
Listen! Do not take my Comic-Con 2019 experience away from me. (Laugh.) It was one of the most wonderful, delicious things to experience, especially now that we are all in a pandemic and quarantine. Let me have it that way. (Laugh.) You’re like, “They should have saved it!” Neeeee! Neeeee! (Laugh.)
You definitely have a point there. Episode four still plays a surprise to viewers who do not follow Marvel’s cast. Anyway, since Monica came back via the blip, she’s had quite a whirlwind. In the space of three weeks, she learned of Mary’s passing, was sucked in – and then ejected – by Wanda’s witch. She therefore had very little time to grieve Mary or reconcile her own disappearance of five years. Do you think she will have to address these traumas sooner rather than later?
I think she addresses them in the best way she knows, through work. She loves her job very much. Although cases of missing persons are usually not in her wheelhouse, it has changed much more than that; it’s more like a missing thing. And as soon as Monica sees Wanda and realizes that she is grieving, she recognizes their equal experiences and that they are both sad. So I think Monica handles it in the best way. I am not saying that this is the most effective and therapeutic way, but I feel that she is trying to reconcile with her own sadness by helping Wanda with her.
In episode four, we see Wanda expel Monica from the witch. Did you get wire work for that trick?
Yes I have. It was my first time. It was very uncomfortable and challenging because you have Lizzie [Elizabeth Olsen] on the ground, with this amazing performance, and I’m like … (Parris screamed silently from pain.) It was awful. (Laugh.) I was not used to the tightness and so many straps over me, while also trying to be emotional at the moment. It was challenging but fun. Everyone laughed, I laughed and we just tried to get through it. Matt Shakman had to give me extra tasks for those because ooh.
It seems like Monica has a problem with Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), and most people think it’s because Carol was not around when Maria got sick. Will the rest of WandaVision gives clarity on this matter, or is this thread stored for later?
What I can say is that we still have some deliveries, and we also know that Monica will be there Captain Marvel II. So there is a lot of real estate for us to explore the relationship. I do not want to ruin it for anyone, so I will just leave it at that.
Captain Marvel II is also a Candy man reunion between you and filmmaker Nia DaCosta. When you find out you’re going to play Monica again Captain Marvel II, was Nia already attached to director?
No comment. I do not know if I am giving something away by saying something. So I will not say anything about it, but I am very excited to join Nia and that we will get back together. And to join Brie and Iman [Vellani]. It’s just going to be a great experience, especially with Nia being the first black woman to direct a Marvel Studios film. These are going to be exciting times.
Was there a festive call between the two of you at one point?
I call Nia all the time, so yes, absolutely. I’m like, ‘Hey, girl! I’m just excited. OK goodbye. “This is the call. (Laugh.)
One of Marvel’s best VFX shots takes place when Monica returns from the blip. How did they handle that shot that day?
I can not remember it. I may have had dots, but I can not remember. I am sorry.
Did the chaotic hospital scene require a lot of practice because there were very specific story reports throughout?
Yes, the fact that you had the people who were physically present, the chaos of it and then the imaginary people we had to see. They were there too, and I think they had to step in or something. It was very technical. The camera was a Steadicam, so the camera operator actually held it and followed you. So there was a dance to make sure I hit points, because visual effects need this space so they can reach a whole person later. So it was definitely a complicated dance, and also the emotional state I had to be in was another layer of it. So it was a very specific setup and scene.
Since you can say nothing specific about the remaining three episodes, can you spare a few adjectives that best describe your reaction when you read it?
Epic and incredibly sad. I mean, the whole show is incredibly sad for me, but I put the words together.
***
WandaVision currently streaming on Disney +.