The MCU has used comedy in its movies and shows, from the sassy Tony Stark to the comedic overtones in Hawkeye and Ms. Marvel. But She-Hulk: Attorney at Law tests the limits of a comedy show mixed with the visual creativity a Marvel project needs.
Co-director and executive producer Kat Coiro has recently shared the balance between the MCU’s usual projects and how She-Hulk: Attorney at Law differs from other MCU shows. The comedy-legal drama, streaming on Disney+ with weekly episodes every Thursday since August 18, 2022, has made its mark in the MCU by being the first outright TV comedy in the franchise.
The show follows attorney Jennifer Walters and shows how her life drastically changes when she is infected with the blood of her cousin The Hulk and becomes She-Hulk. The show stars Tatiana Maslany, Mark Ruffalo, Jameela Jamil, Benedict Wong, Tim Roth, Charlie Cox, and Ginger Gonzaga.
The show has so far released two episodes and has already set itself apart in two very prominent aspects from other MCU shows.
The show sees regular fourth-wall breaks by Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters as she converses with fans to show her origin story, make jokes, or simply vent her frustration at the latest surprise life has sprung on her.
The MCU show WandaVision has also had a few fourth-wall breaks with a look into the camera by Wanda here and by Tommy there, and a couple of dialogs to the camera. But only Jen Walters/She-Hulk has actually spoken to the camera like she is actually talking to the audience on multiple occasions.
In an interview with Variety, Kat Coiro spoke about finding the correct number of instances where She-Hulk/ Jennifer Walters addresses the audience to maintain the show’s flow and not seem forced.
There was more scripted, and we knew we would pepper it in and use it when it’s appropriate. You want to use it as a wink to the audience, drawing them in, but if you do too much, the audience loses sight of the story and the characters. If she’s turning to the camera every three minutes, you’re not going to be invested in her friends, dates, family, and cousin. But I think we ended up finding it along the way.
Deadpool has also had many instances where the titular character speaks directly to the audience, but since he is not in the MCU, we haven’t taken his fourth-wall breaks into account.
Daredevil, who is a part of the MCU, as proved by his previous appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home and his upcoming cameo in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, followed by his solo series announced by Kevin Feige at SDCC 2022, has already covered the legal drama part in the MCU.
But She-Hulk Attorney is the only show in the MCU that has imbued the comedy genre in such depth into its story. Kat Coiro also spoke on finding the right balance of jokes and punchlines while keeping in touch with the MCU tone.
I come from a background of straight comedy. And so, it was using all the tools I’ve picked up along the way in the comedy world but then elevating it visually.
The legal drama has already established the relationship between She-Hulk and Hulk, Hulk’s journey after the Blip, She-Hulk’s superhero identity bleeding into her life, and the introduction of the 2008 film’s character the Abomination, who we last saw in Shang-Chi and The Lord of the Ten Rings.
With a new episode every Thursday, the nine-part TV series will continue to show Jennifer Walters fit herself in the shoes of a reluctant superhero to take down evil in the court of law.
About She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is an American superhero television series created by Jessica Gao for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, the show is a part of Phase Four of the MCU.
Jennifer Walters, Attorney to superhumans, must balance her job and identity as She-Hulk and decide which path is for her. Her journey is hurdled by dangerous enemies like The Abomination and Titania. Her cousin Bruce Banner trains her to live life as a green-skinned superhero.
The comedy-legal drama premiered on Disney+ on August 17, 2022, with weekly episodes every Wednesday. The show stars Tatiana Maslany, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Roth, Jameela Jamil, Benedict Wong, and Charlie Cox.
Source: Variety
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